The Best Wedding Venues in Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines Wedding Venues
The Des Moines, Iowa area has some absolutely incredible wedding venues! These are some of my favorite venues that I’m photographed wedding at in the last years. I did my best to choose different vibes – from beautiful barn venues, to industrial, some are in the middle of the city while others are a bit more of a drive for an intimate feel – there’s so many options to choose from!
These venues are photography friendly, have great getting ready spaces, and the owners are so nice! I know selecting a wedding venue can be so overwhelming, so my goal is to help you feel the vibe of each wedding venue so you can select the best fit for you!
Rollins Mansion
Capacity: 500
This gorgeous, historical venue was built in 1925 with Tudor architecture. History says that some of the beams were imported from an inn where William Sheakspeare performed. Rollins Mansion has a separate getting ready suite for the bride, with a space downstairs for the groom. There’s a gorgeous courtyard for outdoor ceremonies, a patio that’s perfect for receptions, and a indoor ceremony and reception spaces as well!
Rollins Mansion
2801 Fleur Dr
Des Moines, IA 50321
View Rollins Mansion photos here
The Surety Hotel
Capacity: 150
The Surety Hotel has it all, and because of that is one of the best venues in Des Moines. Their Merchande Suite is the perfect getting ready space due to its many windows that make photographing easy, as well as so much space to spread out! The Ballroom and the Solarium are perfect spaces for any ceremony or reception, and the Hippee Boardroom is a great space for the guys.
THE SURETY HOTEL
206 6th Ave
Des Moines, IA 50309
The Tea Room
Capacity: 500
This is one of my all-time favorite venues to photograph weddings at. There’s a gorgeous, well-lit getting ready room, as well as plenty of space to have a ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception! The Tea Room has embraced its history and old photographs of the building in use hanging on the walls. The balconies make for some stunning portraits as well!
THE TEA ROOM
713 WALNUT STREET
DES MOINES, IA 50309
View Jon + Jasmine’s Tea Room Wedding Here!
Harpors Vineyard
Capacity: 2000
This venue has indoor and outdoor ceremony spaces, as well as a pavilion that can handle all weather! Everywhere you turn, there’s places to take photos. Harpors Vineyard is well known for their service and hospitality.
Harpors Vineyard
3014 Scott St
New Virginia, IA 50210
View Chase + Kacey’s Harpor’s Vineyard day here!
Glen Oaks Country Club
Capacity: 300
There’s no bad place to take a picture at Glen Oaks Country Club! No matter where you turn, there’s gorgeous places to set up for a wedding, whether its inside, or outside! The views are unbeatable, as is the
Glen Oaks Country Club
1401 Glen Oaks Dr
West Des Moines, IA 50266
Forte Banquet and Conference Center
Capacity: 450
This is the perfect location if you’re looking for blank walls that you can turn into anything you want! The large room at Forte lends itself to a ceremony and reception space quite well. Parking is convenient and free.
Forte
615 3rd St
Des Moines, IA 50309
The River Center
Capacity: 600
The River Center is one of my personal favorites. It’s very conveniently located and the two sides make it easy to transition between the ceremony and reception. There’s some good places to take bridal party photos within an easy walking distance, and it’s a quick drive from everything downtown.
The River Center
340 SW 3rd St
Des Moines, IA 50309
View Nick + Alicia’s Fall Wedding at The River Center here.
State Historical Museum of Iowa
Capacity: 500
This Des Moines wedding venue can probably hold the most people. Its size makes it possible to have a ceremony location, while still having a reception space, in the same room. There’s also many things for guests to look at around the State Historical Museum of Iowa during cocktail hour. It’s one block away from the Iowa State Capitol, as well as downtown Des Moines making it perfectly located for photos!
The State Historical Museum of Iowa
600 E Locust St
Des Moines, IA 50319
Scott and Madison’s State Historical Museum of Iowa was the perfect industrial and urban wedding!
Sylvan Theater – Greenwood Park
Capacity: 200
The Sylvan Theater is a GORGEOUS outdoor ceremony location located next to The Rose Garden and the Des Moines Art Center, making it a perfect central location to many different styles of photos! The Sylvan Theater has rows of benches that decend to the center for optimal viewing of all the guests.
The Sylvan Theater
4500 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50312
If you like this post, you might like the rest of my wedding planning series here!
