We are excited to kick off the issue with a beautiful styled shoot at the World Food Prize! The historical elegance of the venue is a one of a kind venue in downtown Des Moines and wait until you see the candlelit staircase, gorg!
Check out our Attire & Beauty vendor LUST section to meet and be inspired by our incredible wedding pros. You'll be sure to find the perfect vendor to make your vision come to life.
Our first 'It's My Big Day' is in Eastern Iowa featuring vintage stylings for Olivia + Nelson's wedding. The Celebration Farm's outdoor amphitheater provided the perfect natural backdrop for their day.
Next, we go to Central Iowa for an elopement with Megan + Eric. The photo opportunities throughout Des Moines made this wedding unique and fun to follow. Our favorite photo stop was Varsity Cinema, see the cover for a sneak peak. How fun!
We hope that you find some inspiration, ideas, and vendors for your upcoming wedding. 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. We hope you are enjoying summer.
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WEBSITE: HeartlandWeddingIdeas.com
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CENTRAL IOWA
STYLED SHOOT
Timeless Elegance
Sweet Story Photography
Timeless elegance is the name of the game in this incredible styled shoot at the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates in Des Moines. We just love how all these central Iowa vendors came together to create a full-blown wedding day – covering everything from a stunning bridal party to desserts to a packed dance floor. It shows how skills, teamwork, and vision can come together to create a gorgeous day from start to finish!
MEET THE WEDDING PROS
PHOTOGRAPHER / CONTENT
Katie McDonald Photography
@katiemcdonaldphotography
PHOTOGRAPHER / VIDEOGRAPHER
Sweet Story Photography @sweetstoryphoto
PLANNING
Out of Box Productions @outofboxproductions
VENUE
World Food Prize @halloflaureates
CATERING
The Tangerine Food Company
@tangerinefoodco
FLORALS
Artisan Floral & Events
@artisanfloralandevents
MAKEUP & HAIR
I Do Pretty
@idoprettyinc
BRIDE'S PARTY ATTIRE
Bridal Connection
@bridalconnectiondsmTUX
GROOM'S PARTY ATTIRE
Skeffington’s Formal Wear
@skeffingtonsformalwear
INVITATIONS & SIGNAGE
TandemHart Paperie
@tandem_hart
LIVE PAINTER
Kaylee Maasdam
@fruitedpaint
DANCEFLOOR
Rhum Productions @rhumproductions
DJ
STE Event Group
@steeventgroup
Katie McDonald Photography
The decor and florals feel stately thanks to a keen eye for detail and design.
The curve and typography on the menu and program are just so elegant from TandemHart Paperie.
We adore an outfit change, and Bridal Connection delivered with 3 dresses, from ceremony, to reception, and finally the PARTY!
A wedding-day painting is something a couple can cherish forever.
There are never-ending photo ops and inspiration throughout the stunning World Food Prize Hall of Laureates and grounds.
We love the little details, the delicate pearls and pins used in the bride's hair is the perfect touch.
Every element was captured flawlessly by both Katie McDonald Photography and Sweet Story Photography. Be sure to check out the flags at the top of the page for who shot what!
Why should the bride have all the fun with an outfit change?! A white tux jacket means it’s time for the dance floor! Skeffington's always knows how to style a suit or tux to fit the occiasion.
VENDOR lust
SPOTLIGHT ON ATTIRE & BEAUTY
FIND YOUR PERFECT LOOK
Shopping for your perfect wedding gown, dress, suit, or tuxedo is an exciting time, filled with anticipation and dreams for your day. As you begin shopping, be aware that designer sizing is VERY different from department store sizing. Many sizing charts are based on European couture standards from decades ago. This means the numbers on the tags can be misleading. Instead, focus on what fits your shape and plan for necessary alterations, rather than stressing over the size label.
Come prepared with inspiration! Bring photos or a Pinterest board to help the stylist understand your vision. Having a clear idea of what you like will make the shopping experience smoother and more enjoyable. Specialty boutiques offer one-on-one assistance, helping you find a silhouette you might not have considered. They're professionals for a reason!
Don’t forget to bring your preferred undergarments and shoes to ensure a proper fitting. And of course, invite a few trusted friends or family members whose opinions you value.
