How to Get Married in Kansas

We love the Sunflower State for its open skies and graceful hills, which make it a beauty to tie the knot in. If you're lucky enough to do so, you'll need the low-down on how to get married in Kansas. We called in expert Whitney Craig of Confetti Events in the Kansas City area to share all her knowledge and advice. She says the state has a talented and epic community of vendors and that it's a pretty affordable place to get married—budgets tend to go further there than in larger cities and states. Plus, its location in the middle of the US makes it easy for guests to fly in and out of and a great halfway point for couples with families on the east and west coasts.

"Kansas is known for its picturesque falls, with lots of barn venues capturing the bespoke autumn vibes from pumpkin patches, apple orchards and lush rolling hills full of foliage, making for the perfect background for wedding photos," she says. Sounds dreamy enough to us. Here's your guide to getting married in Kansas.

In this article:

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

How to Get a Marriage License in Kansas

You can apply for a Kansas marriage license online. What do you need to get married in Kansas? In the application, you'll need to provide your full name, Social Security number, previous marriage details, name change request and date of birth. You won't be required to show an ID.

Keep in mind that there's a three-day to two-week waiting period, which means you must file, have it approved and wait 72 hours to 10 business days before picking it up at the courthouse. Marriage licenses are typically valid for 60 days to six months in Kansas. So if you and your fiancé do not live in Kansas, you'll need to check with the county you're getting married in and allow the minimum time for filling your Kansas wedding license.

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Notable Wedding Locations in Kansas

"If you want a traditional rustic wedding or something more modern farmhouse with a Joanna Gaines or Magnolia aesthetic, Kansas is the place for you to say 'I do,'" Craig says.

But while sunflowers, barbecue and barns never go out of style in the state, Kansas wedding venues can also be elegant and sophisticated—think rooftop ballrooms, marble-adorned grand staircases, epic focal point bars and dazzling chandeliers. As Craig puts it, "Kansas has a venue for everyone and every vision."

Whether you're looking for a small wedding venue or a wedding shower venue, take your pick from these popular cities.

Wichita

As Kansas' largest city, the former cow town of Wichita offers a midwestern cityscape and waterfront views. There are botanical gardens, a revitalized downtown and plenty of restaurants and bars for guests to enjoy while they're in town. It's an ideal option for a modern wedding venue.

Kansas City

Straddling the border of Kansas and Missouri, Kansas City is known for its jazz scene, barbecue food and sports teams. It's home to parks and historic architecture, both of which make it a beautiful place to get married. You can choose from city venues downtown or a more rural venue on the outskirts, and know that there are many tent rental vendors if you go down that path. It's also a popular place for bachelor and bachelorette parties.

Topeka

With gardens and churches, the capital of Kansas has no shortage of charming wedding venues. Topeka is full of history and art, making it a good option for culture buffs. Located in the middle of the state, it's also within driving distance to many of the state's more bucolic areas if you're looking for something like a barn wedding venue.

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

Planning a wedding has its joys—and its challenges. Luckily in Kansas, budgets go further, there's a great community of vendors and it's easily accessible for guests, according to Craig. Here are her top tips for planning a Kansas wedding.

1. Set a Budget

Before you start planning your dream Kansas wedding, set a budget. The last thing you want to do is fall in love with a venue or dress you can't afford. The Knot Budget Advisor, thanks to data from real couples, can give you a realistic idea of vendor and venue costs in your area.

2. Secure your Vendors Early

If you want your top choice of vendors, Craig advises booking 18 months out. Venues, photographers, videographers, planners and caterers are often the first to get booked in the state, so your best bet is to start scouring The Knot Vendor Marketplace to find your top choices early on. Some Kansas venues require you to use an in-house caterer or one from a preferred list, so you'll want to check with your venue.

Craig says Saturdays are the most popular wedding day, followed by Friday and Sunday. Saturdays in September and October can book up as early as two to three years in advance for top wedding venues, she warns.

3. Tour Venues

Craig's number one advice when looking for a wedding venue in Kansas is to take a full tour of each venue in person. "Walk through the kitchen, peek your head in the storage closets and restrooms, check out the loading dock and understand how to gain alley or back entrance entry," she says. "Snap a few pictures and save the informational packet with policies, dimensions, FAQs and preferred vendors."

Make sure to ask if the bar is in-house or if you can bring an outside vendor, and ask whether there is an unusually early noise ordinance deadline of 9 or 10 p.m.—this is typically early time to cut all music for barns and venues near subdivisions, Craig says. And don't forget to consider the distance and driving time to nearby hotels if your wedding venue is in a more rural location.

4. Consider the Weather

Peak wedding season for Kansas is May through October with fewer booking incentives, Craig says, whereas a March wedding may be more economical or include additional incentives like a complimentary photo booth or a champagne toast.

But keep in mind that Kansas weather is unpredictable. "One day, it could be 70 degrees, the next a snowstorm," Craig says. "Be sure to check a farmer's almanac or ask your venue about the general weather around your wedding date."

If your venue is outdoors, ask about a rain plan and the deadline to activate it—some venues want decisions two weeks out, while others are more flexible with the weather and have a 24-hour decision point. Regardless of whether you're getting married outside or not, you should also check in on an emergency weather plan in the event of a tornado or flash flooding, Craig advises.

5. Check Sports Schedules

"Check the sports schedules from NFL, MLB, MLS, NASCAR and colleges, with the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals consistently making playoffs," Craig advises. "The whole state goes crazy cheering for the hometown team with an influx of travelers. Wedding dates that fall over a major sporting event will have a harder time securing hotel room blocks and rehearsal dinner locations, while guests will face higher hotel prices and rental car rates due to demand."