Heartland Wedding Ideas — Fall 2015

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FALL 2015

AWARD-WINNING CATERING. STUNNING DÉCOR. ALLURING VENUES.

CENTRAL IOWA’S PREMIER

WEDDING & EVENT PRODUCER CHRISTIANISCATERING.COM | 515-287-3169

BRENTONEVENTS.COM (515)-287-3169

OUTDOOR WEDDING OR EVENT?

WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED.

DOWNTOWN DES MONES. ON THE RIVERWALK.

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#LOVEATTHEZOO a styled shoot

Many of us have enjoyed the zoo with our families or friends, but have you ever considered saying “I Do” at the zoo? A group of Iowa Weddings Vendors came together to help the Blank Park Zoo, of Des Moines, showcase their facility and what it has to offer for weddings. They chose to use bright colors and fun florals to showcase the lively nature of the zoo. Whether it is feeding the giraffes during your first look, walking through the rain forest for pictures with your bridal party, or hopping on the train or carousel for a quick spin, you are sure to find many attractions at the zoo. There are several unique locations to showcase different parts of your big day. Not only can you hold your reception there for your guests, but you can also have your ceremony outdoors. While the Africa Pavilion offers an exclusive space designated for cocktail hour. The Blank Park Zoo can accommodate small to large guest counts and is sure to capture all of the perfect moments you have envisioned for your wedding day. Say “I Do” at The Zoo! The Blank Park Zoo!

VENDORS KATIE MCDONALD PHOTOGRAPHY Photography TANDEMHART Guest Book, Menu Board, & Table Numbers

BLANK

PARK ZOO Venue ARIANE CRIGER Save the Date & Invitation MODERN DRESS

D ress & Tux SOMETHING CHIC FLORAL Floral EVENTFULLY YOURS Linens & Rentals CRÈME Cake MUSICAL EDGE

SOUND AND LIGHTING DESIGN Uplighting ASHLEY GOEMAAT AT SALON

SEVEN-O Hair DESI AT DOLCE Make-up

Did you know all the animals at the zoo have names? These two fun, loving giraffes are Jacoby and Zurie.

Liz Eimers

EVENT & MARKETING COORDINATOR

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letter FROM OUR editor

Congratulations on your engagement! As you begin to stress out and wonder how you are ever going to get all this planning done, Heartland Wedding Ideas is here to be your wedding planning secret weapon. Our pages are full of hand-picked vendors that are ready to bring to life the wedding of your dreams, along with real weddings from Iowa that will give you the perfect inspiration for your dream soiree.

As a lover of all things weddings, I was so thrilled to have the opportunity to launch Heartland Wedding Ideas and share my passion with all of you.

Over the past 5 years as a wedding coordinator, I have planned hundreds of perfect weddings, and have had the chance to work with many incredible wedding vendors. Through Heartland Wedding Ideas, I can now share that knowledge and help you create the perfect day.

I encourage you to swoon over all the darling details in these pages, and use them to inspire a curated look all your own, but don’t get too wrapped up in this process. The most important thing is that you are marrying the one person who will not just inspire the perfect wedding day, but will continue to inspire you for a lifetime.

Jenna Eichinger Headshots By: Sarah Rooney Photography Summer Issue: "A Local Collaboration" was photographed by Kerri Photography.

2 #LOVEATTHEZOO 10 THE BEAUTY OF MOVEMENT 24

IT’S MY BIG DAY 26 ADDISON & RYAN 28 LAURA & KEVIN 32 BAILEY & JOE

FOR ADDITIONAL INFO CONTACT Liz Eimers | 515.291.1637 info@heartlandweddingideas.com COVER PHOTO BY JUSTIN SALEM MEYER PHOTOGRAPHY

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*contact us for details

Des Moines- 515 283 0453 - West Des Moines- 515 224 2942 Ankeny- 515 964 3490 - Coralville- 319 625 2218 - Davenport- 563 386 4010

WWW.SKEFFINGTONS.COM CONNECT WITH US: photo credit: lifeartphotographs.com

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The Beauty of Movement WRITTEN BY JENNIFER POCHOBRADSKY

DESIGN/STYLING Harper Hadley Events PHOTOGRAPHY Everlasting Love Photography VENUE Temple of the Performing Arts PAPER GOODS & CALLIGRAPHY Love Brillet BRIDAL GOWNS Jillian Fellers HAIR/MAKE UP Serenity Couture Salon FURNITURE RENTALS Poppy & Olive’s Vintage Rentals LINENS/RENTALS Spielman’s Event Services FLORAL DESIGN The Garden Wren DESSERTS Creme Cupcakes + Desserts MODELS Andrea & Jonas Bergen

BE AUTHENTIC :: BE INSPIRED

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This beautiful project is one that has been on my heart for years. I have envisioned it in so many ways and the way it came to life was perfect. Originally inspired by the honest truth and beauty of movement, this romantic Coppelia inspired shoot was so fun to create. As a former amateur dancer and lover of the arts, I have always been mesmerized by movement- the strength and beauty of dance. Last winter, I reached out to Alex, of Everlasting Love Photography, about collaborating. I knew her style and artistic eye made her the perfect photographer to bring it to life. Shortly after we began collaborating, we reached out to a stellar team of vendors to create this romantic editorial.

