Wedding venues in and around Sioux Falls in short supply

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The end of October is not the traditional wedding season for Sioux Falls, but with how busy the city is now almost every weekend with events year-round, wedding season is really any time couples can find a venue and date.

“We used to think of it as a summer-time thing. Not anymore. You just never know. And it’s not just a Saturday or a Sunday anymore. It’s Friday nights. I even know of one couple that had their wedding on Thursday night because they couldn’t get the venue they wanted unless they took a Thursday,” Experience Sioux Falls CEO Teri Schmidt said.

Schmidt said they’re hearing constantly from venues that they’re full on bookings and from couples trying to find venues.

She said while the summer is still the busiest time of the year, the search for space is now all the time and in every corner of the city.

“From parks to attractions to then, the more traditional spaces like churches and even the Convention Center and other facilities that are not churches,” Schmidt said. “Very much has changed as to where do people want to get married. Anything goes anymore. People love Sioux Falls for a wedding venue and a location. It’s easy to get to, has all the amenities. We have the spaces.”

Those forced to look at non-traditional spaces, like the Convention Center, or try and get in new spaces like the new Canopy by Hilton Downtown are competing against other small events that the city has attracted. That, plus many couples coming from outside the city to get married here is driving up demand.

“We used to say that you’re pretty certain to take a date a year from now. There won’t be anything going on. Not anymore. Now you have to expect that there are multiple events and activities taking place,” Schmidt said.

Schmidt said the industry is responding with more and more venues opening up as time goes on, especially as some larger projects in the city wrap up, but says it will take time for it to meet the demand.

“If you know you have a date that you’re heart is set on for your wedding, you’d better book it at least a year out if not further, and then work with that venue to keep that space for you,” Schmidt said.