Salisbury House & Gardens
Guest capacity
Up to 250 seated guests
About this venue
Salisbury House & Gardens is a wedding venue and museum situated in Des Moines, Iowa. The original owner, Carl Weeks, founded liquid foundation and hypoallergenic makeup, so it is fitting that his 42-room mansion has received a magnificent makeover as a wedding venue and event center. The mansion was built in the 1920s and was inspired by The King's House in Salisbury, England, blending Tudor, Carolean, and Gothic architectural details. Today, to-be-weds can celebrate their romantic nuptials in style at this sophisticated estate. From intimate elopements to large-scale receptions, Salisbury House & Gardens is suitable for events of all styles and sizes. You can say "I do" in front of several beautiful indoor backdrops or outdoors, where tall trees envelope a traditional arbor and manicured garden spaces. Couples can curate their dream reception indoors, outside, or in an elegant marquee.
Our event spaces
Salisbury House & Gardens
Your happily ever after awaits.
Make the beginning of forever unforgettable with a wedding day of your dreams. With exclusive use of the property during your contracted rental time, our grand mansion offers an elegant setting with manicured gardens encased by pristine woodlands to create an idyllic setting for your special day. Your photographer will capture stunning photos as you wed between the iconic Pompeian columns in the garden and as you have your first dance as newlyweds under the bistro lights on the terrace.
Guest capacity
Up to 250 Seated
Up to 250 Standing
Ideal for
Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception
Included in this room:
Whether you are seeking a small and intimate venue for your ceremony or an expansive garden for your reception, Salisbury House & Gardens offers an array of options for weddings of varying scope and size. Begin your fairy tale at Salisbury House with a memorable wedding that you, your family, and your friends will never forget.
Common Room
The Common Room is a beautiful space for a more intimate ceremony, microwedding, or reception!
This space will fit 64 comfortably at round tables and 80 people dining at rectangle tables. Our historic trestle table cannot leave the room (it weighs 1000 pounds!), but we can move it around the room to best fit your event--it can be used as a buffet table, dessert station, or seating option for up to 22 guests (occupancy/capacity above includes seating at the trestle table). We can accommodate up to 90 guests seated theater style for a ceremony.
Guest capacity
Up to 90 Seated
Up to 90 Standing
Ideal for
Wedding ceremony, Elopement, Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Engagement party, Farewell brunch, Couples luncheon, Cocktail hour
Room cost
Included in total venue pricing
Great Hall
The Great Hall provides a gorgeous backdrop for a rehearsal dinner, cocktail hour, or intimate ceremony!
This space will fit 32 comfortably at round tables and 48 people dining at rectangle tables. We can accommodate up to 60 guests seated theater style for a ceremony.
Guest capacity
Up to 60 Seated
Up to 60 Standing
Ideal for
Wedding ceremony, Elopement, Rehearsal dinner, Engagement party, Farewell brunch, Couples luncheon, Cocktail hour
Room cost
Included in total venue pricing
Dining Room
The Dining Room is a great space for a rehearsal dinner, farewell brunch, or dinner buffet!
This space features a historic dining table in the middle of the room. It cannot be moved, but can be used for an intimate gathering of up to 12 people. We are also able to set up a buffet in this room so that guests can see more areas of the historic house during rentals!
Guest capacity
Up to 12 Seated
Up to 12 Standing
Ideal for
Rehearsal dinner, Farewell brunch, Couples luncheon
Indian Room
This space, historically referred to as the "Indian Room," is perfect for the bride or groom to get ready in!
This space offers plenty of room for getting ready, storage, or a hang out spot for family before the ceremony. The room can fit 96 at round tables and 100 people dining at rectangle tables.
Guest capacity
Up to 100 Seated
Up to 100 Standing
Ideal for
After party, Farewell brunch, Other, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Engagement party
Room cost
Included in total venue pricing
Historic Garage
The Historic Garage is a versatile space for any function: ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, or dance!
This space will fit 80 at round tables and 80 people dining at rectangle tables. We can accommodate up to 100 guests seated theater style for a ceremony. There are four floor to ceiling garage doors on the east side of the room that open into a beautiful cobblestone courtyard.
