Heartland Wedding Ideas Nov/Dec Issue 2023 (Early Winter) by Heartland Wedding Ideas

NOV/DEC 2023

VENDOR

lust

OUR PREMIER VENDORS FEATURING

FLORAL & DECOR

STYLED SHOOT

IT'S MY BIG DAY

Je le fais!

JENNIFER + BENJAMIN

(I do!)

AUNA + BRYAN

Contents

H W I N O V/ D E C 2 0 2 3

4-7 EDITORS' LETTER

It's hard to believe, but the holidays are right around the corner! We hope you are enjoying the change of season and cuddling up with the ones you love. We are so excited about this issue and hope you enjoy it as much as we loved putting it together. First, we are kicking off the issue with a French-inspired styled shoot. We love all the delicate details (pearls, lace, china) that truly bring this vision to life. Our first 'It's My Big Day' is in Eastern Iowa and features a beautiful emerald and orange color palette that represents Jennifer + Benjamin's marriage. The HarMac in Cedar Rapids provided an upscale, urban ambiance that tied all the wedding decor together. To close out the issue, we go to Central Iowa for Auna + Bryan's storybook wedding. Their historic day was placed in the beautiful Salisbury House and Gardens with beautiful fall colors surrounding them. The architectural Des Moines gem created so many beautiful photo opportunities. We hope that you find some inspiration and ideas for your upcoming nuptials. And please continue to send us your beautiful photos and love stories for a chance to be featured in our 'It's My Big Day' section. Don't forget to visit us at heartlandweddingideas.com for additional content and wedding professionals.

VENDOR LUST: F E AT U R I N G FLORAL & DECOR

10-13 ST Y L E D S H O OT: J E L E FA I S

19-25 I T ’ S M Y B I G D AY : JENNIFER + BENJAMIN

30-35 I T ’ S M Y B I G D AY : A U N A + B R YA N

Special thanks to this crew:

Kelly Visser

Copy Editor

X OX O,

A lesha & Lisa

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

Marissa Sakakhanone

Designer + Digital Media Manager

We’re on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. For inspiring ideas, local weddings, events, and vendor spotlights, follow our feed: @heartlandweddingideas.

COVER: MISSIE LAFRENZ PHOTOGRAPHY PUBLISHER: HEARTLAND WEDDING PARTNERS PRINTING: SUTHERLAND PRINTING

HEART LANDWEDDINGIDEAS.COM

VENDOR

lust

Shelly Sarver Designs

SPOTLIGHT ON FLORAL & DECOR

Start with your florist and event decorator's portfolios to see what all they can do. It's a no-brainer – find someone who matches your vibe and the details will easily come together. You’ll be amazed at the possibilities, like long trailing bouquets, lush ceremony arches, floral chandeliers, tapered candle sets, styled place settings, or specialty linens. We're always in love with what these wedding professionals can do. Renting items for your wedding has changed – it's no longer the basics that have been overused for 20 years. So many businesses are curating new and modern looks to keep their inventory fresh, from the style of chairs to vase selections. Some will even order something new for you, if there's a specific look you're after.

OUR PREMIER FLORAL & DECOR VENDORS: Bella Flora Event Design // Era Events & Design // Bella Flora Event Design

Beyond Elegance Party Rentals & Decor // Shelly Sarver Designs

ALL OUR PREMIER VENDORS

ATTIRE & TAILORING

CAKE & DESSERT

Skeffington's Formal Wear

Glorious Desserts

skeffingtons.com

gloriousdesserts.com

DES MOINES, IA

WINDSOR HEIGHTS, IA

BARTENDING

CEREMONY OFFICIANT

Apres Bar Co.

Vows & Vibes

apresbarco.com

vowsandvibes.com

DES MOINES, IA

Your Private Bar

EVENT PLANNING & DECOR

yourprivatebar.com

Bella Flora Event Design

CATERING

bellafloraeventdesign.com

Baratta's

Beyond Elegance Party Rentals

barattas.com

beyondelegance.com

WEST DES MOINES, IA

URBANDALE, IA

DES MOINES, IA

WEST DES MOINES, IA

Christiani's Catering

Complete Weddings + Events

christianiscatering.com

completewedo.com

DES MOINES, IA

CLIVE, IA

HEART LANDWEDDINGIDEAS.COM

VENDOR EVENT PLANNING & DECOR

(CONTINUED)

