How to Get Married in Iowa for an Unforgettable Midwestern Wedding

The Midwest is comprised of 12 states recognized for their natural beauty and friendly people, including Iowa. That said, it's not unexpected that you'd search for how to get married in Iowa because who doesn't want to start the next chapter of their love story in a beautiful place surrounded by beautiful people? "Iowa offers a hometown and caring experience without having to compromise on quality," says Becky Pingel, Iowa-based owner and founder of Mostly Becky Event Group.

To learn more about getting married in Iowa, from how to obtain a marriage license in Iowa to Iowa wedding ideas, we tapped Pingel and Brianne Ackerland, certified wedding planner and owner of Stress-Free Weddings, Inc. Read on for our step-by-step guide on how to tie the knot in Iowa.

In this article:

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

How to Get a Marriage License in Iowa

Regardless of whether you're obtaining a wedding license in Iowa as a resident or out-of-state couple, you'll need to pay $35 when you and your partner submit your Iowa marriage license application, which can be done in-person or online depending on the county recorder's office you choose. "Some counties in Iowa require that a third party that knows the couple also be present when applying for their license," Ackerland explains.

That said, you don't necessarily have to tie the knot in the county in which you applied (Linn County, Polk County or Johnson County to name a few). However, your wedding does have to take place in Iowa for the marriage license to be valid. As far as the state of Iowa marriage laws go, both parties must be 18 years of age or older. If either or both to-be-weds are 16 or 17 years of age, a legal guardian or parent is required to sign a consent form. Furthermore, Acklerland notes there is a three-day (business day) waiting period once you apply for a marriage license in Iowa before you can move forward with your ceremony (provided two witnesses and an officiant are present).

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Notable Wedding Locations in Iowa

Although a majority of Iowa is conducive to tying the knot, we've listed some notable cities and Iowa wedding venues our wedding planning experts recommend so you can spend more time planning and less time researching.

Des Moines

Tying the knot in the capital of Iowa is popular amongst couples for its ease of access and proximity to hotels and airports, Ackerland notes. The city also contains some popular wedding venues including the Des Moines Art Center, Rollins Mansion and the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden.

Iowa City

If hosting your wedding in a walkable city is non-negotiable, consider Iowa City. You can exchange vows at one venue before simply walking over to your reception venue. Some local vendors Ackerland recommends throughout the Iowa City area include Beautifully Bloomed and Little Lights on the Lane.

Cedar Rapids

Although Cedar Rapids is known for its abundance of tourist attractions including the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art and Brucemore, which may be intriguing for any out-of-state guests traveling to celebrate with you, this city is also home to big and small wedding venues such as The Harmac, Ackerland notes.

Davenport

Although Davenport is about a three-hour drive from the Des Moines International Airport, many couples choose to tie the knot in this Quad City for its downtown area and proximity to the Mississippi River. Ackerland notes that many couples seek out The Figge Art Museum to serve as the backdrop for their wedding festivities.

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

Ready to start planning a wedding in Iowa? You can refer to our step-by-step guide (which we've created with the help of our wedding planning experts) to help you make the most of this Midwestern state at all stages of your Iowa wedding planning journey.

1. Establish a Budget

Regardless of the size of your budget for your special day, setting one is pivotal and will help with the rest of your Iowa wedding planning process. The Knot Budget Advisor is a great tool to help you kickstart this process. After signing up for an account (which is free to do), you'll have access to monetary information for a variety of wedding elements based on the numbers reported by couples who previously tied the knot in your wedding locations of interest. When creating the budget for your Iowa wedding, you'll want to be mindful of the events that can influence the costs of different wedding factors. "Fall weddings happen during college football season and this greatly impacts the pricing and availability of hotels, shuttle services and traffic in and around the city," Ackerland explains.

2. Take Note of the Weather

Although some states experience consistent weather year-round, Iowa is not one of them. This is not necessarily negative but requires some extra advanced planning and research to select the best time of year that matches your wedding vision. Having said that, Ackerland notes that wedding season in Iowa typically falls between late April and early November. "During the summer months like July and August, it can be very hot, so outdoor weddings are popular but fresh flowers don't always love the heat and we do get tornados in the spring and fall so wind and rain can be an issue," she adds.

3. Reserve Your Venue

It is always a best practice to reserve your venue earlier rather than later (especially during wedding season). When it comes to the types of wedding venues in Iowa, the state offers a variety. "From rooftop urban ceremony spots, historical mansions with gorgeous garden spaces, wineries with rolling hills and open white barns with a wall of windows—there is a spot to fit everyone," Ackerland says. Although receiving word-of-mouth recommendations and asking your wedding planner for recommendations can be helpful when it comes to selecting your wedding venue, The Knot Vendor Marketplace is another great resource to view wedding venues in one place and filter based on price, distance and awards.

4. Utilize Iowa's Scenery

One component that draws couples to tie the knot in Iowa is its breathtaking scenery and landscape. "Iowa is a place of beautiful sunsets and wide open spaces," Pingel says. "Take advantage of this as golden hour or blue hour photos are truly unmatched." To most successfully leverage all that this Midwestern state has to offer landscape-wise, we recommend opting for hybrid venues and/or those featuring sweeping windows so that views can be enjoyed throughout the entirety of your celebration if kept indoors. That said, timing is crucial (whether that be for sunsets or the season within which you want to celebrate your love). "Ask the venue if they have photos from events held during the time of year you are hosting your event," Ackerland adds. Doing this will provide you and your partner with an idea of how the area will look and may be particularly beneficial if you plan on tying the knot in an area where crops are harvested.

5. Organize Transportation

Although some of Iowa's major cities such as Des Moines have access to ridesharing apps, that is not the case with all areas throughout the state. "When considering the location you choose to host your wedding, there are some venues that are more rural and don't have major hotel chains or ride-sharing available," Ackerland says. "I always stress to my couples the need to budget shuttle services if they are considering some of those venues." Some local wedding transportation vendors in the state include Majestic Limo and Royal Rides.

6. Seek Out Local Vendors

One of the great parts about tying the knot in Iowa is the ability to hire local vendors. If none initially come to mind and you don't know where to start, The Knot Vendor Marketplace can help you search by type, price and location. Some local vendors Ackerland and Pingel recommend include Shelly Sarver Designs, Unique Events and Hotel Julien Dubuque.