Getting Married in Indianapolis: The Ultimate Guide to Indiana Weddings

If you’re getting married in Indianapolis, you have much to be excited about. Not only is Indy a fabulous city, full of lots of attractions and landmarks (hello amazing photo ops!), it’s also a great spot for Indiana weddings. There are lots of gorgeous wedding venues in Indianapolis, as well as some of the most talented vendors in the country. We understand that wedding planning can be a bit overwhelming, so we’re here to help you plan your Indiana wedding with ease.

Getting married in Indianapolis? Here’s everything you need to know about planning an Indiana wedding.

The Basics

Not only is Indianapolis a vibrant capital city, it’s also one of the most affordable places in the country to host a wedding. The average cost of renting a ceremony and reception wedding venue in Indianapolis is $4,775, well below the national average of $6,000. October is the most popular month to marry in Indy, and weddings in Indianapolis have an average of 128 guests, right around the national average of 126 guests.

Indianapolis is a popular tourist destination, particularly when it comes to sporting events. If you’re getting married in Indianapolis and ready to set your date, you’ll want to be aware of some important events throughout the year that may fill hotels and snarl traffic. The Indianapolis 500, held on the Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend, is probably the city’s most popular crowd-drawing event. You’ll also want to be aware of Colts home game weekends, as well as other races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Indiana State Fair in August is also a busy time of year.

Getting There and Getting Around

If you’re hosting many out-of-town guests, they’ll likely fly into Indianapolis International Airport. There’s an express bus that can transport your guests from the airport to Downtown Indianapolis, or your guests can take a taxi or use a ride-sharing app like Uber or Lyft—it’s about a 20-minute drive.

Depending on where your guests are staying, they likely won’t need to rent a car—Downtown Indianapolis is a fairly walkable area, and there are public buses your guests may use. Taxis and ride-sharing apps are also available. However, if you’re getting married outside of the city, your guests may need a car to get around—or you can hire shuttle transportation for your loved ones’ convenience and safety.

Weather

Indianapolis has a pretty predictable climate—hot, humid summers and cold, fairly snowy winters. May is the rainiest month (followed closely by June and July), so if you’re planning an outdoor wedding during that time of year, you’ll definitely want to have a Plan B at the ready. Severe thunderstorms do occur, particularly in the summer.

Wedding Venues

Couples hosting an Indianapolis wedding have a wide variety of event venues to choose from. Whether you’re looking to host a city chic affair or more casual, rustic wedding, you’ll be delighted at the breadth of wedding venues, from ballrooms to barns. Here are some of the best places to get married in Indianapolis.

• Outdoor
  Many couples dream of hosting their wedding day in a romantic outdoor space. The Indianapolis area offers country clubs, vineyards, gardens, and more, all available for outdoor events.
  Check out outdoor wedding venues in Indianapolis »
• Downtown
  Downtown Indianapolis weddings combine convenience and style. Whether you’re hosting your wedding day in a luxe hotel, arts space, banquet hall, industrial venue, or historic building, you’ll be delighted at the Downtown Indianapolis wedding venue options.  
  Check out wedding venues in Downtown Indianapolis »
• Barn
  Barn weddings are still very popular; couples and their guests love barns’ casual vibe and beautiful surrounding scenery. Indiana is a state with lots of barn venues, ideal for rustic events.
  Check out barn wedding venues in Indiana »
• Unique
  For some couples, a standard ballroom space just won’t do for their wedding ceremony and reception. Fortunately, there are many unique wedding venues in the Indianapolis area, including the popular Scottish Rite Cathedral and Laurel Hall.  
  Check out unique wedding venues in Indianapolis »
• Small
  When it comes to weddings, bigger isn’t always better. If you’re getting married in Indianapolis and hosting 150 guests or fewer, these small venues are definitely worth a look.
  Check out small wedding venues in Indianapolis »

Marriage Requirements

One of the most important parts of getting married in Indianapolis is actually obtaining your marriage license! To do so, you’ll want to read up on Indiana’s state marriage laws. Couples can apply for their marriage license by visiting the Clerk’s Office in the county where you and/or your future spouse live, or, if you’re not from the state, the county where your wedding will take place. Fill out your application online before visiting the Clerk’s Office to save time. You’ll need to bring appropriate identification, as well as an $18 fee for in-state residents and $60 for out-of-state residents, plus $2 for each copy of your marriage license. There is no waiting period, and the license is valid for 60 days.

How to Change Your Name in Indiana

After officially getting married in Indianapolis, you may choose to change your name. When you receive your marriage license at the Clerk’s Office, you’ll also receive a packet of information on how to legally change your name. You’ll first want to change your name with the Social Security Administration. To do so, you’ll need to fill out a form, and provide proof of citizenship, proof of identity, and a certified copy of your marriage license—you’ll probably want to present your application in person at your nearest Social Security office. Once you’ve received your new Social Security card, you can head to the nearest Bureau of Motor Vehicles to change your name on your driver’s license and proceed with changing your name on other important documents. If this feels a bit overwhelming, don’t worry! Services like HitchSwitch take all the guesswork out of the name change process, and handle the paperwork for you.

Wedding Accommodations

Whether you’re hosting a lot of out-of-town guests or just a few, it’s a good idea to book room blocks at hotels near your venue (the closer the better!). This will save your guests time and money when it comes to booking accommodations for your wedding weekend. If you’re hosting a lot of out-of-towners, you may want to book room blocks at several hotels with different price points that are near your venue.

Things to Do in Indianapolis

If your guests will be traveling to Indianapolis for the first time, it’s nice to provide them with a list of activities and attractions they can enjoy when not celebrating your big day. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Indianapolis Zoo
  Guests of all ages will enjoy the Indianapolis Zoo, located in White River State Park (an Indy attraction in its own right). You’ll view a wide variety of animals, from orangutans to giraffes—there’s even an aquarium on site where you can swim with dolphins!
• Indianapolis Motor Speedway
  One of the most popular attractions in Indy, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is of course famous for hosting the Indianapolis 500, but there are many other races hosted there throughout the year—and you can take a behind-the-scenes tour of this landmark, as well.
• Museums
  Indianapolis is home to a wide variety of museums including the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, the Indiana State Museum, Rhythm! Discovery Center, and the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.   
• Monument Circle
  Located in the heart of Downtown Indianapolis, Monument Circle features the famed Soldiers & Sailors Monument and plays host to a variety of events year-round.

Indiana Wedding Inspiration

Check out these stunning weddings in the Indianapolis area to get inspired for your own wedding day.

Katie and Oliver’s fall wedding at Laurel Hall »
Jazmine and Cole’s romantic wedding at Pipers on the Marott »
Sarah and McKinley’s elegant wedding at the Crowne Plaza Indianapolis »
Arianna and Dan’s boho-chic wedding at the Indianapolis Zoo »

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