Heartland Wedding Ideas Sept/Oct Issue 2023 (Fall)

Hello fall! Cooler temps, falling leaves, tailgates, and cider. Whatever the season brings, we hope you are enjoying fun festivities.

This autumn issue has tons of inspiration. From a Halloween styled shoot to Hindu wedding I-Do's, you'll be sure to find ideas and vendors for your big day.

Dark, moody, romantic, and eerie can be found on the pages of a Halloween styled shoot organized by Elizabeth Bliss Events. We loved all the details, but especially the dry ice effects throughout the tablescape. Plus this shoot brings talent together from all over Iowa, from central to eastern it's sure to impress.

Our first 'It's My Big Day' is in central Iowa and features Vanessa + David's beautiful day — which was the first wedding held at one of Des Moines' newest wedding venues, Willow on Grand. The couple's adventurous spirit came to life in such personalized way throughout the space!

To close out the issue, we go to eastern Iowa for Shikha + Tyler's three-part wedding celebration. Their glamorous Indian wedding is unique and stunning and we couldn't pick which dress we loved Shika in more.

We hope you enjoy our latest issue as much as we loved putting it together. Please remember to send us your beautiful wedding stories and photos for a chance to featured in our upcoming issues.

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

EDITORS' LETTER

lust VENDOR VENUES

PICKING YOUR VENUE & YOUR WEDDING DATE

Finding your date and booking your venue go hand in hand. Our best advice, be flexible! Venue dates get booked up fast. Try being open to a month you'd like to get married in so you have more choices.

Venues are also a great resource to finding trusted wedding pros! They've worked with SO MANY other vendors, ask if they have a preferred vendor list or an exclusive vendor list you may have to choose from. Some vendors even offer extras like in-house bartending, coordination, decor, etc. All these things can help you find the right businesses and set your budget.

OUR PREMIER VENUES:

1868 Farmhouse // Barnes' Place // The Chateau // Decades Event Center // Emerald Hills

Hotel Fort Des Moines // Hotel Millwright // Iowa State Fairgrounds // The Iowa Taproom

Old Brick // Pella Opera House // Renaissance Savery Hotel // Scottish Rite Consistory

Sherwood Forest Event Center // World Food Prize – Hall of Laureates

ALL VENDORS

ATTIRE & TAILORING

Merci's Tailoring

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA

mercistailoring.com

Skeffington's Formal Wear

DES MOINES, IA skeffingtons.com

CAKE & DESSERT

Glorious Desserts

WINDSOR HEIGHTS, IA gloriousdesserts.com

Sweet Cactus Bakery

PLEASANT HILL, IA

sweetcactusbakery.com

CATERING

Baratta's DES MOINES, IA barattas.com

Christiani's Catering

DES MOINES, IA christianiscatering.com

DRINKS & BARTENDING

Apres Bar Co.

