Wedding vendors

Wedding vendors in Des Moines, IA

Des Moines is easier to plan than most state capitals. The East Village has brick storefronts and rooftops under the Capitol dome, the Western Gateway has a sculpture park and hotels within a few blocks, and West Des Moines, Waukee and Ankeny keep adding event centers and country clubs with parking to spare. Half an hour out are the covered bridges of Madison County, the Dutch storefronts of Pella and the High Trestle Trail bridge lit up at night. Venue fees and photography, the two deepest categories in our Des Moines data, sit in a moderate band, and hair and makeup has a wide spread. The State Fair fills every hotel for eleven days in August. Below is what a Des Moines wedding costs, where couples marry, when to book, and vetted local vendors matched to your date.

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What weddings cost in Des Moines

Median ranges from vendor pricing in Our Day's Des Moines data (about 150 vendors). Actual pricing varies by date, guest count, area and vendor.
CategoryTypical range
Venue (venue fee)$4,800–$7,200
Photography & video$2,100–$4,200
Hair & makeup$150–$600

Where couples get married in Des Moines

East Village & Downtown

Brick storefronts, rooftops and restored halls under the Capitol dome, with the Riverwalk and the sculpture park a short walk for photos.

West Des Moines, Waukee & Ankeny

Newer event centers, country clubs and hotel ballrooms in the western and northern suburbs, with easy parking and the most capacity for large guest lists.

Madison County & the south

Covered bridges, barns and rolling farmland around Winterset and Indianola, thirty to forty minutes from downtown, for a rural weekend.

Pella, Madrid & the countryside

The Dutch storefronts and tulip beds of Pella, orchards and barns near Madrid and the High Trestle Trail, and small-town halls, all within an hour.

When to book in Des Moines

June, September and early October are the Des Moines Saturdays that go first; July and August are hot and humid, and May brings storm season, so plan a tent with sides or an indoor backup. Book East Village and Madison County dates 12 months or more ahead. The Iowa State Fair fills every hotel in the metro for eleven days in mid-August, the Drake Relays crowd the city in late April, the marathon closes streets in October, and the Cy-Hawk game weekend in September pulls guests up to Ames. Winter dates open up wide, and the hotel ballrooms and event centers keep everyone warm.

Common questions

Des Moines is a moderate market. Venue fees sit in a reasonable band whether you choose a Downtown rooftop or a suburban event center, photography and video are priced fairly for a city with a deep pool of photographers, and hair and makeup ranges from simple to full-party service. The venue and guest count decide most of the total, and the newer suburban spaces give you the most room to grow the list. These ranges reflect real vendor pricing in our Des Moines data, and Our Day negotiates exclusive rates for you.

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