Remember, ordering and altering take time, so start early! Even for “off-the-rack” items and tuxedos need a proper fitting. Scheduling it well in advance ensures everything fits perfectly for your big day!
We always say, avoid drastic changes right before the wedding. That goes double for your beauty routine. Try out new things like exfoliants, serums, and deep conditioning hair masks well in advance. These products need time to work, plus you don't want a bad reaction to a product right before your wedding. Slow and steady wins the race!
Consider a spray tan to achieve a sun-kissed glow, but schedule a trial session weeks ahead to ensure it complements your skin tone. Decreasing stress and staying hydrated is also a path to looking your best. Maybe it's a monthly massage leading up to your big day to help decompress. Or to help with hydration you can opt for a vitamin drip IV. It's a great way to bounce you back from your bachelorette party or schedule more frequently to get ongoing benefits.
You'll be well on your way to looking and feeling your best on your wedding day!
OUR PREMIER BEAUTY PROS:
Bare Tones Organic Spray Tanning // dsm Salon // vIVid Wellness, Aesthetics, and Lifestyle // Wandering Sage Massage
dsm salon
VENDOR
OUR PREMIER WEDDING PROS
lust
ATTIRE & TAILORING
Bridal Connection
ANKENY, IA bridalconnectiondsm.com
Merci's Tailoring
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA mercistailoring.com
Skeffington's Formal Wear DES MOINES, IA skeffingtons.com
BEAUTY & WELLNESS
Bare Tones
Organic Spray Tanning Bar CEDAR RAPIDS, IA baretonescr.com
dsm Salon DES MOINES, IA dsmsalonandspa.com
vIVid Wellness / Aesthetics / Lifestyle DES MOINES & NORWALK, IA livin-vivid.com
Wandering Sage Massage DES MOINES, IA wanderingsagemassage.com
CATERING
Baratta's DES MOINES, IA barattas.com
Bash DES MOINES, IA bashdsm.com
Cedar Ridge Distillery SWISHER, IA cedarridgedistillery.com
Hy-Vee Catering & Deli IOWA hy-vee.com/stores
The Iowa Taproom DES MOINES, IA iowataproom.com
CATERING (CONTINUED)
Lidderdale Country Store
CENTRAL IOWA lidderdalecountrystore.com
CAKE & DESSERT
The Bake Shoppe WINDSOR HEIGHTS, IA thebakeshoppe.org
Glorious Desserts WINDSOR HEIGHTS, IA gloriousdesserts.com
Hy-Vee Bakery IOWA hy-vee.com/stores
BARTENDING & DRINKS
Apres Bar Co. DES MOINES, IA apresbarco.com
Your Private Bar WEST DES MOINES, IA yourprivatebar.com
DECOR & RENTALS
Bella Flora Event Design
URBANDALE, IA bellafloraeventdesign.com
Beyond Elegance Party Rentals WEST DES MOINES, IA beyondelegance.com
Bridal Connection
Above photo by: Everlasting Photo
Skeffington's Formal Wear
VENDOR
lust
DECOR & RENTALS (CONTINUED)
Era Events & Design DES MOINES, IA eraeventdesign.com
Royal Rental Co., Restroooms IOWA rentwithroyal.com
Shelly Sarver Designs PELLA, IA shellysarverdesigns.com
EVENT PLANNING
Bella Flora Event Design URBANDALE, IA bellafloraeventdesign.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
Shelly Sarver Designs PELLA, IA shellysarverdesigns.com
FLORAL
Bella Flora Event Design URBANDALE, IA bellafloraeventdesign.com
Hy-Vee Floral IOWA hy-vee.com/stores
Shelly Sarver Designs PELLA, IA shellysarverdesigns.com
MUSIC
Complete Weddings + Events CLIVE, IA completewedo.com
MUSIC (CONTINUED)
DJ DAS Entertainment DES MOINES, IA dj-das.com
Vows & Vibes DES MOINES, IA vowsandvibes.com
OFFICIANT Vows & Vibes DES MOINES, IA vowsandvibes.com
PHOTOGRAPHY
Complete Weddings + Events CLIVE, IA completewedo.com
Everlasting Photo CENTRAL IOWA everlastingphotoia.com
PHOTOGRAPHY (CONTINUED)
Midwest LifeShots Photography DES MOINES, IA midwestlifeshots.com
SnapXP – Photobooth WEST DES MOINES, IA snapxp.com
Sweet Story Photography CENTRAL IOWA sweetstoryphoto.com
STATIONERY & GIFTS
Humble Hands
DES MOINES, IA humblehandsjg.com
TandemHart Paperie DES MOINES, IA tandemhartpaperie.com
TRAVEL
Mosaic Shores Travel Co. DES MOINES, IA mosaicshores.com
VENUES
1868 Farmhouse BOONE, IA 1868farmhouse.com
Barnes' Place ADEL, IA barnes-place.com