Des Moines Wedding Show CENTRAL IOWA

desmoinesweddingshow.com Eastern Iowa Wedding Show IOWA CITY / CEDAR RAPIDS

easterniowaweddingshow.com Era Events & Design

FLORAL

Bella Flora Event Design URBANDALE, IA

bellafloraeventdesign.com Shelly Sarver Designs PELLA, IA

shellysarverdesigns.com

MUSIC CLIVE, IA

eraeventdesign.com Mostly Becky Event Group CENTRAL IOWA

completewedo.com DJ DAS Entertainment DES MOINES, IA

mostlybecky.com

dj-das.com

Shelly Sarver Designs shellysarverdesigns.com

Era Events & Design

Complete Weddings + Events

DES MOINES, IA

PELLA, IA

lust

Beyond Elegance

Vows & Vibes DES MOINES, IA

vowsandvibes.com

HEART LANDWEDDINGIDEAS.COM

PHOTOGRAPHY

VENUES (CONTINUED)

Complete Weddings + Events

Decades Event Center

CLIVE, IA

WEST DES MOINES, IA

completewedo.com

decadeswdm.com

DeeDee Miller Photography

Hotel Fort Des Moines

ANKENY, IA

DES MOINES, IA

deedeemillerphotography.net

hotelfortdesmoines.com

Everlasting Photo

Hotel Millwright

CENTRAL IOWA

AMANA, IA

everlastingphotoia.com

hotelmillwright.com

Jewel Boudoir Photo

Iowa State Fairgrounds

MILO, IA

jewelboudoirphoto.com

DES MOINES, IA

iowastatefairgrounds.org

Kara Vorwald Photography

The Iowa Taproom

DES MOINES, IA

karavorwald.com

DES MOINES, IA

Midwest LifeShots Photography DES MOINES, IA

midwestlifeshots.com

iowataproom.com Old Brick IOWA CITY, IA

oldbrick.org

SnapXP – Photobooth WEST DES MOINES, IA

Pella Opera House

snapxp.com

PELLA, IA

pellaoperahouse.org

STATIONERY TandemHart Paperie

Scottish Rite Consistory

tandemhartpaperie.com

dmscottishrite.org

DES MOINES, IA

TRAVEL

Sherwood Forest Event Center

Mosaic Shores Travel Co.

sherwoodforesteventcenter.com

DES MOINES, IA

mosaicshores.com

DES MOINES, IA

VENUES

World Food Prize - Hall of Laureates

Barnes' Place

halloflaureates.org

DES MOINES, IA

ADEL, IA

barnes-place.com The Chateau CAMBRIDGE, IA

whiteoakchateau.com

FO R EVEN MO R E A MA Z ING WE D D ING PR OS V IS IT HEA RTLA N DWEDDI N GI D E AS .CO M /AL L-V E ND O R S

Officiant . DJ . Live Music We offer officiating, live piano/vocals, unlimited DJ hours, dynamic lighting, personal assistant and lasting friendship.

VowsAndVibes.com HEART LANDWEDDINGIDEAS.COM

HEART LANDWEDDINGIDEAS.COM

STYLED S HOOT CENTRAL AND EASTERN IOWA

Je le fais! (I do!)

Even as temperatures are dropping, this styled shoot is turning up the romance! We can’t get enough of this elegant French inspiration photographed by Sara Eivins of Sara Reus Photography at the ever-gorgeous wedding venue, The Monroe. The careful combination of delicate lace, pearls, and china, dusty blue and silver hues, and natural light are simply breathtaking. Ooh la la!

Vintage furniture pieces from Borrow My Vintage, create the perfect statement

The Monroe is a stunning venue. Its newly renovated fine details allow for limitless possibilities.

HEART LANDWEDDINGIDEAS.COM

Ami's Cake creation fit the occasion perfectly while Madisen Lynn Videography captured video of the day!

MEET THE WEDDING PROS VENUE: The Monroe, West Des Moines PHOTOGRAPHERS: Sara Eivins — Sara Reus Photography, Des Moines & Beyond VIDEO: Madisen Lynn Videography, Eastern Iowa & Beyond CAKE: Ami’s Cakes, Ames

FLORAL & STYLIST: Lynda, Lavender Blue Floral, Central Iowa

DAY OF PLANNER: Yours Truly Weddings and Events, Central & Eastern Iowa

BLUE VELVET COUCH: Borrow My Vintage, Eastern Iowa

JEWELRY: Bruce, Ashley & Clayton Owen, Owen Jewelry Design, Des Moines

MAKEUP: Sara Triplett, I Do Pretty, Ankeny HAIR: Mario, Solo by Mario, West Des Moines

MODELS: Cheyenne, @cheyenne.goode Hunter, @hunter.warne

ATTIRE & ACCESSORIES: Weddings by Design & The Tux Shop, West Des Moines

HEART LANDWEDDINGIDEAS.COM

Beautiful details of the shoot were captured by Sara Eivins – Sara Reus Photography.

