Rentals

Salisbury House & Gardens rents by hour package. Additional hours may be added to contracts up to 30 days prior to the event date, but may not be subtracted. 

Salisbury House is a 10 minute drive from downtown Des Moines, 10 minute drive to West Des Moines, and roughly 15 minute drive to the airport.

Our general museum parking lot can hold roughly 50-55 cars. For larger events, event staff will monitor parking and guide street parking on Tonawanda Drive. We do encourage carpooling, Uber/Lyft, and exploring hotel shuttle services, too. No cars are permitted to be left overnight after rentals unless approved by Salisbury House Director of Events. 

Yes. Wifi is available through the property, as is general electricity, both indoor and outdoor.

The museum’s indoor capacity limit is guest counts of 100 or less. Outdoors we can accommodate guest counts of up to 250 comfortably.

No, Salisbury House does not have any catering services on site. We partner with a list of preferred caterers who provide excellent service, tasty food, and understand the house intimately and are aware of all the preservation rules implemented in their service on our grounds.

Four of our five preferred caterers also supply bartending services. 

We do permit outside catering and bar service at an additional fee added to private rental contracts.

Yes. Wifi is available throughout the property, as is general electricity, both indoor and outdoor.

Salisbury House holds wedding celebrations year-round. Our peak-season, May-October allows for both indoor and outdoor utilization with guest counts up to 250. Our off-season, November-April, requires all private rentals take place indoors with guest counts of 100 or less. 

During the month of December, the house is decorated top to bottom for the holidays and therefore, capacity limits are between 50-60 for any private rentals due to trees and holiday decor adding a festive touch to the museum and your event, too!

To lock in your date at Salisbury House requires a signed rental contract and 50% of the rental fee + $1,000 refundable damage deposit. The final payment, including any add-on’s from Salisbury House  like bistro lighting, additional hours, etc. is due 30 days out from the event date.

There are a variety of different spaces to hold different aspects for your event from ceremony to cocktail hour, to dinner and dancing; you are able to customize your day pending capacity limits. All options and traffic flow will be discussed when you come take a wedding tour with us! 

Your rental is by hours; you can start your rental as early as 8:00 am and rent until 12:00 am midnight. A good rule of thumb is to end your reception at least an hour before your rental ends to allow your vendors to fully teardown, pack-up, and exit the property, along with family, friends, and wedding party too! 

Yes! Salisbury House event staff will be available the day of your event and are responsible for the set-up and teardown of all Salisbury provided goods and services, and all venue-specific tasks such as: vendor/guest questions, bathroom tidying, spills, thermostat needs, emergencies, etc. 

Security will be hired through Salisbury House and added to your final payment should the guest count surpass 150 or more and will be on-site during the hours alcohol is served. We do not require any event insurance when booking at Salisbury House. 

For full rentals of the house and grounds for celebrating, the museum is closed to the public. However, one of Salisbury House’s unique perks is during your cocktail/mocktail/social hour after your ceremony, the entire museum is open for your guests to tour and explore! They are welcome to snag a beverage and app and explore both levels of the house. Salisbury House event staff will be stationed around the house to answer questions, share fun facts about the collection and the family that once lived here. 

Yes, there are designated areas utilized by couples as “drop zones” for the day to keep personal items secure. Tables, chairs, floor length mirror,  and rolling rack provided. Couples are welcome to bring in snacks, lunch, etc. prior to guests arriving, adhering to all contract agreements and rules of the museum.

Due to the historic nature of the property and its collection, all candles must be battery operated both indoor and outdoor for all private rentals. Live flame is not permitted. Matchbooks are not permitted for guest/party favors.

We do not allow anything taped, glued, or nailed to any wall or art piece. Glitter and confetti are not allowed. All decor brought in must go home with you or a designated person at the end of the rental.

We have a listing of preferred catering + bartending vendors who provide great service, wonderful food, and understand the quirks of our unique space. You are welcome to select a non-preferred catering/bartending vendor for an additional fee added to your final payment.

Upon signing your rental contract, Salisbury House will share our vendor guide. Everything from planning/coordination, tents, tables, chairs, florals, photographers, DJ’s, and more; these are not mandatory vendors, but all have been on-site before and understand the in’s and out’s of being a historic property. The vendor guide is a helpful tool to jump start your planning!

For large guest counts during peak-season, we often see couples utilize the outdoor spaces with the rental of temporary tenting structures. All grassy areas of the property can be tented, along with the Cobblestone Courtyard, too. Depending on the tent company you select, you may be required to apply for and obtain a temporary tenting permit through the City of Des Moines’ online portal.

Yes - absolutely!

Yes - absolutely! Please share as much information with us, so we are able to learn and safely plan for what you’re envisioning, while still protecting the museum collection and grounds. 

Salisbury House offers a select number of tables for vendor needs for your day - catering’s buffet line/plating + prepping station, bartending set-up tables, dessert table, welcome table, gift table, etc. with 

We also have a select number of high top cocktail tables and low top bistro tables available for use where you see fit! Linens available  in choice of white, ivory, or black for Salisbury’s table stock. 

We do not have storage space at the museum for guest dinner tables + linens and those must be rented/provided by the couple/client.

We have a select number of outdoor seating and indoor seating that is included in your rental. You are welcome to select an outside vendor for seating and furniture rentals.

For groups up to 30, we offer two micro wedding packages. If you are looking for a replacement for a courthouse wedding, choose the basic package which includes a 30-minute ceremony and a 30 minutes for photos. We are able to supply an ordained officiant if you need one!

Or choose an extended micro wedding to include more time in the museum and access to further amenities from Salisbury House. Give a toast and relax with more time for photos. Customize your day, the way you want it!

Yes - we are able to supply an ordained wedding officiant; two weeks notice preferred.