• Speak from the Heart
  Be honest and personal—share your feelings, promises, and the unique story of your relationship. Authenticity makes your words truly memorable.

• Keep It Clear and Concise
  Aim for heartfelt but focused—about 1–2 minutes per person is ideal to keep the moment intimate and engaging for everyone.

  Some resources you can use for helping writing these out are:

• Books

  • “The Art of Vows” by Rachael Tompson — Offers inspiring prompts and examples for personal vows.

  • “Wedding Ceremony Planner” by Judith Johnson — A comprehensive guide to writing and planning your ceremony.

• Websites & Blogs

  • The Knot and Zola have extensive vow-writing guides and sample ceremonies.

  • Brides.com offers free templates and tips for vows and ceremony scripts.

• Video Inspiration

  • YouTube channels like Offbeat Bride and WeddingWire showcase real couples’ vows and ceremony ideas to spark your creativity.

• Writing Prompts & Templates

  • Downloadable vow worksheets (search “vow writing worksheet PDF”) help organize your thoughts step-by-step.

• Officiant Consultations

  • Many officiants offer guidance and sample scripts tailored to your style and beliefs—ask yours for help

• Location:
  Linn County Recorder’s Office
  Jean Oxley Public Service Center
  935 2nd St SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

• Hours:
  Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (arrive by 4 p.m. to apply same day)

• Fee & Waiting Period:
  $35 fee, plus a mandatory 3-day waiting period after applying; marriage can’t occur until Day 4 linncountyiowa.gov. You can request a waiver at the Courthouse if needed

• Who Needs to Be There:
  Both partners and one witness (18+) must apply together, present valid IDs, and sign in front of a notary (office notary provided)

• Alternate Submission:
  If you can’t apply in person, you can drop off or mail a notarized application with payment (check or credit card) to the same address, using the white drop box in front of the Public Service Center

• After the Ceremony:
  Your officiant (or you) must return the signed certificate to the Recorder’s Office. You’ll receive your certified copy—if submitted in person, often the same day.

Now is the time to start working on which of our in house decor you would like to use.

• The Decor Order Form is Due 30 days from your date. Until then, make sure to hit the ‘Save’ button in order to go back and make changes.

• Couples with our All-Inclusive Package get to use our decor at no additional cost!

• Some notes on this:

  • We will only accept requests for decor through the form. Not through email or verbal communication. This is to ensure that we do not miss anything. All forms are reviewed by our team and need to be approved. We will let you know if there are any issues with your submission.

  • Please only request what you know you want to use.

  • The Open Houses are a great time to measure, play with, and see/touch our decor options.

  • These items are not guaranteed. Things get taken, things get broke, trends change and we may get rid of items over time. If we do not have something you’ve requested then we will offer a similar trendy substitute that is in stock :)

  • Our staff will start picking up Rosedale decor 2 hours before the event ends to ensure we get all of our pieces back.

  • All form links can also be found on the forms page.

• Please complete the Floor Plan form no later than 90 days from your date. This will allow the Rosedale Staff and you to see where you are at in your RSVPs and get your preferences on your reception layout.

• When completed a member of our team will reach out with a Floor Plan for you to review.

• Here is a link to see some examples of floor plans that work well with the space.

Once your RSVPs are in, it’s time to map out where everyone will sit!

• Make sure you have filled out your floor plan form - this will allow you to have a layout of the space when placing people. Keep in mind Rounds seat up to 10 people and Banquets seat up to 11 people.

• With the floor plan- begin grouping guests by relationship—family, friends, coworkers—and aim to seat people with familiar faces or shared interests.

• Keep VIPs (like immediate family and wedding party) close to the action, and leave room for flexibility as last-minute changes pop up. A little planning here goes a long way on the big day!

• Your bridal party has been by your side through it all—celebrating, supporting, and helping bring your big day to life. A meaningful gift is a great way to say thank you!

• Whether it’s something personalized, practical, or just plain fun, choose items that reflect your appreciation and the special bond you share.

• Reminder - if you are to bring these gifts into the venue they cannot contain alcohol.

• Bachelor and bachelorette parties are all about taking a break from wedding planning to let loose and celebrate with your closest friends. Whether it’s a weekend getaway, spa day, game night, or night out on the town, the best parties reflect your style and your bond with your people. No rules—just good vibes and great memories before the big “I do!”

• Choose songs that reflect your story, your style, and the kind of energy you want throughout the day.

• Think about the ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, and reception separately—and don’t forget to include a few crowd-pleasers to keep the dance floor going strong!

• Also keep in mind the songs that you may want your entertainer to avoid!

• Celebrate your upcoming day with your closest loved ones!