Des Moines, with its vibrant downtown and historic charm, presents an enticing backdrop for wedding celebrations. The city boasts venues like The Tea Room, offering a classic, upscale vibe with historic balconies and proximity to picturesque photo locations. The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, nestled along the Principal Riverwalk, provides a lush, garden setting with both indoor and outdoor options, making Des Moines a charming and sophisticated wedding destination.
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Best Wedding Venues in Des Moines
Des Moines Art Center
The Des Moines Art Center is a stunning venue for weddings, offering a unique blend of modern architecture, lush greenery, and world-class artwork. The outdoor courtyard is an ideal setting for ceremonies, while the gallery provides an elegant and sophisticated atmosphere for receptions. With a guest capacity of up to 200, the venue is perfect for intimate to moderately sized weddings. The staff, particularly the coordinators, are highly praised for their professionalism, flexibility, and helpfulness, ensuring that every detail is meticulously managed to make the wedding day seamless and enjoyable. The venue also offers docent-led tours, adding an educational and entertaining element for guests.
Des Moines Heritage Center
The Des Moines Heritage Center, located in the Historic East Village of downtown Des Moines, is a captivating venue for weddings. It combines modern comforts with the ambiance of a century-old historic site. The venue offers two distinct spaces: the historic 1909 East Des Moines Union Depot, ideal for intimate weddings and pre-wedding events, and the newly constructed Events Center, which can accommodate up to 300 guests. The plaza between the two venues provides a perfect spot for outdoor ceremonies or cocktail hours. With amenities like dressing rooms, a catering kitchen, and advanced audio/visual equipment, this venue ensures a seamless and enchanting wedding experience, complete with stunning views of the state capitol building. Its convenient location near numerous hotels adds to its appeal, making it an excellent choice for couples celebrating their special day.
Des Moines Marriott Downtown
The Des Moines Marriott Downtown is a prestigious wedding venue located in the heart of downtown Des Moines, Iowa. This 33-story hotel offers breathtaking views and luxurious amenities, making it an ideal choice for couples. With three ballrooms, the venue can accommodate up to 600 guests, providing versatile spaces for both intimate ceremonies and grand receptions. The hotel’s certified wedding planners ensure a seamless and enjoyable planning process, offering customizable menus, special decorations, and in-house technology for tailored lighting and audio solutions. The venue also includes a complimentary suite for the wedding couple and upgraded accommodations for parents, enhancing the overall wedding experience with elegance and comfort.
Glen Oaks Country Club
Glen Oaks Country Club in West Des Moines, Iowa, is a stunning and timeless wedding venue that offers a blend of elegance and natural beauty. This architectural gem features several beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces, including the Royal Oak covered patio, Spencer Court ballroom, and the Churchill room, which can accommodate up to 300 guests. The venue also boasts a picturesque lawn overlooking the manicured golf course, perfect for ceremonies. With unparalleled customer service, delicious American-style cuisine, and comprehensive event planning services, Glen Oaks ensures a seamless and enchanting wedding experience, making it an ideal choice for couples seeking a beautiful and unique celebration.
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden is a stunning wedding venue located in the heart of downtown Des Moines. Named the “Most beautiful wedding venue in the state of Iowa” by PureWow, it offers both indoor and outdoor options, including the Conservatory, Dupont room, and picturesque outdoor gardens. This venue provides a serene and idyllic setting with seasonal gardens, a water garden, and views of the downtown skyline. With amenities such as complimentary linens, setup and teardown services, a bridal suite, and dedicated event staff, it ensures a seamless and enchanting wedding experience for couples and their guests.
Hotel Fort Des Moines
Hotel Fort Des Moines, nestled in the heart of downtown Des Moines, Iowa, is a timeless and sophisticated wedding venue. This historic hotel, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, combines classic charm with modern luxury, offering a picturesque backdrop for weddings. The iconic 1919 Grand Ballroom, with its ornate lighting and décor, can accommodate up to 270 guests for a seated dinner and up to 800 for a reception. The venue’s dedicated event team ensures every detail is meticulously executed, providing an enchanting and elegant atmosphere for a truly special wedding day. Its central location and upscale amenities make it an ideal choice for couples seeking a refined and historic setting.
