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REAL WEDDINGS
Tommy & Peter k
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10.12.13 Bayliss Park, Council Bluffs; The couple's residence, Council Bluffs
INTIMATE AND ‘ENCHANTING’ A few guests, including the “two most important people” in the couple’s lives – Peter’s mom and Tommy’s son – attended the candlelit ceremony at Bayliss Park. “Seeing Bayliss Park transformed into such an intimate and enchanting environment just for us was one of the highlights of the whole celebration,” Tommy says. SURPRISE! The reception at the couple’s renovated historic home was a surprise to 37 guests, who thought they were attending a dessert party. Two of the couple’s friends showed up with a newspaper clipping of the application for their marriage license. “They had that look on their face, followed by smirky grins,” Tommy says. QUALITY, NOT QUANTITY The couple had considered a much larger event, but couldn’t justify guests flying in to “not spend any real amount of individual time with us. We convinced them to visit us over the next year or so (instead).” PRIORITIZE THE DETAILS “Figure out what’s most important to you and focus on that. Everything else is secondary,” Tommy suggests. Flowers and photography were high on the couple’s list. “Flowers bring so much to a celebration, and photos capture the memories and hidden moments for years to come.” A ‘SOFT’ REMINDER Rather than individual gifts, the couple purchased a wool rug together, which they stood on in Bayliss Park as they exchanged their vows. The rug, now in their entryway at home, is a daily reminder of their marriage celebration.
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SPRING & SUMMER 2014 weddingessentialsmagazine.com