Weddings by Design has a wide selection of wedding dresses. This giant flowing skirt is perfection.

The impeccable styling & floral throughout the entire day were made possible by Lynda of Lavender Blue Floral.

HEART LANDWEDDINGIDEAS.COM

Yours Truly Weddings and Events coordinated the day and made things run smoothly.

The Tux Shop can make sure your partner looks as good as you do!

The perfect jewels to complement your look from Bruce, Ashley & Clayton Owen of Owen Jewelry Design. The bride's natural makeup look was created by Sara Triplett, I Do Pretty, and her hair was done by Mario, Solo by Mario.

HEART LANDWEDDINGIDEAS.COM

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!

JENNIFER + BENJAMIN

AUNA + BRYAN

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

IT’S MY

Big

DAY

EASTERN IOWA

JENNIFER + BENJAMIN

UPSCALE U R BA N

The venue was dog friendly, which meant their pooch could join Jennifer while getting ready and for “family” photos.

HEART LANDWEDDINGIDEAS.COM

Elegant and urban with memorable dancing and a focus on family, Jennifer and Benjamin created a wedding day that perfectly represented them as a couple. Best of all, they had fun planning and pulling it off as a team! The couple first met while playing volleyball with friends and the two hit it off right away! They knew they could go the distance when they navigated the early days of their relationship right as the difficulties and uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic were unfolding. Benjamin popped the big question at one of their favorite local nature parks. It was an immediate “yes!” from Jennifer, and they quickly began the fun of envisioning their wedding day. Jennifer and Benjamin wanted an elegant, upscale, urban vibe, so they chose The HarMac industrial event space in Cedar Rapids. They also wanted to incorporate both of their favorite colors (green and orange) and found a gorgeous color palette of emerald, evergreen, copper, terracotta, and rose gold to bring throughout the entire day. All these details – plus adorable family photos with their pooch – were perfectly captured by the talented Carter Photography. Jennifer found her gorgeous wedding dress at Heart to Heart Bridal. The lacework and beading on the bodice paired perfectly with her delicate barrette and veil, which was handmade by one of her best friends who was a bridesmaid. What a treasured, heartfelt gift!

HEART LANDWEDDINGIDEAS.COM

IT’S MY

Big

DAY

EASTERN IOWA

The couple worked with Soirée Wedding

Leading up to the big day, Jennifer and

Planning to help identify vendors and

Benjamin took swing dancing lessons from

set expectations for the day. On a more

the Swing Dance Society in Cedar Rapids.

technical note, they shared that keeping all

Their instructor helped choreograph their

wedding-related documents in one place

first dance – which they nailed – and then

(like Google Drive) was super helpful.

taught a swing dancing lesson during the

“We had a lot of fun searching for ideas and

reception!

inspiration online, but it really came down

“It was a huge hit! It encouraged everyone

to first laying out what we ‘wanted’ versus

to get on the dance floor regardless of skill

‘needed,’” explains Benjamin.

or music preference, and everyone who

They determined the main goal (besides getting married) was to host an event for

participated got to learn something new,” says Jennifer.

family and friends to enjoy. This meant

Now, that’s a memorable way to fill the

focusing on a delicious dinner, top-notch

dance floor! Cheers to Jennifer and

meal service, and an unforgettably

Benjamin on a lifetime of love, celebration,

wedding cake.

and dancing.

V IS IT HEARTLANDWEDDINGIDEAS.COM TO SEE ALL OF JENNIFER + BENJAMIN'S BIG DAY!

HEART LANDWEDDINGIDEAS.COM

We love how the couple integrated both of their favorite colors (green and orange) – a sign of a balanced, united marriage to come!

HEART LANDWEDDINGIDEAS.COM

IT’S MY

Big

DAY

EASTERN IOWA

Jennifer’s veil was handmade by one of her best friends – such a special gift!

How cool is this custom cocktail ice stamp? An affordable way to leave your mark!

