A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Get Married in Oklahoma, According to Local Experts

From its vibrant cities to its tranquil prairies and serene lakes, Oklahoma provides a stunning backdrop for any wedding. So, if you're wondering how to get married in Oklahoma, you're in the right place.

Why Oklahoma, you may ask? Well, there are a handful of reasons couples choose to tie the knot here. For one, says Amanda Watson, a wedding photographer based in Oklahoma City, "the state boasts stunning landscapes, including rolling prairies, serene lakes, forests and dramatic rock formations like those in the Wichita Mountains or Turner Falls, providing beautiful backdrops for outdoor weddings and photography." Additionally, "Oklahoma is bursting with incredible talent within the wedding industry and those that have been in business a number of years really know how to do their jobs well since we have to deal with a lot of weather elements in Oklahoma,"—but more on that later. Last but not least, "Oklahoma is also known for its warm and welcoming people, ensuring couples and their guests feel at home."

From Oklahoma marriage laws to Oklahoma wedding ideas, here's everything you need to know about getting married in the Sooner State.

In this article:

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

How to Get a Marriage License in Oklahoma

Good news: "Obtaining a marriage license in Oklahoma is a cinch!" says Meg Owen, an Oklahoma City-based wedding planner and florist. Per the pro, it's a good idea to make an appointment ahead of time at the Oklahoma County Courthouse. Assuming the couples provide their forms of identification, are older than 18 years old and are not currently married (or have been legally divorced for six months), they should be able to obtain a marriage license without an issue. Owen is also quick to note that Oklahoma does not currently have any residency requirements. Plus, "There is also an incentive for couples to attend—and provide proof of—marriage counseling prior to getting their Oklahoma marriage license."

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Notable Wedding Locations in Oklahoma

Oklahoma's cities and landscapes are nothing short of spectacular. Throughout the state, you'll find an abundance of eclectic choices, be it swanky country clubs, gorgeous garden oases and magnificent museums. Below, we've rounded up our favorite wedding locations, plus the top Oklahoma wedding venues in each place.

Tulsa

Known for its vibrant arts and culture scene, Tulsa is home to a slew of beautiful wedding venues to suit each and every wedding vision and aesthetic. Watson especially loves the Philbrook Museum of Art, which boasts "scenic gardens and Tuscan-inspired architecture," making it feel like it's been plucked straight from the Italian countryside. The Mayo Hotel, meanwhile, stands out for its "historic and dramatic all-white ballroom." Lastly, it's worth mentioning that Tulsa has its own international airport, making it a convenient locale for out-of-town guests.

Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area

Oklahoma's aptly named capital city and its surrounding areas are teeming with museums, galleries, shops, restaurants and entertainment offerings, making it an ideal place to say "I do." Two of Watson's favorite spots to tie the knot include The Baumberhof, for its "many ceremony options and a glass ceiling 'conservatory' for a natural light reception space," and Aspen Ranch, which has "two indoor space options to fit different-sized weddings and stunning landscapes."

In Oklahoma City proper, dozens of more options abound, including the historic Skyline on Bricktown Canal, with its indoor ballroom and industrial-chic rooftop patio, and Coles Garden Wedding and Event Center, a lush garden oasis in the middle of the city. Lastly, like Tulsa, Oklahoma City also has its own international airport.

Norman

Home to the University of Oklahoma, Norman is the state's third-most populous city. Despite this, it offers plenty of small-town charm, making it one of the best places to get married in Oklahoma. Craving country club vibes? Look no further than Jimmie Austin Golf Club at the University of Oklahoma, which offers waterfront ceremony sites plus stunning golf course views. The city is also home to a handful of other rustic, nature-centric venues, including Thunderbird Chapel and Whispering Pines Inn.

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

Planning a wedding in Oklahoma doesn't have to be stressful. To take the hassle out of the process, we've compiled a few expert-approved tips to make wedding planning a breeze.

1. Establish a Budget

Setting a wedding budget before diving into the planning process is essential. For extra guidance, be sure to take advantage of The Knot Budget Advisor. This helpful, user-friendly tool provides insights into wedding costs specific to your desired location—in this case, Oklahoma—based on data from real couples.

2. Secure Your Vendors, Stat

The best way to stay on top of the wedding planning process and avoid stress down the line is to book your venue early and secure your vendors—think: DJs, bands, florists and caterers—ahead of time. For help finding the perfect venues and vendors, explore The Knot Vendor Marketplace, where you can filter options by price, location and other key details—while browsing authentic reviews from real users.

3. Be Mindful of the Weather

Oklahoma is a four-season destination with cold winters and hot summers. However, says Owen, "the biggest weather concern comes in the months of April-June, which is ironically prime wedding season." She continues, saying, "The danger here is mainly to weddings with outdoor elements subjected to thunderstorms, straight-line winds and, you guessed it, tornadoes." As such, she emphasizes that "any wedding with an outdoor component has to have a backup plan." With this in mind, Owen explains that it's "best practice to start designing plan B from the start" since it helps set expectations across the to-be-weds, family and venue while simultaneously ensuring that the space can accommodate both plans from the time of booking.

4. Consider Sporting Events

"It's a common joke in Oklahoma that we have to consult the football season when setting a date, but it's also very true!" Owen says. "Because Oklahoma does not have an NFL team, there's a large population who are avid college football fans and season ticket holders, so if your family is one of those, you'll want to look for bye weeks, non-conference games or away games."

5. Stay True to You

According to Owen, this is truly the best advice. "If you know and are confident in yourself and what you love, it makes the process more fun because you are less distracted by what anyone else is doing or posting." This is key because, as she explains, "In a world where we can see and be inspired by anything and everything, it can sometimes be visually and mentally overwhelming." With that in mind, she adds that wondering if we "should" do something else makes "the analysis paralysis even bigger—and there's already enough decisions to make!"