Rules & Regulations.
Couples and Friends/Family of the couple:
Couples may vote before or after their wedding, as long as the wedding takes place within the qualifying calendar year. Friends and family may vote after attending that wedding as guests or before the wedding if they experienced the wedding professional through the planning process.
Vote only for the wedding professionals whose services you personally used or experienced.
Each person may vote once, using one email address. Each member of a couple may submit their own votes. Additional submissions from the same person, including those using different email addresses, will not be counted.
If you used a wedding professional during the qualifying calendar year but your wedding takes place in a different year, you may vote for that service using the date you used/received the product/service. For example, engagement or boudoir photos may happen in a different year than your wedding.
We review votes to help keep voting fair. We may request information to confirm eligibility and remove duplicate, false, or unverifiable votes.
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For Wedding Professionals within Central & Eastern Iowa:
Wedding professionals may not vote in general business categories unless they attended a qualifying wedding as a GUEST. In that case, they may vote only for the vendors whose services they personally experienced at that wedding. Working at a wedding does not qualify you to vote.
We encourage wedding professionals to vote for the Vendor Choice Award, honoring another wedding professional in Central or Eastern Iowa. This is our highest honor because it recognizes the person rather than the business.
Businesses can win in up to TWO categories. You may be listed in every category that fits your services. If your business receives the most votes in more than two categories, you’ll win the two where you received the highest vote totals. Your business will no longer be considered for an award in the remaining categories, even if tied. Those awards will go to the next eligible businesses with the most votes.
The Vendor Choice Award is separate. It honors an individual wedding professional, usually the business owner, rather than the full business. A person may receive Vendor Choice while their business wins two categories.
If businesses tie for an award, each business that has not reached the two-category limit will be honored. Each tied award counts toward that limit.
Wedding professionals located within approximately 65 miles of Des Moines for Central Iowa or the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids area for Eastern Iowa are eligible to participate.
Central Iowa includes communities such as Des Moines and it’s suburbs, Fort Dodge, Pella, Osceola, and Atlantic.
Eastern Iowa includes communities such as Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Dubuque, Davenport, Burlington, and Dyersville.
These boundaries are a general guide. If your business is near either region’s boundary or falls between the regions, contact us. We welcome requests from nearby businesses and will review your location and the area you serve.
If your business is missing from a category that fits your services, contact info@weddingchoiceawards.com to request a listing. Businesses farther outside these regions should review the participation requirements below.
Your business will be placed on either the Central or Eastern Iowa voting list based on your location. We recommend participating in one region and telling your couples which voting list to use. Voters do not need to live in that region to vote for your business.
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For Wedding Professionals outside of Central or Eastern Iowa:
Wedding professionals may not vote in general business categories unless they attended a qualifying wedding as a GUEST. In that case, they may vote only for the vendors whose services they personally experienced at that wedding. Working at a wedding does not qualify you to vote.
Want your business included in Wedding Choice Awards?
Businesses outside our general Central and Eastern Iowa boundaries may apply if they regularly serve weddings in either region. If you are close to a regional boundary, contact us first. We may be able to include you under our regional guidelines.
To apply, meet the requirements below and email your supporting information in a Word document, Excel spreadsheet, or PDF to info@weddingchoiceawards.com. Include your business name, contact information, and the region you would like to participate in. Applying does not guarantee approval.
Applications must be received by November 30 to be considered for that voting year. If approved, your business will be added for the remaining voting period. We also accept applications outside the voting period.
All Applicants Must Meet This Requirement
At least 40% of the weddings your business serves during the qualifying calendar year must be within your chosen region: approximately 65 miles around Des Moines for Central Iowa or the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids area for Eastern Iowa.
Please provide a list of your weddings for that year, both inside and outside your chosen region. Include the wedding date and ceremony/reception locations, and identify which weddings fall within the region. You may use client reference numbers instead of couples’ names. Gallery links are optional.
Applicants Must Also Meet at Least Two of These Three Requirements
These activities must relate to the region you are applying for and take place during the qualifying calendar year.
Participated as an exhibitor in a regional wedding show. Examples include United at the Union, Pella Wedding Extravaganza, Des Moines Wedding Show, or Eastern Iowa Wedding Show. Send an exhibitor confirmation or proof of purchase—you may hide the amount paid.
Promoted your business through regional advertising, PR, or a collaborative wedding shoot. Examples include paid Facebook or Google ads targeting the region, magazine advertising or articles, radio or TV advertising, or features on another wedding professional’s blog or social media. Your own regular social media posts do not count. Send dated screenshots, photos, or direct links showing your participation and regional connection.
Attended an in-person wedding industry networking event in the region. Examples include Sips ’n Social or Corridor Wedding Professionals events. Send an attendance confirmation, event photo, or other documentation showing you attended.
Approval and Renewal
Approval covers two consecutive voting years. For example, if approved for voting beginning in October 2026, your business may also participate in voting beginning in October 2027. You will need to reapply for voting beginning in October 2028.
It is your responsibility to submit updated information before your approval expires. We do not send renewal reminders. If you do not renew, your business will be removed from the voting lists until a new application is approved.
Interested in bringing Wedding Choice Awards to your region? Contact info@weddingchoiceawards.com.
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For Sponsors of Wedding Choice Awards:
Sponsors are eligible to receive votes from couples, friends, and family who qualify under our voter rules. Sponsors must meet the same eligibility requirements as other participating businesses.
Sponsors will be tagged in our general voting posts and listed on the website.
Sponsors will appear in our “top voting” posts only if their vote totals qualify them for recognition in their category. Sponsorship does not affect vote counting, category standings, or award results.
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We do our best to answer any questions and work with all voters and wedding professionals. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to us at: info@weddingchoiceawards.com