How to Get Married in Indiana

With picturesque rural scenery and Midwestern charm, it's easy to see why couples want to get married in The Hoosier State. If you count yourself among them and are wondering how to get married in Indiana, then you've come to the right place. From Indiana marriage laws to a step-by-step planning guide, we've covered all the essentials for planning your Indiana wedding. The best part: It's hard not to find a hospitable vendor in the state to work with, making the planning process that much easier. "Indiana has a plethora of talented professionals that offer wonderful value in addition to having that warm Midwest hospitality," says Stacy Able of Stacy Able Photography. Here's everything you need to know.

In this article:

• How to Get a Marriage License in Indiana
• Notable Wedding Locations in Indiana
• How to Plan a Wedding in Indiana Step-by-Step

How to Get a Marriage License in Indiana

To get an Indiana marriage license, you'll need to go to the clerk's office with your fiancé in a county where one of you lives. If you live out of state, you'll have to apply for a license in the county you're getting married in. You must get your marriage license within 60 days of marrying in Indiana—there's no waiting period, so you can even get married right after getting your license. Make sure to bring a form of identification with you and be prepared to answer genealogical questions. An Indiana wedding license costs $25 for state residents and $65 for out-of-state residents, plus potential additional fees.

Notable Wedding Locations in Indiana

There's no shortage of Indiana wedding venues, from those that are world-renowned to some European-like gems, as Able puts it. To narrow down your options, you'll first want to decide where to get married in Indiana. These are some of the most popular cities in the state for weddings.

Indianapolis

If you're seeking Midwestern city appeal, then Indianapolis is where it's at. The state capital is brimming with all sorts of venues, from hotels to country clubs. Plus, it has a major international airport, which is convenient for out-of-town guests. "The airport is a pleasure, and there are several museums, monuments, coffee shops, breweries and so forth for guests to enjoy," Able says.

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Fort Wayne

Located in Northeastern Indiana, Fort Wayne is a historic option with unique architecture and public parks. The downtown area is home to the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, which is full of beautiful gardens for an outdoor wedding in the spring or summer.

Bloomington

This college town has both beautiful scenery and a vibrant energy, rich in the arts and a lively dining scene. It's the perfect place if you're marrying your college sweetheart, or if you're looking for a more rural wedding, the region is home to a number of stunning barn wedding venues.

How to Plan a Wedding in Indiana Step-by-Step

Now that you've chosen your Indiana destination, it's time to start planning a wedding! Getting married in Indiana isn't much different than getting married elsewhere in the US, but there are a few things you should keep in mind. The experts weigh in on what you need to know.

1. Set a Budget

You can't plan a wedding without knowing how much you can spend on it! To figure out how much an Indiana wedding may cost, use The Knot Budget Advisor. Couples provide real costs on everything from florists to photographers in the area, which can help you set realistic expectations.

2. Book a Venue

Wedding season in Indiana usually runs from April through December, with beautiful outdoor ceremony sites that work all spring, summer and fall, says Shelly Schmelter of The Bonnie View Floral Events.

But indoor wedding venues like these winter wedding venues are often the best choice for many couples, Able says. "Indiana's freezing winters and heavy snowfall may make you rethink holding your wedding between the months of December to February, but the humid summers can be too warm for an outdoor wedding," she explains. "Spring months bring heavy rainfall, but due to the temperate weather during the fall, there will be a large number of weddings held, so you will probably be competing for venues."

That means you'll want to book a venue ASAP while being mindful of the season. No matter whether you choose an indoor or outdoor venue, Indiana has a whole range of options. In Schmelter's Northern Indiana area alone, there are several barns in picturesque settings like an orchard and winery, plus a castle, industrial-style distillery and waterfront venue—not to mention the elegant country club venues on multiple golf courses.

3. Consider Your Guest Count

"In general, Midwestern weddings tend to have larger guest counts, which can overwhelm many couples with logistics and extra costs," Able says. Hiring a planner can help guide you through these issues so you can have the wedding of your dreams, she adds.

But that doesn't mean you can't have a more intimate affair—Indiana is full of small wedding venues for parties under 50 people. No matter the size or style of the wedding, Able says, it's key that you do what you want since every wedding is special.

4. Find Your Vendors

Planner or not, you'll want to start nailing down your vendors as soon as you can. The Knot Vendor Marketplace can help you find everything from DJs to photographers. When choosing the latter, Able recommends asking to see a full gallery or two and noting their style of editing. Ask yourself whether you want a light and bright natural light photographer, film or a more editorial or photojournalistic vibe—or a mixture of everything, which she says is often required on a wedding day.

You'll also want someone who is experienced with the Midwest's weather. "The Midwest has unpredictable weather and some darker venues that require photographers to pivot as well as have off-camera lighting and flash photography skills," she says.

5. Pick Your Flowers

One of your vendors will undoubtedly be a florist, and you should have fun working with them to come up with floral arrangements since Indiana has fields upon fields of flowers. "A wonderful plus to our area is all the multiple flower farms we have that we can get fresh cut flowers out of the fields and use to make our weddings so stunning and different," Schmelter says. Dahlias, zinnias, scabiosa, celosia, amaranth and lisianthus are just a few of the fresh beauties that can be incorporated into your bouquet.

6. Organize Transportation

If you have a lot of out-of-town guests, they'll likely be flying into Indianapolis International Airport. That's easy transportation-wise if you're getting married in the capital, but if you're having a more rural wedding outside of the city, your guests will need to figure out how to get around. Consider whether you want to hire shuttle transportation or leave it up to them to rent a car.