Jasper Winery
Jasper Winery in Des Moines, IA, is an estate-style winery offering a sophisticated and stylish setting for weddings. Located just minutes from downtown, the venue features a modern facility with both indoor and outdoor spaces, including a front lawn and on-site vineyards ideal for ceremonies. The Main Event Room can accommodate up to 150 guests, and an outdoor party tent can be rented from May to October to increase capacity to 200 guests. The venue provides a day-of coordinator, full bar staff, audio/visual equipment, and personalized service, making it an excellent choice for couples seeking a elegant and well-coordinated wedding celebration.
The Loft DSM
The Loft DSM in Des Moines, IA, is a unique and versatile wedding venue that offers an urban loft aesthetic with industrial-style touches. The 5000 square foot event space features 12-foot wood ceilings, aged wood floors, and 6-foot windows on three sides, providing excellent natural lighting. With a capacity for up to 280 guests, the venue is ideal for both intimate gatherings and larger celebrations. It includes amenities such as tables, chairs, linens, and dimmable bistro lighting, allowing couples to customize the space to fit their vision. The fully furnished Bridal Suite and Groom’s Lounge, along with the venue’s comprehensive services and attentive staff, make it an excellent choice for a seamless and enjoyable wedding experience.
The Monroe
The Monroe in West Des Moines, Iowa, is a luxurious and elegant wedding venue that seamlessly blends old-world charm with a modern aesthetic. This contemporary banquet hall-style venue offers a versatile main ballroom with functional concrete flooring, elegant chandeliers, and abundant natural light, making it an ideal canvas for personalizing your wedding. The venue features a stunning Chapel Room with wood beam vaulted ceilings and a charming brick-paved patio with a wooden pergola for outdoor ceremonies. Private get-ready rooms, fully-equipped kitchen facilities, and expert event staff ensure a smooth and enjoyable wedding experience, making The Monroe an excellent choice for couples looking to create a beautiful and sophisticated celebration.
Noce Jazz Club
Noce Jazz Club in Des Moines, IA, is a sophisticated and elegant venue, ideally suited for weddings. Located in a beautifully renovated warehouse, it boasts original hardwood floors, wooden rafter ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling brick walls, blending historic charm with a modern, urban-industrial aesthetic. The venue’s sultry ambiance, complete with a bar and classic cocktails, creates a romantic setting that invites guests to relax and enjoy the celebration. Its proximity to the Des Moines International Airport makes it easily accessible for out-of-town guests, adding to its appeal as a perfect spot for an intimate and enchanting wedding.
The River Center
The River Center in Des Moines, IA, is a unique and captivating wedding venue that blends rustic and industrial elements, sourced from local entities. Located near Principal Park, it features high ceilings, exposed brick, and abundant natural light, creating a stunning backdrop for your special day. The venue offers over 16,000 square feet of space, including two bridal suites, two private patios, and amenities such as bar services, catering, and in-house bakery. With a guest capacity of up to 450 seated guests, it provides a seamless transition from ceremony to cocktail hour to reception, making it an ideal choice for couples seeking an urban yet elegant wedding experience.
Rollins Mansion
Rollins Mansion in Des Moines, IA, is a historic wedding venue built in the 1920s by Ralph Rollins. This stunning property, now on the National Register of Historic Places, offers an elegant and enchanting setting for nuptial celebrations. With over 10,000 square feet of event space, it can accommodate 300+ guests. The venue features picturesque gardens, a courtyard, and a terrace overlooking the Des Moines skyline, providing multiple options for both outdoor and indoor ceremonies and receptions. The interior boasts coved ceilings, intricate fireplaces, and vintage European-style decor, making it an ideal choice for couples seeking a romantic and sophisticated backdrop for their special day. The dedicated staff and in-house caterer, Delmonico, ensure a smooth and enjoyable planning process, making Rollins Mansion a top choice for weddings in the area.