The sweet story is about Coppelia, who sits on a balcony all day reading. Franz, a boy from town, sees her daily and falls in love with her. The only catch is that he is already engaged to Swanhilda. When Swanhilda learns of Franz’s affections for Coppelia, she sets out to win him back. Soon after, she learns that Coppelia is Dr. Copelius’ doll. She then impersonates Coppelia and a string of humorous chaos ensues. Eventually, all is forgiven and love wins out. Swanhilda and Franz marry and the whole town celebrates!

When you have so much inspiration and a clear direction, it becomes a matter of finding the perfect vendors and artists to make things a reality. For many of my editorials and weddings, I often find that the best results come from simply sharing our inspiration board with vendors and letting them be creative. So, for a bride who might not know how to bring out every detail, that could be your saving grace. If everyone is working from the exact same board, it will all be cohesive at the end.

We chose the venue, the Temple of the Performing Arts, because of the beautiful architecture that lends itself to a European style, as well as the fact that this was a ballet inspired editorial. It was simple and grand at the same time. A perfect backdrop!

Alex had worked with Jillian Fellers before and immediately mentioned that her gowns would be ideal. She was right! Jillian provided us two stunning gowns that made Andrea float. The colors, detail and ethereal design were perfection and still make my heart flutter!

For floral, we wanted something very organic and romantic, but with a scientific twist. Cheryl, from the Garden Wren, was the perfect florist to bring that to life.

In addition to the story, Cheryl was deeply inspired by the movement aspect.

The idea of movement naturally lent itself to using terms and Jasmine Vine.

Those not only gave us the flexibility and movement, but the organic texture and wistful feeling, as well. We even used test tubes for floral vessels as a nod to the mad scientist, Dr. Coppelius! Other flowers included anemone, tulips, stock, and ranunculus.

I am always so inspired by the stories and details that make a wedding unique and fitting to the couple. In this case, we had plenty of detail to bring out. In addition to the beautiful calligraphy paper suite, Nancy created a beautifully crafted and sweet book for us to echo Coppelia’s love of reading.

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De Paris Nails & Spa

502 N Ankeny Boulevard Suite #3 Ankeny, IA | 515.964.5910

BE AUTHENTIC :: BE INSPIRED

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KellerBrickBarn.com

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CUSTOM WEDDING STATIONARY & EVENT ST YLING

INFO@TANDEMHART.COM

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TANDEMHART.COM

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BIG DAY

BRIDES, FEATURE YOUR WEDDING IN

info@heartlandweddingideas.com / 515.291.1637 www.heartlandweddingideas.com Anna Jones Photography

SHOP COMING SOON www.heartlandweddingideas.com

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EL Photography

thechateauatwhiteoak.com thechateauatwhiteoak.com thechateauatwhiteoak.com

ANNA JONES WEDDING & LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHY

WWW.HYPERIONFC.COM 515.278.4711 CTW PHOTOGRAPHY

DO YOU LOVE INSTAGRAM? IT’S OK, WE’RE ADDICTED TOO!

@heartlandweddingideas

BE AUTHENTIC :: BE INSPIRED

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Wedding Tipi Can you believe they ship anywhere in the U.S. AND they have different floor plan options to choose from ‌umm yes please!

Long Banquet Tables Even with larger wedding parties, it makes everyone feel like they are a part of the event; making it feel totally intimate.

Crop Top Dresses What do we love? A good diy project! The bride made her oh-so-fab skirt. And the top? You can find it at NASTYGAL.COM. Yes, you can find it! And we love that.

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YOUR BIG DAY It was special. You had bohemian inspired decor and sentimental details. Maybe you rode in on a huge white horse while an orchestra played Bach. Heck, you may have ran off to Mexico with a few family members and a carryon.

WE WANNA KNOW! We know you have a story to tell. We wanna know what made your Big Day so special for you.

INSPIRE OTHERS Think you’re no Martha Stewart? Maybe there’s a bride out there lost in a sea of wedding Pins.

She comes across your wedding feature and, BOOM, she sees how it can all come together.

So HERE’S THE story...

Isn’t there always a story? “It’s My Big Day” wedding section came about, because my someone special, whenever we get to do something that I want to do, always says, “It’s Jen Jen’s big day!” It became a huge joke between us. Yes, I even have a sign that hangs in my living room saying, “It’s My Big Day.” Soon there after, I found myself saying it to my sister-in-law during her wedding planning experience. Her name is Erin, but her nickname is “Muffin,” so I would always say, “Oh, it’s Muffin’s big day” when she was planning her wedding. Before I knew it, her entire wedding and social media had been centered around #itsmuffinsbigday.

Some of you have dreamed of your wedding for years and others haven’t thought about it until that bling was on their left hand.

Your wedding is your day to be inspired, be authentic, and be you.