Bash DES MOINES, IA bashdsm.com
Cedar Ridge Distillery SWISHER, IA cedarridgedistillery.com
The Chateau CAMBRIDGE, IA whiteoakchateau.com
Curate DES MOINES,, IA curatedsm.com
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden DES MOINES, IA dmbotanicalgarden.com
Hotel Millwright AMANA, IA hotelmillwright.com
Iowa State Fairgrounds DES MOINES, IA iowastatefairgrounds.org
VENUES (CONTINUED)
The Iowa Taproom DES MOINES, IA iowataproom.com
Old Brick IOWA CITY, IA oldbrick.org
Pella Opera House PELLA, IA pellaoperahouse.org
Prairie Meadows Event Center ALTOONA, IA prairiemeadows.com
Scottish Rite Consistory DES MOINES, IA dmscottishrite.org
Sherwood Forest Event Center DES MOINES, IA sherwoodforesteventcenter.com
Sunset Ridge Barn PROLE, IA sunsetridgebarn.com
World Food Prize, Hall of Laureates DES MOINES, IA halloflaureates.org
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
MEGAN + ERIC
OLIVIA + NELSON
CLASSIC LOVE OLIVIA + NELSON
Olivia and Nelson have always loved making annual summer hiking trips throughout the western U.S. Their adventures reached new heights in July 2022, when they were at the summit of the Mount of the Holy Cross near Vail, Colorado, and Nelson popped the big question. It was an easy “yes!” from Olivia. The proposal was made even sweeter with a gorgeous view of the mountains and surprise celebration with their families afterward.
In dreaming up their wedding day, Olivia and Nelson knew they wanted a classic, timeless look. It was all about neutrals, classic décor, and lots of florals. They also brought in a touch of dusty blue in the table settings, vintage seating, floral arrangements — a beautiful way to add to the timeless look!
The Celebration Farm in Iowa City was the perfect venue for their big day. Nestled among the trees with an outdoor amphitheater for the ceremony and indoor reception space, the limestone arches and fireplace made a stunning classic setting. We love the ground-level floral created by E’s Floral that doubled as a ceremony backdrop and installation in front of the head table.
Olivia wore an elegant v-neck dress from Pure Bridal, paired perfectly with her light curls and natural makeup. And of course, Nelson looked sharp in his classic black tux from
Skeffington’s. The couple decided not to do a first look before the ceremony. Seeing one another for the first time while walking down the aisle was a memory neither will forget!
Throughout the planning process, they worked closely with Gina, of Make it Happen Events, to pull off the big day. She helped recommend vendors, make sure no detail went unnoticed, and help things run smoothly.
“Gina helped us have a stress-free wedding day, where we didn’t need to worry about a thing or make a decision,” says Olivia.
The couple worked with Apres Bar Co. and the always-delicious Lidderdale Country Store Catering for reception food and drink.
Apres Bar Co. created signature his/hers cocktails — “The Rocky Mountain” and “Pikes Peak” — that tied into the couple’s love of hiking.
One of Nelson’s favorite moments of the day was their first dance. They danced to Lifetime by Justin Bieber, and enjoyed the chance to slow down, talk about the day, and appreciate being in the presence of their friends and family. BCP Weddings DJ had the dance floor rocking for the rest of the night, a fitting celebration for the fun-loving couple.
Here’s to a lifetime of love and continuing to reach new heights together! Congratulations, Olivia and Nelson!
We love the ground-level floral that doubled as a centerpiece for the ceremony and reception!
WEDDING MOOD
WEDDING STYLE
VINTAGE, CLASSIC, EARTHY
COLOR PALETTE
VENDOR LUST
PREMIER WEDDING VENDORS
Caterer
Lidderdale Country Store Catering
Tuxes
Skeffington's Formal Wear
Bartending
Apres Bar Company
ALL WEDDING VENDORS
Photographer Lauren Fehr Photography
Videographer The Vine Productions
Venue The Celebration Farm | Caterer
Lidderdale Country Store Catering
Cake Ami’s Cakes | Bartending Apres Bar Co.