DES MOINES, IA apresbarco.com

Your Private Bar

WEST DES MOINES, IA yourprivatebar.com

EVENT PLANNING & DECOR

Beyond Elegance Party Rentals

WEST DES MOINES, IA beyondelegance.com

Complete Weddings + Events CLIVE, IA completewedo.com

Des Moines Wedding Show

CENTRAL IOWA desmoinesweddingshow.com

Eastern Iowa Wedding Show

IOWA CITY / CEDAR RAPIDS easterniowaweddingshow.com

Era Events & Design DES MOINES, IA eraeventdesign.com

Mostly Becky Event Group

CENTRAL IOWA mostlybecky.com

Shelly Sarver Designs

PELLA, IA

shellysarverdesigns.com

FLORAL

Shelly Sarver Designs

PELLA, IA

shellysarverdesigns.com

MUSIC

Complete Weddings + Events CLIVE, IA

completewedo.com

DJ DAS Entertainment DES MOINES, IA dj-das.com

PHOTOGRAPHY

Complete Weddings + Events CLIVE, IA completewedo.com

DeeDee Miller Photography ANKENY, IA deedeemillerphotography.net

Everlasting Photo CENTRAL IOWA everlastingphotoia.com

Jewel Boudoir Photo MILO, IA jewelboudoirphoto.com

Kara Vorwald Photography DES MOINES, IA karavorwald.com

Midwest LifeShots Photography DES MOINES, IA midwestlifeshots.com

SnapXP – Photobooth WEST DES MOINES, IA snapxp.com

STATIONERY

TandemHart Paperie DES MOINES, IA tandemhartpaperie.com

TRAVEL

Mosaic Shores Travel Co. DES MOINES, IA mosaicshores.com

Ovations Travel TIFFIN, IA ovationstravel.com

VENUES

1868 Farmhouse BOONE, IA 1868farmhouse.com

Barnes' Place ADEL, IA barnes-place.com

VENUES (CONTINUED)

Carper Vineyard & Winery NORWALK, IA carperwinery.com

The Chateau CAMBRIDGE, IA whiteoakchateau.com

Decades Event Center WEST DES MOINES, IA decadeswdm.com

Emerald Hills Events PROMISE CITY, IA emeraldhillsevents.com

Hotel Fort Des Moines DES MOINES, IA hotelfortdesmoines.com

Hotel Millwright AMANA, IA hotelmillwright.com

Iowa State Fairgrounds DES MOINES, IA iowastatefairgrounds.org

The Iowa Taproom DES MOINES, IA iowataproom.com

Old Brick IOWA CITY, IA oldbrick.org

Pella Opera House PELLA, IA pellaoperahouse.org

Renaissance Savery Hotel DES MOINES, IA renhotels.com

Scottish Rite Consistory DES MOINES, IA dmscottishrite.org

Sherwood Forest Event Center DES MOINES, IA sherwoodforesteventcenter.com

World Food Prize - Hall of Laureates DES MOINES, IA halloflaureates.org

FOR EVEN MORE AMAZING WEDDING PROS VISIT HEARTLANDWEDDINGIDEAS.COM/ALL-VENDORS

'Til Death Do Us Part

Candles, cobwebs, and crystals create an enchanting but oh so spooky wedding day. Inspired by the moody, dark vibes of the Halloween season – but absolutely not the pumpkins or color orange – Elizabeth Bliss Events pulled together a crew of incredible vendors from across central and eastern Iowa to explore what 'Til Death Do Us Part really means.

We’re absolutely hexed by the burgundy and plum florals, spooky-yet-romantic invitation suite, black lace wedding dress, and moody bridal portraits. What an ambiance! We love how these Iowa wedding pros understood the assignment – then took it to the next level to pull off this shoot. Even if skulls and tarot cards aren’t your wedding day vision, we think the romantic jewel tones, layers of texture, and intimate photo ops can absolutely be something to incorporate into fall and winter weddings.

STYLED SHOOT CENTRAL AND EASTERN IOWA

MEET THE WEDDING PROS

VENUE: Harpors Vineyard, Central Iowa

PHOTOGRAPHERS:

Missie Lafrenz Photography, Central Iowa

PLANNER & DESIGNER: Elizabeth Bliss Events, Eastern Iowa

NEON SIGN:

Mariglow Neon, Nationwide

VIDEOGRAPHER: Reed Shepherd Films, Eastern Iowa

FLORIST: Tulipsis Floral, Central Iowa

FURNITURE: Borrow My Vintage, Eastern Iowa

STATIONERY:

TandemHart Paperie, Central Iowa

DRESS: An Elegant Affair Bridal, Eastern Iowa

SUIT: Skeffington’s Formal Wear, Central & Eastern Iowa

HAIR & MAKEUP: Copper and Fringe, Central Iowa

RINGS & JEWELRY:

Owen Jewelry

Design, Central Iowa

CANDLES:

Flame and Flicker

Candle Co., Eastern Iowa

MODELS:

Darby @darbyjanes

Derek @dhaberl19

Elizabeth Bliss Events created a moody tablescape full of mystic.

Borrow My Vintage has the perfect pieces to complement any style.

Reed Shepherd Films captured all the behind-the-scenes footage of this magical shoot.

by Owen

is truly one of a kind.

