About us
We have a vision of your love, or ahavah, that extends beyond your big day and flows into the years of marriage ahead of you. It is our deepest desire that your ahavah will be celebrated in a way that you will cherish and remember for years to come.
What exactly is “Ahavah?”
Ahavah is a Hebrew word meaning “to love” and is both a verb and a noun. In essence, Ahavah, or love, is an act of doing, not merely a feeling. Ahavah reflects concepts of love across a broad spectrum including between a husband and wife, deep abiding friendship, and God’s love for his people.
Alisa Higgins
Venue Manager + Owner
First coming to the area to attend UNI, Alisa has loved living in the Cedar Valley for over a decade. She and her husband Mark met the Mahipalas in 2019 where their mutual love of Christ has been the foundation of their friendship and helped it grow over the years.
It has always been her passion to create beautiful spaces. At Ahavah, every design aspect has been intentionally curated by her unique eye for detail to provide an event space that is modern, yet easily bespoke to fit your own unique style and love story.
Alisa and Mark live in Cedar Falls with their daughter Delilah, and their Australian Shepherd Cooper.
Keith Mahipala
Owner
Sarah Mahipala
Owner
Keith and Sarah’s ahavah story started while they were each working in Fairbanks, Alaska. A year later God brought them to Iowa in 2019. Although they miss the mountains, the people and local community in the Cedar Valley have made this area home. They both have a deep passion for bringing people and the community together, which is why they decided to open Ahavah Venue.
Keith and Sarah live in Waterloo with their son Jayden and their Australian Shepherd Mia.