Nebraska State Capitol

The Nebraska State Capitol – a true masterpiece and architectural wonder. It’s a great option for Lincoln wedding venues. There are some issues to consider, however.

The State Capitol has long been a popular place to have weddings. One of the benefits people find is that it’s a beautiful building, and as a public building, there is no charge to hold a wedding there.

The Capitol does, however, have strict guidelines which, according to the tourism supervisor, aren’t always followed.

The guidelines are as follows:

1. Weddings must occur during normal public hours and last less than one hour. Maximum attendance is 50. Public hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 on Saturday and holidays and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
2. Weddings cannot block public access to any area of the Capitol. They cannot disrupt guided tours, which take place on the hour every hour and can have up to 20 to 30 people. Wedding activity cannot interfere with any official activities of government, including the tours and any other events taking place.
3. Cameras and video equipment can be used during the ceremony but no public address systems can be used and no amplified music is allowed.
4. The only flowers allowed are those carried or worn by the wedding party.
5. Signs or announcements are not to be posted on any surface in the building.
6. Rice, bird seed, confetti, bubbles or anything of the kind are not to be used or thrown in the Capitol or on the grounds outside the building.

Tourism supervisor Roxanne estimates about 50 people get married at the Nebraska State Capitol in a year. The dilemma is that many do not follow the guidelines and don’t realize that the general public takes precedence over the wedding. Not following the guidelines can make for a very disruptive experience, she said.

I asked why a wedding party couldn’t just move to a more quiet area of the Capitol so as to not disrupt any official tours or other business. The problem with that is, according to Roxanne, is that there is no quiet place in the Capitol.

Sometimes couples do not inform the State Capitol in advance that they plan to get married there. If a judge is performing the ceremony, a judge will often ask the couple to inform the Capitol. But otherwise people many times just go there for a wedding and the Capitol staff members don’t know they are coming.

Those failing to provide advance notice may get there and find that they are unable to use the area they want or at least be forced into a delay of the proceedings.

Contact Moments in Time Images for more information on how to take great wedding photos at the State Capitol.