Heartland Wedding Ideas — May/June 2020 (Spring)

MAY/JUNE 2020

IT'S MY BIG DAY AMANDA + ERICK JASMIN + ALEX

STYLED SHOOT

OBSESSED!

INTO THE WOODS HEART LANDWEDDINGIDEAS.COM

MAKE IT HAPPEN EVENTS AUNDREA EILERS PHOTOGRAPHY 1

Contents

H W I M AY/J U N E 2 0 2 0

6-13 EDITORS' LETTER

You won't find this issue in print, as we've decided to make May/June available by digital-only. Due to COVID-19, we knew that our couples probably wouldn't be picking the magazine up at newsstands, but would still be looking for inspiration. And we especially wanted to provide support for the wedding community so they can continue to meet and plan with couples like you!

We know that the past months have been stressful and uncertain and we understand that many of our readers have had to postpone their biggest day. We are deeply sorry for the impacts COVID-19 has caused you and your friends and family. We hope this magazine brings you a tiny bit of love and joy.

We kick this issue off with a beautiful styled shoot at Harpor's Vineyard captured and styled by Missie Lafrenz Photography. This team of wedding professionals created magic on pages 6–13.

Next, we have Jasmin + Alex's wedding at St. Anthony's Catholic Church followed by a reception at Hilton Garden Inn. The beautiful blush wedding was simple and sweet.

See it all on pages 22–29.

Finally, we feature, vintage, historical I-Do's by Amanda + Erick at Rollins Mansion. It served as the perfect backdrop to their intimate nuptials. We loved their personalized touches and their dogs, see it on pages 30–37.

ST Y L E D S H O OT: I N TO T H E WO O DS

16 OBSESSED: MAKE IT HAPPEN EVENTS & AUNDREA EILERS P H OTO G R A P H Y

22-29 I T ' S M Y B I G D AY : JASMIN + ALEX

30-37 I T ' S M Y B I G D AY : AMANDA + ERICK

We close with this, remember your wedding day will come, and trust us when we say it will be the most amazing day, big or small. When we can all come together to celebrate, there will be nothing else like it.

X OX O,

A lesha & Lisa

CALL OR TEXT: 515.635.1608 | EMAIL: info@HeartlandWeddingIdeas.com WEBSITE: HeartlandWeddingIdeas.com

Follow us!

We’re on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

For inspiring ideas, local weddings, events and vendor spotlights, follow our feed. @heartlandweddingideas

COVER PHOTO: MAE SMALL PHOTOGRAPHY PUBLISHER: TANDEMHART LICENSING & PRINTING: HIDDEN VALUES, INC. & SUTHERLAND PRINTING

PHOTO BY GRACE T. PHOTOGRAPHY

OUTDOOR CEREMONY SPACE • RECEPTION VENUE • CORPORATE PARTIES

CAMBRIDGE, IOWA WWW.WHITEOAKCHATEAU.COM • 515.367.7933

PHOTO BY KEY OF A STUDIOS

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Lasting memories waiting to be made barnes.place.Ia@gmail.com

515.360.9589 BARNES-PLACE.COM Aundrea Eilers Photography

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ST Y L E D S H O OT

INTO THE WOODS Coordinator & Stylist // Missie Lafrenz @missielafrenzphoto

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World-Wide, Award Winning Family, Maternity, Senior & Wedding Photographer.

Photographer // Missie Lafrenz Photography @missielafrenzphoto

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Bride glam squad:

Makeup // Breiyan Reed @breiyanlanea Hair // Solo by Mario @solobymario 8

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We are obsessed with her nails. That is some serious nail art!

On the Des Moines beauty scene for nearly 20 years.

Nails // Nails by Mike, Avant Salon @avantsalonwdm

One of Central Iowa's premier floral companies, serving the Des Moines area and beyond.

Florist // CamBam Custom Floral @cambamfloral_llc

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Voted Des Moines best tanning salon four years straight.

They pride themselves in using gluten-free, vegan, paraben, and cruelty-free products made in the USA.

Spray Tan // Bronze515 Custom Airbrush Tanning @bronze.515

2018 & 2019 Central Iowa Wedding Choice Awards Gold for both Wedding Desserts and Wedding Cake.

Cake // Little Blackbird Bakery @littleblackbirdbakery

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Bridal Skirt // Mr. Pretty Skirt @mrprettyskirt Bridal Top // Windsor @windsorstore Suit // ASOS @asos

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A hybrid of outdoor wonderful and indoor bliss. Allow all of your guests to experience your wedding in the best way possible. Whether they love a truly remarkable outdoor experience, or our heated and cooled luxury indoor space everyone will rave about your event!