Mariglow neon can help you create your perfect photo op!

These invites by TandemHart Paperie are hauntingly beautiful.

The jewelry

Jewelry Design

Tulipsis Floral arranged exquisite florals for these haunting I-do's.

Copper and Fringe makeup and hair created a flawless look.

The stunning styles on the models Darby & Derek were provided by An Elegant Affair Bridal and Skeffington’s Formal Wear.

Flame and

Candle Co. added the romantic candlelight to the beautiful tablescape.

Flicker

Harpors Vineyard provides a stunning backdrop for your wedding day.

Missie Lafrenz Photography captured the day, down to every last detail.

N othing 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.

BigDAY IT’S MY

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

SHIKAH + TYLER

VANESSA + DAVID

Big

VANESSA + DAVID

ADVENTURE ABOUNDS

Laughter, love, and adventure were all Vanessa and David needed to start their lives together. But thanks to their incredible friends, family, and wedding pros, their joy-filled, gorgeous wedding day delivered even more special moments than they could’ve imagined!

The couple both grew up in Des Moines but first met at Creighton University where they ran cross country. Over the course of team dinners, bus rides to meets, and races cheering for one another they realized they never wanted to stop spending time together.

As their love grew, so too, did their adventures together. The duo made the most of a few stints of long-distance dating, and finally ended up together in Denver, Colorado. It was fitting that David popped the big question during a climb to the top of Mt. Bierstadt in Denver, which was Vanessa’s first “14er.” What a high!

Vanessa and David wanted light and airy vibes for their wedding day, which made Willow on Grand the perfect reception venue. They even had the extra special experience of being the first-ever wedding held at the gorgeous event space.

Their copper, gold, champagne, and blush color palette made a stunning combination. It felt natural yet elegant at the same time — just like the bride! These tones were thoughtfully pulled through bridesmaid dresses, stationery, and gorgeous bouquets and centerpieces designed by CamBam Custom Floral.

One of Vanessa and David’s favorite parts of the planning process was adding small touches to make the day feel like “us.” They picked an upbeat song for their first dance and took

dance classes before the big day — it was a fun experience that grounded them as a couple throughout the planning.

The couple worked closely with TandemHart Paperie to design stationery that reflected their relationship. They incorporated elements such as a sketch of the mountains and a map of where their relationship took them in their stunning invitation suite. They also created a “Find your face to find your place!” escort card wall with each guest’s picture and table number — it was a fun touch and topic of conversation!

“We first scoured the internet to brainstorm invite ideas, then we met with Alesha of TandemHart Paperie and she put together an idea board which was really helpful and custom to us,” Vanessa says. “Alesha made it easy and enjoyable.”

One of the most memorable moments was during the wedding ceremony at St. Timothy’s. The electricity went out about a half hour before the ceremony, which meant the electric piano wouldn’t work. David and his groomsmen carried a (very heavy) piano up from the church basement and the wedding continued on … and just as the couple joined hands at the altar, the power came back on!

“Taking moments to just laugh and be with your spouse is my best wedding day advice,” Vanessa says. “Nothing eases nerves more than goofing around with your best friend.”

Cheers to this beautiful couple and a lifetime filled with adventure together!

VISIT HEARTLANDWEDDINGIDEAS.COM TO SEE ALL OF VANESSA AND DAVID'S BIG DAY!

Love this unique escort card wall. Guests were greeted by a photo of themselves to find their table

The bride’s wedding day purse was made out of her mom’s wedding dress.

Vanessa’s maid of honor and longtime childhood friend sang Ave Maria before she went down the aisle. It was a beautiful way to start the ceremony!

