Getting Married in Oklahoma? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

Start planning your Sooner State wedding with our guide to getting married in Oklahoma from obtaining a marriage license to finding a venue, and more!

Kim Forrest

November 6, 2019

Loretta Lewis Photography

couple kissing — Loretta Lewis Photography

We know, planning a wedding can feel pretty overwhelming. But if you’re getting married in Oklahoma, you’re in luck. Not only is the Sooner State one of the most affordable places in the country to wed, it’s also full of some of the prettiest venues and most talented wedding vendors around. So if you’re wondering how to get married in Oklahoma, start by finding your venue and hiring your favorite vendors, and the rest will fall into place!

Check out our guide to getting married in Oklahoma, from start to finish.

The Basics

Couples getting married in Oklahoma will be glad to know that it’s one of the most affordable states in the country to host your big day. While the average cost of renting a wedding venue in the U.S. is about $6,000, in Tulsa it’s half that, and in Oklahoma City, you’ll pay just over $4,000 to rent a wedding venue. According to WeddingWire data, June and September are the most popular months for Oklahoma weddings. And in terms of guest size, weddings in Oklahoma come in just around the national average, with 124 guests.

When planning a wedding in Oklahoma, it’s important to take note of any major events in the city or town where you’ll wed. These events may crowd the area, fill hotels, and snarl traffic. Events to keep in mind when setting your date include Oklahoma City’s Festival of the Arts in April, the Norman Music Festival in April, the Tulsa International Mayfest in May, the Oklahoma State Fair in September, and Tulsa Oktoberfest in October.

Getting There and Getting Around

If your out-of-town guests will be flying into Oklahoma for your wedding, there are two major airports in the state where they’ll likely arrive, Tulsa International Airport or Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City. Train service is available between Fort Worth and Oklahoma City, as well.

Your guests will likely need to rent cars to get around during their stay, unless their accommodations are within walking distance to your venue. If staying in Oklahoma City, a brand-new streetcar system connects major neighborhoods and may be an option for your guests. Otherwise, public transportation in Oklahoma is pretty limited, though bus service and taxis are available.

couple and wedding party — Kelsey Marie Photography

Weather

If you’ve lived in the Sooner State for any amount of time and are getting married in Oklahoma, you probably already know that the state’s weather is quite variable. Summers are long and hot, while winters are shorter and more moderate. It rains far more in the southeastern part of the state than in the drier panhandle and extreme thunderstorms (and even tornadoes!) tend to occur in the spring and summer months, so be sure to have an indoor option if you’re planning an outdoor wedding during this time of year.

Wedding Venues

Couples looking for wedding venues in Oklahoma will be delighted at the variety of options. Whether you’re looking for a barn, an outdoor space, or something totally unique, there’s sure to be a location to fit your style. Here are a few of the most popular types of wedding venues in Oklahoma:

Wedding Venues in Oklahoma City
Getting married in the capital of Oklahoma? There’s sure to be a wedding venue in or near Oklahoma City that you’ll absolutely love. From rustic spaces to industrial venues, historic mansions to classic country clubs, check out all of the options in the OKC.
Check out wedding venues in Oklahoma City »
Wedding Venues in Tulsa
Tulsa is the second-largest city in Oklahoma and also a popular wedding location. There are venues for every theme in and around the city, including golf clubs, historic homes, luxe hotels, even an aquarium!
Check out wedding venues in Tulsa »
Barns
Oklahoma’s abundant farmland makes it an ideal state to host a barn wedding—and there are lots of rustic venues to choose from! These venues offer indoor and outdoor spaces for your ceremony and reception, as well as authentic barns for the ultimate country-chic event.
Check out barn wedding venues in Oklahoma »
Outdoor Venues
Many couples dream of a wedding venue surrounded by nature, and Oklahoma has lots of outdoor wedding venues to turn your dreams into reality. From farms to historic homes, banquet halls to museums, you’re sure to swoon over these outdoor spaces.
Check out outdoor wedding venues near Tulsa »

Marriage Requirements

If you’re getting married in Oklahoma, it’s essential to know how to legally get married in Oklahoma! In the Sooner State, you have to be 18 years old or older to legally wed without parental consent—16 or 17 year olds may wed with parents’ permission. To apply for a marriage license, head to the nearest Court Clerk’s Office (there are no residency requirements) and bring appropriate identification such as a passport, birth certificate, or driver’s license. You’ll also have to pay a $50 marriage license fee, which can be reduced to just $5 if you complete an approved premarital counseling program. No blood test is required. For those 18 or over, there is no waiting period between receiving your license and when your ceremony can take place—those ages 16 and 17 have a 72-hour waiting period. Your Oklahoma marriage license is only valid for 10 days after it’s issued, so be sure to schedule your ceremony accordingly.

Name Change in Oklahoma

The decision to change your name after marriage is yours and yours alone. But if you choose to change your name after marriage, the process can be a little confusing. Your certified marriage license serves as proof of name change, so long as you add your new name to the application. We recommend getting a few certified copies of your marriage license, as you’ll need to present it to various agencies to make your new name official. You’ll want to go the Social Security office first to change your name with them, then you can head to your nearest Department of Public Safety to update your driver’s license. There are several other places you’ll need to change your name, as well—visit HitchSwitch to get that process started.