Venue // Harpor's Vineyard @harporsvineyard

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obsessed NOT S O SE CR E T LY

It could be that new trend, that pin-worthy thing we can’t stop thinking about. It could be one of our wedding pros who have stood out from the crowd.

Whatever we're obsessing about, you can see it all right here. Want more?

Find us on Pinterest.com/HeartlandWed

The one piece of advice we hear over and over again from our couples we feature is "hire a wedding planner!" And we agree, it takes the stress out of your day and truly lets you enjoy it all.

Of course we have a recommendation!

Meet Gina Cramer, owner of Make It Happen Events. She is well versed in all

Photos by Laura Wills Photography

things wedding. From initial planning, budgeting, and connecting to other pros to help bring it to life, to "day of" work with setup, decor, and answering all the

Photo by Elizabeth Carrie

questions. She will keep everything on track and you won't break a sweat.

Follow her on Facebook and Instagram to see a little bit more of her work first hand.

MAKE IT HAPPEN EVENTS

515.708.0629 gina@makeithappendsm.com makeithappendsm.com

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Photo by Justin Salem Meyer

Photo: Laura Wills Photography

GINA@ MAKEITH A PPEND S M.COM P L A N N IN G & C O O R D IN A T IN G

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obsessed NOT SO SEC RE TLY

You hear us talk all the time about the importance of great photography. It's one of the best investments you can make in your wedding, not just to have a professional to help guide you the day of, but for all the memories you'll be able to enjoy for years to come.

That's precisely why Aundrea works with couples. She loves finding those special moments, a laugh here, a quiet smile there. "The candid moments really are the best part, when the couple almost forgets you're there. They're just themselves," Aundrea told us. We couldn't agree more.

Experience more of Aundrea's work on her website, Facebook, and Instagram.

AUNDREA EILERS PHOTOGRAPHY aundreaeilersphotography.com

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A cultivated experience for the sentimental couple E M I LY K P H O T O S . C O M

SAINTS CENTER FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS

Located in Stuart, Iowa Just 30 minutes west of Des Moines, IA

515.523.2921 | saintscenter.com

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ALWAYS play Photos courtesy of: VantageNine19, and Amy Doerring Photography

FOR

KEEPS

Wedding Receptions | Ceremonies | Rehearsal Dinners | Bachelor & Bachelorette Parties Call 515.967.1000 to speak to an event planner today. prairiemeadows.com // Altoona, IA

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T HE

MEADOWS EVENTS & CONFERENCE CENTER

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IT’S MY DAY

Big

Lavishly large or quietly quaint. Boho, rustic, or modern. Small budget or unlimited. And everything in between. We know you poured your heart and soul into it. And we want to feature it!

Submit your wedding day photos for a chance to be in an upcoming issue at heartlandweddingideas.com

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JASMIN + ALEX

AMANDA + ERICK

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IT’S MY

Big

DAY

JASMIN + ALEX

MY B ES T FR I EN D'S WED D I N G

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It wasn’t until Jasmin and Alex were both Maid of Honor and Best Man at their best friend’s wedding when they realized they should be paying more attention to the person they were walking down the aisle with! Even though they were both very close to the couple, they didn’t know each other very well. The evening sparked a connection, they kept in touch, and slowly over the years, the two started to see more and more of each other, even with half the country between them! Once Jasmin decided to move back from California, the couple knew it was time to build a life together.

The proposal was simple and sweet. The two were just at home when they started talking about family and plans, including life goals. “I just realized, I should propose,” Alex told us. So he did! “I thought it was so spontaneous!” Jasmin said. “It was the sheer simplicity of it, and with it just being the two of us, made it very special and romantic.”

The couple did a lot of searching online with Pinterest boards, reading lots of customer reviews, and picked up Heartland for ideas. (YAY! Shameless plug) They did their research and listened to their friends and family. That’s how they found English Rose. “Clare went above and beyond for us. She took the time to periodically reach out to us and made sure to walk us through the whole design process.”

For photos, the couple decided to reach out to The Darling Studio, working with Aly Carroll, Adam White and Seth Missiaen, “They were such an incredible team of wedding photographers – very easy to work with and very professional, not to mention talented,” HEART LANDWEDDINGIDEAS.COM

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IT’S MY

Big

DAY

Jasmin told us. “They made to make sure we

left us with. “I know it’s been said before,

were comfortable in front of the camera and

but really, do not sweat the small stuff. No

the photos we will cherish for years to come.”

one remembers if the napkins were folded

When we asked the couple about their favorite moment, Jasmin quickly chimed in. “Oh, goodness, the walk down the aisle!

We had a violinist play ‘A Thousand Years’

by Christina Perri. It was very dramatic.”

right, or how the plates looked on the table.