Salisbury House and Gardens
Salisbury House and Gardens in Des Moines, IA, is a historic and elegant wedding venue built in the 1920s, inspired by The King’s House in Salisbury, England. This 42-room mansion blends Tudor, Carolean, and Gothic architectural details, offering a sophisticated backdrop for weddings. The venue features beautifully manicured gardens, antique interiors, and unique artworks. Couples can choose from various spaces, including the historic Common Room and the picturesque gardens, to host their ceremony and reception. The venue’s stunning setting and attentive staff make it an ideal choice for weddings of all sizes, ensuring a beautiful and enchanting celebration.
St Kilda
St. Kilda in Des Moines, IA, is a charming and intimate wedding venue that offers a unique and elegant setting for couples. Located in the heart of downtown, St. Kilda provides a beautiful space that can accommodate both small and larger weddings, with a capacity for over 300 guests. The venue is known for its exquisite cuisine, with catering services that receive high praise for their delicious meals. The historic and stylish ambiance, complete with marble columns and stunning architecture, creates a picturesque backdrop for wedding ceremonies and receptions. The dedicated event coordinators ensure that every detail is meticulously handled, making the wedding day seamless and enjoyable for the couple and their guests.
Surety Hotel
Surety Hotel in Des Moines, IA, offers a unique and elegant setting for weddings, blending historic Beaux-Arts and bank-inspired architecture with modern comforts. The venue features three distinct spaces, including the Surety Ballroom, Solarium, and Midland Room, accommodating up to 150 guests. The hotel’s dedicated wedding specialist assists with every detail, from setup and timeline to menu selections and vendor coordination. With its picturesque surroundings, exquisite food and drink options, and meticulous attention to detail, Surety Hotel provides an ideal backdrop for a sophisticated and joyful wedding celebration, ensuring a perfect start to the couple’s new life together.
The Tea Room
The Tea Room in Des Moines, IA, is a historic and iconic wedding venue located in the heart of downtown. With 5,175 square feet of space and 16-foot ceilings, it offers an open and expansive feel, enhanced by 14 large floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies overlooking the city skyline. The venue’s elegant design, neutral tones, and modern amenities create a sophisticated setting ideal for weddings. The main ballroom features regal columns, decorative molding, and LED chandeliers, while the Garden and Jubilee Rooms provide intimate settings for smaller gatherings. The dedicated staff ensures a seamless and enchanting experience, making The Tea Room an exceptional choice for couples seeking a beautiful and historic wedding venue.
The Temple for Performing Arts
The Temple for Performing Arts in Des Moines, IA, is a historic and elegantly restored venue that offers a unique and sophisticated setting for weddings. Listed on the National Historical Registry, this venue boasts the grand 4,000-square-foot Grand Hall with two-story columns, original light fixtures, and restored stained glass skylights. The Recital Hall, with its stained glass windows and hardwood floor, is ideal for intimate gatherings. The venue also features a bridal suite and groom’s room, providing ample space for preparation. With its classic architecture and comprehensive services, including event planning and catering, it makes an exquisite choice for couples seeking a traditional and refined wedding celebration.
Willow On Grand
Willow on Grand in Des Moines, Iowa, offers a charming and versatile setting for weddings. This venue boasts a modern, cottage-inspired design, complemented by its turn-of-the-century backdrop, large beams, and abundant natural light. The grand room can accommodate up to 300 guests and is highly adaptable to various setups and styles. The outdoor courtyard, complete with bistro lighting, provides a serene space for ceremonies, photos, or cocktail hours. The bridal suite, known as The Cottage, is a bright and airy space where brides can prepare for their big day. This venue’s combination of indoor and outdoor spaces, along with its convenient location and on-site amenities, makes it an ideal choice for a beautiful and elegant wedding celebration.