How to Get Married in Kentucky

Bluegrass music, bourbon distilleries and endless farmland—this is the Kentucky charm you'll enjoy once you decide how to get married in Kentucky. "Kentucky has this way of combining beauty with heart; it's really something special," says Lexington-based wedding photographer Conrhod Zonio. "The landscapes here are stunning, from rolling horse farms to Appalachian foothills and vineyards. But it's not just about how it looks—the settings feel alive and full of meaning, which makes weddings here so much more personal."

Plus, wedding venues in Kentucky have their own character without feeling overdone and every season offers something unique, which Zonio says always makes the photography great. "Add in the warmth of Southern hospitality, refined food culture, bourbon and how easy it is to get here with three major airports, and you've got the perfect cultural destination," he adds. Here's everything you need to know to plan your Kentucky wedding.

In this article:

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

How to Get a Marriage License in Kentucky

To apply for a Kentucky marriage license, you and your fiancé can visit any county clerk's office in the state. The license is valid for 30 days once it's issued, so it's best to put this on your to-do list only a month before. The good news is that Kentucky marriage laws don't include a waiting period in between getting your marriage license and saying "I do." You'll need to bring proof of identity and money (there's a fee), plus a completed form depending on the county you're in (some allow you to fill out the form during the appointment). Overall, getting a marriage license in KY is pretty simple.

Notable Wedding Locations in Kentucky

"Kentucky really is a beautiful state and underrated in so many ways," says Ashley Brown of Shining Light Photography in Lexington. Its central location within the Eastern US makes it a great meeting place for couples who may be trying to find a neutral spot to host guests coming from the more northern and southernmost states for a long weekend, she adds.

You can find a variety of dreamy Kentucky wedding venues all across the state but try these more popular areas first.

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Louisville

Located along Kentucky's northern border, Louisville has a thriving bourbon and horse scene—it is home to the Kentucky Derby, after all. As Kentucky's largest city, it has plenty of modern venues to choose from as well as many attractions and things to do for out-of-town guests.

Lexington

With a rich equestrian heritage, Lexington is a horse lover's paradise boasting a number of barn and farm wedding venues. Brown says that the city is "surrounded on all sides with seemingly endless acres of rolling hills, pristine world-renown horse farms and lush farmlands." You can also find many of the world's most loved distilleries all within a short drive of downtown, she adds.

Bowling Green

A college town in southern Kentucky, Bowling Green is an affordable area to get married in, with many parks, a historic downtown area and proximity to more rural Kentucky. Whether you choose a barn wedding venue past the city's outskirts or a locally-owned restaurant for a smaller wedding, you're sure to find a charming venue choice.

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

Getting married in Kentucky is a magical experience. "There's something truly special about the warmth and hospitality ingrained into the people within our state that makes you feel instantly welcome and more like an old friend than just a tourist passing through," Brown says.

If you're wondering how to plan a wedding in Kentucky once you've narrowed down a location, we've got all the steps laid out for you—and there are a few state-specific things to bear in mind throughout the process.

1. Set a Budget

Weddings in Kentucky are relatively affordable compared to other states, but you'll still want to start wedding planning with a rough estimate of just how much everything will cost. The Knot Budget Advisor, which includes data from real couples who got married in the area, can help with that.

2. Hire Your Planning and Design Team

If you want a wedding planner, Brown says you should hire one before picking your venue—especially if you're dreaming of an outdoor wedding. "To really experience the beauty of our surroundings found in Kentucky, you'll want to make sure you have a seasoned professional on board to execute your vision and the many logistics and moving parts that will come with pulling off a seamless experience for you and your guests outside of the traditional four walls of an indoor venue."

Since Kentucky doesn't have a ton of inspiring indoor event spaces for larger wedding guest counts over 200 people, she adds, a creative planning partner would be able to help think outside the box and transform a more traditional space.

3. Pick a Venue

When you're picking a venue, go for something that feels like you and that matches your style and mood, whether it's a rustic barn or a historic estate, Zonio advises. With so many options, from charming distilleries to modern ballrooms, "you want a space that enhances your vision, not just what looks good in photos," he says. "Think about how the venue fits with the time of year, your guests' interests and needs and your personality. There's something for everyone here, but the key is finding a place that complements your story instead of overpowering it."

And don't forget to keep logistics in mind—Kentucky is super accessible, so venues near one of its three airports or accommodations can make things easier for everyone. "Most importantly, lean into the spirit of Kentucky," Zonio adds. "Choose a venue that reflects the warmth, authenticity and charm this state is known for."

4. Secure Vendors

Now that you have a planner and a venue, you'll need to start lining up florists, caterers, a DJ or a band and the like. Check with your venue to see if they require you to choose from their preferred list of vendors and then head to The Knot Vendor Marketplace to find those you still need.

5. Consider the Season

Although Kentucky experiences all four seasons, the state has mild temperatures year-round. It's typically never too hot or cold, so you can get married during the time of year you prefer.

Brown says autumn is the best time to get married in Kentucky for its quintessential Kentucky activities like horse farm experiences, bourbon distillery tours and tastings and peeping gorgeous foliage. But keep in mind that peak fall season doesn't really start to settle until mid-to-late October or even into early-to-mid November; September and early October are often still relatively hot during the day.

Winter temperatures can be unpredictable, but Brown doesn't typically expect snow until January or even February. Spring brings a lot of rain and colder temperatures, and doesn't really bloom until late April or early May. Brown recommends waiting until May at the earliest to host an outdoor or tented event. That said, summers can be hot and humid, so you should plan accordingly for guests for an outdoor summer wedding.

"Always have plenty of water accessible for everyone and multiple stations located throughout your entire event as well as moments for freshly chilled champagne," Brown says. "Fans should be strategically placed around your tent or reception space to help keep everyone cool."

6. Check Event Schedules

With a strong, fundamental culture around its people's love of sports and horses, especially in Louisville and Lexington, it's important to be informed and strategic about planning a wedding during peak football and basketball seasons as well as race months.

The Kentucky Derby, held in Louisville, is always the first weekend in May and the Keeneland Racetrack in Lexington runs throughout all of April and October. These months can make for really fun times for a Kentucky wedding since you'll be able to immerse your guests in a true Kentucky experience—couples often attend the races as part of their wedding weekend, Brown says. But you'll need to buy tickets for large parties far in advance through the racetracks sales team and be aware that hotels will not only increase in price but get booked quickly.

"Traffic from our populations doubling, if not tripling, in size for big games or on race weekends will also require a bit more logistical planning and time built into schedules up front when allowing guests to transition venues around the city," she says.

7. Add Little Touches

"Don't forget the little touches that make Kentucky special—bourbon, farm-to-table dining, a tailgate at Keeneland and maybe even some bluegrass music," Zonio says. "Those traditions bring such an authentic feel to your day."