Just be in the moment. Also … maybe hire a wedding planner?!? That would have reduced the stress quite a bit!” Jasmin said as she laughed.

Jasmin also had two pieces of advice she

We heart all these details.

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We always love seeing the "first look" photos!

VISIT HEARTLANDWEDDINGIDEAS.COM TO SEE ALL OF JASMIN & ALEX'S BIG DAY!

Mix-n-match stamps on your wedding invites for unique look. This palette is sooo good.

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IT’S MY

Big

DAY

VENDOR LUST // Find all the pros we're LUSTING after.

Photographer The Darling Studio | Ceremony St. Anthony Catholic Church | Reception & Caterer Hilton Garden Inn Cake Iowa Rent-A-Cake | Floral The English Rose | Hair & Makeup Estilo Salon and Day Spa | Nail Salon Emma’s Nails (Ankeny) | Wedding Dress Hope’s Bridal, Maggie Sottero | Menswear Men’s Wearhouse | Bridesmaid Dresses David’s Bridal | Stationery Zazzle | Calligraphy Etsy | Ring Iowa Diamond | Ceremony Music Theresa Sonnleitner – SonnLeit Violin Studio | Reception Music Main Event Entertainment of Iowa | Rentals Beyond Elegance Transportation Lucky Party Bus | Hotel Hilton Garden Inn

WEDDING COLOR PALETTE

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IT’S MY

Big

DAY

AMANDA + ERICK

VINTAGE I-DO'S It was something Amanda had mentioned in passing that sparked Erick’s idea for how he’d propose. “Wouldn’t it be fun if we had a photographer following us around to take pictures while we were on vacation?!” Amanda told him. (Ummm, YES! We agree.) And so did Erick. What a great way to capture fun photos of them together AND his proposal. So while in Washington D.C. for the Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run, Erick had decided it was a perfect time to hire paparazzi. He let her in on the idea so she could pack appropriately, 32

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We are obsessed with this customized jean jacket!

and she was so excited. It would be an

cards. When she and Erick found the

ideal time to capture photos with all the

Rollins Mansion, they knew it would bring

cherry blossoms. The morning before the

everything together. The unique space

race, they met the photographer they

and grounds were the perfect backdrop

hired through Flytography to capture

for their big day, to feel intimate with a

them walking through the monuments and

vintage vibe.

memorials. At their last stop, Erick dropped to one knee and proposed!

The couple decided early on that they would only have two big splurges, one

From the beginning of planning, Amanda

was for great photography, the other was

knew she wanted to add special vintage

a live band. Amanda knew right away,

touches, with things like floral dinner and

her pick for photography was going to

dessert plates, vintage gold candlesticks,

be Mae Small. She had been a part of a

unique frames, and skeleton keys on escort

friend’s wedding, and she loved her style.

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IT’S MY

Big

DAY

Erick’s job was to find their live band, and

social media industry, so planning using

the couple could not recommend KC FLO

Instagram, Pinterest, and online magazines

enough. The entire night the dance floor

(Heartland included!) was second nature.

was packed. And, since the couple was planning all of this from Chicago, when

Something Amanda and Erick didn’t expect

they discovered Molly’s Cupcakes (who

out of the planning process, was that the

has a location in Chicago) was also in Des

stress of planning a wedding remotely,

Moines, they knew that would be their pick

really helped them problem-solve together

for their cake. While it was hard to not get

and come up with creative ideas. “I really

to meet so many of their wedding vendors

think it helped us lay the foundation for a

in person, it was all doable virtually.

strong marriage,” Amanda told us.

Amanda’s career has been working in the

VIS IT HEARTLANDWEDDINGIDEAS.COM TO S EE ALL OF AMANDA & ERICK'S BIG DAY!

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This dress has gorgeous details.

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Everyone loves when the dogs get to be a part of the day!

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VENDOR LUST // Find all the pros we're LUSTING after.

PREMIER HEARTLAND WEDDING IDEAS VENDORS:

Ceremony & Reception Venue + Caterer: Rollins Mansion | Event Planning: White Willow Events Photographer Mae Small Photography | Videographer Mae Small Photography | Floral: Boesen the Florist Dessert Molly’s Cupcakes | Hair & Makeup Salon Spa W | Nails Art of Nails | Facials/Skin Treatement J MISKO Wedding Dress BHLDN | Menswear Suit Supply, Ties: Tie Bar | Bridesmaid Dresses BHLDN | Jewelry M&M Jewelers (Chicago) Stationery Stacia Weiss | Officiant Pastor Mark Schol | Hotel Marriott Downtown | Resources The Big Wedding Planning Podcast. Michelle and Christy were amazing resource for the couple, with video and phone meetings to help them through it all.

WEDDING COLOR PALETTE

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