HEART LANDWEDDINGIDEAS.COM

JE N N I FE R + B E N JA M IN

WEDDING MOOD W EDDIN G ST Y L E NATURAL, ELEGANT

CO LO R PA L ET TE

515.266.1355 • Sue@CompleteDesMoines.com

COMPLETEDESMOINES.COM PHOTOGRAPHY • VIDEOGRAPHY • DJ PHOTO BOOTH • COORDINATION

HEART LANDWEDDINGIDEAS.COM

Historic Iowa City Event Venue Located in the Heart of Downtown 26 E. Market Street Iowa City, Iowa 52245

oldbrick.org 319.351.2626

HEART LANDWEDDINGIDEAS.COM

Main Hall has a capacity of up to 300 guests

Nothing Compares TO A WEDDING AT THE FAIRGROUNDS

Celebrate your special day at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Historic buildings, modern facilities and picturesque outdoor settings await you and your guests. Enjoy free, close parking for your guests, an accessible location and a staff ready to assist you with every detail. To schedule your wedding at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, visit iowastatefairgrounds.org or contact Off Season Events at 515-262-3111, ext 282.

3000 EAST GRAND AVENUE | DES IAD|W515.262.3111 H EMOINES, ARTLAN E D D I N G I D E AEXT S . C282 O M | IOWASTATEFAIRGOUNDS.ORG 27

HEART LANDWEDDINGIDEAS.COM

IT’S MY

Big

DAY

CENTRAL IOWA

EU RO PE A N STO RY B O O K

AUNA + BRYAN

We’re swooning for this romantic mermaid-style wedding dress.

HEART LANDWEDDINGIDEAS.COM

For Auna and Bryan, the perfect wedding day

Bryan decided to propose during a trip to

was an intimate, romantic celebration with

Hawaii when the couple was celebrating his

their closest family and friends. With a lot of

graduation from Drake University. They hiked

love and care, they created a day that honored

to the top of the gorgeous Kuli’ou’ou Ridge

their journey as a couple and was filled with

Trail when Bryan got down on one knee.

the joy of their married life to come.

“When I looked over at Bryan holding a ring:

The couple was first introduced through

I screamed, I cried, I shouted, I said YES! A

mutual friends in high school – but those

perfect proposal,” Auna remembers.

high schools were miles apart, Bryan at the Colorado School for the Deaf, and Auna at the Iowa School for the Deaf. Even with the distance, they decided to keep in touch, and their friendship grew into a closer, stronger “official” dating relationship.

The wedding day vibes were straight from the pages of a mythical European storybook. The couple wanted to pull off a soft, romantic feel that drew upon inspiration from nature – and we say, mission accomplished!

HEART LANDWEDDINGIDEAS.COM

IT’S MY

Big

DAY

CENTRAL IOWA

The ceremony and reception were set on

“With a smaller guest list, we were able to

the lawn of the gorgeous Salisbury House

spend time with each of our guests all night

and Gardens in Des Moines – where a stone

long,” Auna says. “It truly made it special

facade and backdrop of changing leaves

and unforgettable and feel like us.”

set the perfect tone. Their floral and decor pulled in natural elements like wood and macrame, with a color palette of rich reds, light browns, and dark oranges.

Drinks, sweets, and a photobooth were also a standout part of the reception! They had the Your Private Bar team serving up drinks, Outside Scoop Ice Cream truck for an extra

Auna and Bryan worked with Mostly Becky

sweet treat and a groovy photobooth set

Event Group throughout their planning

inside a retro Volkswagen bus.

process, which helped make their whole day come to life seamlessly! They also had fun DIY-ing some decor with many trips to Hobby Lobby and the help of family. The couple kept their guest list on the smaller side, with around 80 of their closest friends and family joining for the big day. Many of their inner circle of Deaf friends traveled from every corner of the country – Alaska, Florida, Texas, California, New Mexico and New York –

“Our wedding day was almost a 10-year milestone since we first started dating,” Auna explains. “Enjoying journey with such a special group of people was incredibly personal and unique.” Congratulations, Auna and Bryan! Your wedding day truly was a romantic and cherished celebration of where you’ve been and where you’re going.

to be a part of the special day.

VISIT HEARTLANDWEDDINGIDEAS.COM TO S EE ALL OF AUNA + BRYAN'S BIG DAY!

HEART LANDWEDDINGIDEAS.COM

Love to see the dried floral elements in this bridal bouquet!

HEART LANDWEDDINGIDEAS.COM

IT’S MY

Big

DAY

CENTRAL IOWA

HEART LANDWEDDINGIDEAS.COM

AU NA + BRYA N

WED DI N G MOO D W E DDI NG ST YL E HISTORIC, ROMANTIC, NATURAL

CO LO R PA L ET TE

VE ND O R LU ST PREMIER HEARTLAND WEDDING IDEAS VENDORS

Event Planning & Decor Design

Mostly Becky Event Group Bartending

HEART LANDWEDDINGIDEAS.COM