Guest capacity
Up to 80 Seated
Up to 100 Standing
Ideal for
Wedding ceremony, Elopement, Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Engagement party, Welcome party, After party, Farewell brunch, Couples luncheon, Cocktail hour
Room cost
Included in total venue pricing
Cobblestone Courtyard
The Cobblestone Courtyard is a perfect space for a dinner or an overflow seating area from the Historic Garage during dancing!
This space will fit 120 comfortably at round tables and 120 people dining at rectangle tables. We can accommodate up to 160 guests seated theater style for a ceremony.
Guest capacity
Up to 160 Seated
Up to 200 Standing
Ideal for
Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Engagement party, Farewell brunch, Cocktail hour
Room cost
Included in total venue pricing
South Gardens
The South Gardens are a gorgeous ceremony space. We can also host dreamy receptions in this area.
The South Gardens will fit up to 250 people in rounds, rectangle tables, or seated for a ceremony. The garden is well-stocked with flowers and plants of all sorts of varieties, and will be in bloom all summer long.
Guest capacity
Up to 250 Seated
Up to 250 Standing
Ideal for
Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception, After party, Cocktail hour
Room cost
Included in total venue pricing
Salisbury House & Gardens
Your happily ever after awaits.
Make the beginning of forever unforgettable with a wedding day of your dreams. With exclusive use of the property during your contracted rental time, our grand mansion offers an elegant setting with manicured gardens encased by pristine woodlands to create an idyllic setting for your special day. Your photographer will capture stunning photos as you wed between the iconic Pompeian columns in the garden and as you have your first dance as newlyweds under the bistro lights on the terrace.
Guest capacity
Up to 250 Seated
Up to 250 Standing
Ideal for
Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception
Included in this room:
Whether you are seeking a small and intimate venue for your ceremony or an expansive garden for your reception, Salisbury House & Gardens offers an array of options for weddings of varying scope and size. Begin your fairy tale at Salisbury House with a memorable wedding that you, your family, and your friends will never forget.
Common Room
The Common Room is a beautiful space for a more intimate ceremony, microwedding, or reception!
This space will fit 64 comfortably at round tables and 80 people dining at rectangle tables. Our historic trestle table cannot leave the room (it weighs 1000 pounds!), but we can move it around the room to best fit your event--it can be used as a buffet table, dessert station, or seating option for up to 22 guests (occupancy/capacity above includes seating at the trestle table). We can accommodate up to 90 guests seated theater style for a ceremony.
Guest capacity
Up to 90 Seated
Up to 90 Standing
Ideal for
Wedding ceremony, Elopement, Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Engagement party, Farewell brunch, Couples luncheon, Cocktail hour
Room cost
Included in total venue pricing
Great Hall
The Great Hall provides a gorgeous backdrop for a rehearsal dinner, cocktail hour, or intimate ceremony!
This space will fit 32 comfortably at round tables and 48 people dining at rectangle tables. We can accommodate up to 60 guests seated theater style for a ceremony.
Guest capacity
Up to 60 Seated
Up to 60 Standing
Ideal for
Wedding ceremony, Elopement, Rehearsal dinner, Engagement party, Farewell brunch, Couples luncheon, Cocktail hour
Room cost
Included in total venue pricing
Dining Room
The Dining Room is a great space for a rehearsal dinner, farewell brunch, or dinner buffet!
This space features a historic dining table in the middle of the room. It cannot be moved, but can be used for an intimate gathering of up to 12 people. We are also able to set up a buffet in this room so that guests can see more areas of the historic house during rentals!
Guest capacity
Up to 12 Seated
Up to 12 Standing
Ideal for
Rehearsal dinner, Farewell brunch, Couples luncheon
Indian Room
This space, historically referred to as the "Indian Room," is perfect for the bride or groom to get ready in!
This space offers plenty of room for getting ready, storage, or a hang out spot for family before the ceremony. The room can fit 96 at round tables and 100 people dining at rectangle tables.
Guest capacity
Up to 100 Seated
Up to 100 Standing
Ideal for
After party, Farewell brunch, Other, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Engagement party
Room cost
Included in total venue pricing
Historic Garage
The Historic Garage is a versatile space for any function: ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, or dance!
This space will fit 80 at round tables and 80 people dining at rectangle tables. We can accommodate up to 100 guests seated theater style for a ceremony. There are four floor to ceiling garage doors on the east side of the room that open into a beautiful cobblestone courtyard.