It’s for you and your fiancè to start your life together and what is bigger than that?

Here at Heartland Wedding Ideas we believe everyone’s wedding should be their big day! Whether it’s big or small, boho inspired or rustic chic, small budget or unlimited we know that you poured your heart and soul into your wedding. We want to see your pictures, your inspiration, and your story. Feature your wedding in Heartland Wedding Ideas Magazine, in the It’s My Big Day Section!

Not only will it show off your spectacular wedding, but it will also help inspire other brides on their big day!

ADDISON & RYAN Anna J o n es P h o to g ra p hy a n d Wr i tte n B y Addison Bra t vold Ryan and I met at a summer internship in college. We were both students at Iowa State, but had never crossed paths previously. After several years of dating, Ryan proposed a few days before Christmas. He had told me we were meeting at Gray’s Lake to get a quick photo for his mom. One of Ryan’s best friends is a professional photographer and Ryan said he was already there shooting pictures for another family, so we could just pop by and have him take a few photos real quick.

After a few shots, Ryan got down on one knee and proposed. I was completely surprised and excited. Dan, Ryan’s friend, was there to capture the moment and now we have great photos to look back on!

When it came to our wedding, I didn’t really have a theme, but I knew I wanted our wedding to be simple and classy. Sometimes less is more and I didn’t want to spend time getting caught up in 100 different little details.

To be honest, I wasn’t a bride that absolutely loved planning my wedding. There were certainly parts that were fun like the cake tasting, picking out music, etc., but for the most part I tried to make things as simple and easy as possible so there was less to worry about the day of! I tried to always remind myself that most people won’t remember all the little details, but they will remember if they had a good time. As long as the pieces are in place for people to have a good time, that’s all that matters. The entire wedding day from getting ready, to the ceremony and reception was all so much fun. Ryan and I were so happy to have family and friends help us celebrate our big day!

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Laura and Kevin used pre-stamped vintage Iowa postcards for their guest book. They asked family and friends to write them small notes or well wishes, and the Monday after their wedding their venue coordinator had the postcards sent to them in the mail. Laura’s mom also grabbed a stack, and, to this day, still sends them to her and Kevin on special occasions.

Laura hand drew 300 matchbooks as party favors that included personal messages about guests, fire puns and funny inside jokes. “A match made in heaven, with Kevin” was her personal favorite.

The bride and groom carefully selected each menu item for dinner. The menu included watermelon, because Laura is from Muscatine, Iowa, who is famous for their watermelon, and trout, because Kevin’s favorite catch and eat fish is trout. For the dessert, they asked their friends that were talented in the baking department to bring their “famous” desserts. Laura included hand written cards next to each dessert, giving the “baker” credit along with what dessert accompanied it.

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Typically, when it comes to weddings, it is all about the bride and what she is wearing. In the case of these Alpine Lovers, it was all about the groom and what he was wearing. As a buyer for a men’s store, it was very important that Kevin picked the perfect suit. His love of fly-flishing inspired his decision to compliment his suit with a fly fishing boutonniere, rather than traditional floral. Over the time they dated, Kevin convinced Laura to go fishing- several times.

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Bailey and Joe L AU R A W I L L S P H OTO G R A P H Y

HOW DID YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND MEET?

Joe & I met through his sister who is also my best friend!

HOW DID HE PROPOSE (WERE YOU SURPRISED)?

Joe proposed in the sculpture park downtown near our loft. I was not surprised as his nephew congratulated me the weekend before thinking we were already engaged! It was actually very cute & makes for a great story now!

WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION OR THE THEME YOU WERE GOING FOR YOUR WEDDING?

We didn’t have a theme in mind. simple, elegant, pretty &

HOW

DID

YOU

We chose our vening to family by keeping our previous wedtended. Word referrals were WHAT WAS YOUR THE

PLANNING

My favorite planning process Stuart our decorator It was also really neat we could start to see our

We really just wanted it to be fun for our guests.

PICK

YOUR VENDORS?

dors by listen& friends. Also eyes peeled at dings we atof mouth the best!

FAVORITE PART OF PROCESS?

part of the was meeting with & deciding on decor. the last few weeks when vision come together!

WHAT IS THE MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT FROM YOUR WEDDING CEREMONY AND RECEPTION?

Our favorite part of the ceremony and reception was being surrounded by our family & friends. Looking around & seeing everyone having a great time made the day so special.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU HAVE FOR OTHER PEOPLE GETTING MARRIED?

Our biggest piece of advice for others is to do what makes them happy. You don’t need to follow every cliche. Make your wedding your own & ensure your guests have a good time. We thought this made for wonderful lifelong memories.

CELEBRATE YOUR LOVE ON THE LAKE

at JESTER PARK LODGE

FIRST-CLASS SERVICE

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ATTENTION TO DETAIL

SCENIC LOCATIONS FOR CEREMONIES, RECEPTIONS EXTENSIVE CATERING

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AVAILABLE THROUGH CHRISTIANI’S JESTERPARKLODGE.COM 515-287-0877

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