Greater Des Moines is the perfect place to host your wedding and reception. From simple and cheap wedding venues to the lavish and luxurious, there's an ideal wedding venue in Greater Des Moines for every size, budget and guest count. Check out our list of the best places to get married in Des Moines:
Downtown Des Moines Wedding Venues
Brenton Skating Plaza: Great for large weddings, Brenton Skating Plaza transforms for the summer months to a large, covered outdoor event venue. Located along the Principal Riverwalk, The Canopy at Brenton Skating Plaza offers sweeping views of the downtown Des Moines skyline.
Highlights: Dance the night away under the stars! The one-of-a-kind covered canopy allows for outdoor events with full protection from sun or rain (we hear that's good luck anyway).
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden: The Botanical Garden has received accolades as a top wedding venue in Central Iowa and was named the most beautiful wedding venue in the state of Iowa by PureWow. For weddings with ten guests or 500, your Des Moines Botanical Garden wedding can take many forms among several lush spaces both indoors and out.
Highlights: With plenty of parking for your guests and flexible spaces to fit any budget, you can host all your wedding events in one place! As a bonus, any wedding at the Botanical Garden will be surrounded in beautiful greenery and require minimal additional decoration – your pictures will really pop!
River Center: One of Greater Des Moines' newest wedding venues, The River Center features a large main event floor, large outside patio, 2,000-square-foot mezzanine, and views of Principal Park and the capital. This historic building was recently restored to showcase its exposed brick walls, high ceilings, reclaimed woodwork, and antique light fixtures.
Highlights: Your rental includes unique and beautiful custom wood tables and chairs – no chair covers necessary! Plus, this venue accommodates up to 600 guests!
Rollins Mansion: Located just south of downtown, historic Rollins Mansion offers a 4,000-square-foot rooftop terrace with romantic views of the Des Moines skyline. Inside, many beautiful and ornately decorated rooms invite creative use for your dressing rooms, cocktail hour, ceremony, and reception.
Highlights: The grounds around the property offer beautiful backdrops for all the photos of your special day!
Sylvan Theater Des Moines: The Sylvan Amphitheater at Greenwood Park is a naturally beautiful wedding venue nestled in the shade of ancient towering oak trees featuring bench style-seating. It's a local historic landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Highlights: You won't have to worry about who to cut from your guest list with this spacious venue. The Sylvan Theater is perfect for large guest counts of up to 200 people AND low cost!
The Tea Room: Thinking about planning a Tea Room Des Moines wedding? Located in the heart of downtown and the same place at the former famed Younkers Tea Room, this venue combines the traditional with the contemporary. Host your big day in the bright, naturally lit ballroom and enjoy cocktail hour in the adjoining Garden Room space overlooking downtown. Open the French doors to welcome in the sounds of the lively city below and fresh summer air.
Highlights: All necessary amenities like AV and tables and chairs are included! The Tea Room features a large bridal suite and lobby with coat check for winter weddings. As one of Des Moines' newest venues, you'll likely be the first among your friends to take advantage of this gorgeous space.
West Des Moines Wedding Venues
Glen Oaks Country Club: A gorgeous sprawling country club, Glen Oaks features a private championship golf course and a magnificent, newly renovated Clubhouse. From ceremonies overlooking the prestigious golf course to cocktail hour on an exquisite outdoor veranda, Glen Oaks offers a variety of spaces to make your wedding as beautiful as your love.
Highlights: Your rental includes all necessary amenities, in addition to an exclusive invitation to the Club's annual Grand Tasting & Wedding Exhibit in October.
Raccoon River Nature Lodge: Newly renovated for 2020, the Raccoon River Nature Lodge is situated along the northwest shore of Blue Heron Lake and provides a beautiful natural setting for your wedding. Comfortably seating 120 guests, this quaint venue provides you with all the convenience your event requires with a charming aesthetic.
Highlights: Guests of all ages will be entertained between wedding activities with neighboring play areas and a walking path along the water leading up to the new boathouse.
Decades Event Center: Decades is a large wedding venue in West Des Moines offering seating for 275 guests. You and your guests will enjoy a memorable evening of celebration in a rustic space decorated with beautiful antiques.
Highlights: With ample parking, many on-site services, and an event director to help you coordinate, your wedding will be stress-free from the moment you arrive.
Unique Des Moines Wedding Venues
Red Shed at Geisler Farms: Located in the heart of the heartland, you know there will be picturesque barn wedding venues in Greater Des Moines. Just east of Ankeny, Geisler Farms' Red Shed and outdoor spaces are the perfect place to host your special day. Rentals are available May through August in the fully air-conditioned Red Shed. Geisler Farms only books one wedding per weekend – that means you'll have plenty of time to set up and make sure everything is picture-perfect.
Highlights: With plenty of entertaining activities for kids on the property, everyone will have a great day celebrating the happy couple!
Simpson Barn: A beautiful venue in Johnston, the Simpson Barn was moved from its original home on a local farm to the current location and updated with many essential event features. Rustic charm is paired with modern convenience; enjoy the full on-site kitchen and bathrooms on the fully heated or air-conditioned lower level.
Highlights: It accommodates up to 170 guests and no catering restrictions!
Blank Park Zoo: Say "I do" at the zoo and treat your guests to an adventure to celebrate your union. Blank Park Zoo offers several venue spaces for groups of 30 to 300 that are sure to wow your guests.
Highlights: Invite your guests to walk through the rainforest as they make their way to your ceremony location. Entertain your friends and family during cocktail hour with turtles, baby alligators, rabbits, and other furry creatures. You even have the option to extend the hours of the exhibits exclusively for your guests.
Church of the Land: Located at Living History Farms in Urbandale, the Prairie Gothic-style church is available year-round for weddings and seats 130 people in the sanctuary. After your traditional ceremony, move the party to The Great Hall of the Visitor Center with exposed beams, skylights, brick, inlaid wood, and French doors that open to a stone courtyard surrounded by evergreen trees.
Highlights: The church is fully air-conditioned and heated!
Outdoor venues
The City of Des Moines manages rentals of many small wedding venues in Des Moines and beautiful outdoor space throughout the city. View options here.