Guest capacity
Up to 80 Seated
Up to 100 Standing
Ideal for
Wedding ceremony, Elopement, Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Engagement party, Welcome party, After party, Farewell brunch, Couples luncheon, Cocktail hour
Room cost
Included in total venue pricing
Cobblestone Courtyard
The Cobblestone Courtyard is a perfect space for a dinner or an overflow seating area from the Historic Garage during dancing!
This space will fit 120 comfortably at round tables and 120 people dining at rectangle tables. We can accommodate up to 160 guests seated theater style for a ceremony.
Guest capacity
Up to 160 Seated
Up to 200 Standing
Ideal for
Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Engagement party, Farewell brunch, Cocktail hour
Room cost
Included in total venue pricing
South Gardens
The South Gardens are a gorgeous ceremony space. We can also host dreamy receptions in this area.
The South Gardens will fit up to 250 people in rounds, rectangle tables, or seated for a ceremony. The garden is well-stocked with flowers and plants of all sorts of varieties, and will be in bloom all summer long.
Guest capacity
Up to 250 Seated
Up to 250 Standing
Ideal for
Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception, After party, Cocktail hour
Room cost
Included in total venue pricing
Available services that can be provided by Salisbury House & Gardens
Services & amenities
- Dressing room / Bridal Suite
- Event rentals
- Event staff
- Wifi
Transportation & access
- Self parking - free
- Wheelchair accessible
Rentals
- Lighting
- Linens
- Standard Chairs
Reviews
Write a review5.0 out of 5
3 reviews
Perfect
Unbeatable venue for a garden party style wedding. Beautiful, well-maintained, and a staff that was exceptionally helpful and easy to work with made this our dream location. Visit and you will fall in love.
Response from vendor•Sep 16, 2024Thank you so much for your kind words, Josh! It makes us so happy that you're happy. Wishing a lifetime of happiness to you & Jackson; thank you for choosing Salisbury House & Gardens! - Emily & Salisbury House TeamBeautiful Venue
I might be bias, but Salisbury House & Gardens is one of the pretties venues in the Des Moines area. Because of this, my husband and I didn't have to go overboard with decorations, the space took care of providing an amazing experience all on its own. Depending on your headcount there are a variety of spaces you use utilize onsite, allowing you and your fiancé to layout your event exactly as you envision. We also loved this venue because of its proximity to downtown. We had our ceremony and our hotel blocks downtown then had shuttles bus out to the venue which is only about 10 minutes. To top it off, the staff at Salisbury were very responsive and extremely helpful throughout the entire process. I would highly recommend this venue to anyone getting married in the Des Moines area!
May 2021 Wedding
Beautiful day and a team that made everything flow so smoothly. Photos turned out beyond amazing.
Preferred vendors of Salisbury House & Gardens
Explore other vendors serving Des Moines, IA
- Wild Elegance
- Elizabeth Ladean Photography
- 3leafphotography
- Bellocq Weddings
- Willow + Rove Creative
- Lighthouse Video Productions
- Beck Photo Co.
- Tyler Preston | Country, Southern Rock, Americana
- Bogdanov photography
- Caitlin Davis Photography
- The Narrative Weddings (Photo + Video)
- Ashley Cynthia Photography
Complete your dream team
- Des Moines Photographers
- Des Moines Beauty Professionals
- Des Moines Bands & DJs
- Des Moines Florists
- Des Moines Caterers
- Des Moines Planners
- Des Moines Cakes & Desserts
- Des Moines Videographers
- Des Moines Bar Services & Beverages
Other venues in Des Moines
- The Tea Room
- The Iowa Taproom
- VOWS DSM
- The Big Room at Mainframe Studios
- Holiday Inn & Suites - Urbandale
- Northbridge Event Center
- Hampton Inn DSM Airport
Other wedding services nearby
- Johnston, IA Wedding Caterers
- West Des Moines, IA Wedding Caterers
- Ankeny, IA Wedding Florists
- Ankeny, IA Wedding Cakes & Desserts
- Ankeny, IA Wedding Photographers
- West Des Moines, IA Wedding Planners
- West Des Moines, IA Wedding Photographers
- Ankeny, IA Wedding Videographers
- West Des Moines, IA Wedding Beauty Professionals
- West Des Moines, IA Wedding Videographers
- Johnston, IA Wedding Photographers
- West Des Moines, IA Wedding Bands & DJs