VANESSA + DAVID

WEDDING MOOD

WEDDING STYLE

NATURAL, ELEGANT

COLOR PALETTE

VENDOR LUST

PREMIER HEARTLAND WEDDING IDEAS VENDORS

Invites & Day of Materials

TandemHart Paperie

Ceremony Venue St. Timothy’s

Reception Venue & Decor Willow on Grand

Photographer Ivory and Bliss Photography

Videographer D Barrett Studios | Caterer & Desserts Taste! To Go | Bride's Hair Shelby

Makeup Katy Douglas | Nails Oscar Nail Salon

Wedding Dress Denver, Co. Boutique | Floral

CamBam Custom Floral | Officiants Reverend Mary Cole-Duvall, Monsignor Michael Hess, Deacon Jeanie Smith | Custom Jewelry 2AU

Limited, Ann Au | Event Planner & Day of Coordination Lee Johnson, Something

Borrowed | Ceremony Music Anna Coleman, Jackson Doud, and Don Agee | Reception Band

Galaxy, St. Louis | Hotel AC Hotel

Love these chairs and table settings at Willow On Grand.

SHIKHA + TYLER

HINDU I-DO'S

The couple wanted an intimate atmosphere and to honor their families and diverse backgrounds.

Deeply personal elements, glamorous vibes, and Indian influences melded flawlessly to create Shikha and Tyler’s unforgettable threepart wedding celebration.

The couple’s first date was a high-stakes trivia night where they came in dead last. Luckily, they gave trivia another go on their second date and came in first place — a sure sign they could be successful teammates for life!

In what Tyler thought was a surprise, he proposed during a hike at Chautauqua Park in Boulder, Colorado, a special place for the couple. The surprises continued later that day as Tyler arranged a gathering of the couple’s

dearest family and friends to celebrate the engagement.

When the two began planning their big day, they wanted a traditional “big fat Indian wedding” while preserving an intimate atmosphere — and most importantly, a celebration that honored their families and diverse backgrounds. They chose The Merrill Hotel in Muscatine as the venue, and the event team went above and beyond to make their vision a reality.

The celebration included three distinct events, each with their own theme …

first, a Welcome Sangeet Night that evoked the charm of “Old Bollywood” with gold and jewel tones. The ceremony was a balance of modernity and tradition — incorporating minimalist, airy elements while preserving a Hindu ceremony. Shikha wore a stunning beaded and embroidered white lehenga and gold jewelry. And to end with a bang, the reception drew inspiration from “Old Hollywood” glamour, with the bride wearing an incredible red dress, a live band, red carpet, and even a fireworks display! The details of the all-out celebration were captured perfectly by Michale of Mississippi Pearl Photography.

Shikha and Tyler made their day especially personal by incorporating distinct Indian elements, like traditional attire and jewelry for family and the wedding party, authentic Indian cuisine, henna artists and even a Baraat horse. Tyler’s father handmade a Mandap which

added a special touch to the ceremony space. Not a detail was left undone thanks to the careful coordination and recommendations of their event planner Emily at Soiree.

One of the couple’s favorite moments was during their welcome night. The event is marked by performances, singing, and dancing — which kicked off the wedding weekend in an unforgettable way.

“Watching our family and wedding party step out of their comfort zones to participate was a touching testament to their love,” Shikha says. “This shared celebration created a magical collision of worlds that will forever stay with us.”

Completely magical! A weekend of love, boundless energy, and friends and family made an incredible start to married life for Shikha and Tyler.

The reception drew inspiration from “Old Hollywood” glamour, with the bride wearing an incredible red dress.

WEDDING MOOD

WEDDING STYLE

INDIAN, GLAMOROUS

COLOR PALETTE

VENDOR LUST

Wedding Planner Soiree Wedding Planning

Photography Mississippi Pearl Photography

Videographer Glenwood Weddings Video

Floral Hydrangea Bloom | Ceremony & Reception Venue The Merrill Hotel, Muscatine, Iowa | Hair Salon Incognito | Makeup Mallory

Fitzgerald | Desserts West Hill Cakery & Big Cat's Cafe | Bride's Ceremony Dress Crossover

Chicago | Bride's Reception Dress Sunaina

Khera | Catering A Guy & A Grill and The Merrill Hotel | Reception Music Diamond Empire Band

Rentals I Do Events & Unique Events

Horse Royal Carriage Ltd.

SHIKHA + TYLER