Floral E’s Florals | Wedding Dress Pure Bridal
Tuxes Skeffington’s Formal Wear | Hair The Mint
Makeup The Pretty Lane | Stationery Minted
Jewelry Hands Jewelers | Event Planner
Gina Cramer, Make it Happen Events
Extra Rentals R&D Events | Vintage Rentals
Borrow My Vintage | Officiant Brooks Simpson
Music BCP Weddings | Hotel The Radisson
Hotel & Conference Center
MEGAN + ERIC
ELOPE DSM
A wedding is your special day — so why not do it your way? Megan and Eric created a one-ofa-kind elopement that included visits to their most beloved places in Des Moines.
The couple’s wedding day was perfectly curated for their love story, which began when they were introduced by mutual friends while working at Des Moines Beer Week. As their relationship grew, so did their four-legged family and love for exploring the city’s restaurants, parks, and entertainment scene.
When dreaming up the perfect proposal for Megan, Eric wanted their dog Bodhi to “pawpose” alongside him. After a few months of training to learn the new trick, Eric decided it was time, and the couple took their dogs for a relaxing walk on family land in Baxter. When it came time to get down on one knee, Bodhi did not cooperate — but Eric still popped the big question. Bodhi showed off his trick the next day when there was less pressure, and as you can imagine, it was extremely cute!
Megan and Eric knew they didn’t want a big wedding, and maybe not even a wedding at all. They initially planned to elope but couldn’t quite settle on when or where — so when they came
Megan surprised Eric with his grandparents’ wedding rings to wear the day of the wedding.
We love the natural and personal touch these pheasant feathers bring to the Wildflower DSM bouquet.
up with the idea of an in-town elopement at all their favorite places in Des Moines, they knew it was the exact right fit. Their day began with a small ceremony and private vows along the shoreline at Maffitt Reservoir.
Megan looked stunning in her custom dress made by Dame & Maiden. She says the owner Sarah went above and beyond to combine two designs and find just the right lace to create a dream dress. Megan’s natural beauty was highlighted with simple curls by hairbyBrianne and makeup by Ivy Boyd Makeup.
After the ceremony, the couple created “unity cocktails” that represented their relationship — an Americano with equal parts Campari and vermouth — served in glasses with
pheasants on them, a nod to Eric’s love of hunting upland birds with their dog Utah.
Megan carried a gorgeous bouquet designed by Wildflower DSM that was wrapped in a necklace with her grandparents’ wedding bands. It had beautiful natural elements with unique textures and even included pheasant tail feathers from the first bird Eric and Utah got together.
Their first stop after Maffitt Reservoir was Paws & Pints to see their best pups, then they made their way to the Varsity Cinema (complete with popcorn and a custom marquee!). They continued the celebration at Bartender’s Handshake and Lua Brewing, then enjoyed dinner at their favorite restaurant Harbinger and ended the day at Surety Hotel.
The teams at each stop were incredible to work with and made sure everything came together the way the couple envisioned.
CENTRAL IOWA
“Each venue went above and beyond in helping us coordinate these stops and allow us the space and time to get the photos,” Megan explains. “We wanted to time the day around ensuring we got to these places before they got busy for the day, and everyone we worked with was very gracious and supportive and wanted to make sure the day felt special.”
The entire experience was captured flawlessly by Grace T. Photography. Megan says Grace took the time to get to know the couple and their vision for the day, while also making them both comfortable in front of the camera.
Reflecting on their day, Megan shares a reminder that a wedding day should be all about you and your partner.
“Do whatever you and your partner want to do and make it personal and special to YOU, not what anyone else wants. It is your day, and you both deserve to enjoy it more than anyone else,” Megan says.
Cheers to Megan and Eric and their journey ahead!
Getting married on a Tuesday meant the couple got to pick any vendor they wanted!
MEGAN + ERIC
WEDDING MOOD
WEDDING STYLE ELOPEMENT, UNIQUE, PERSONAL COLOR PALETTE
VENDOR LUST
Ceremony Maffitt Lake Reservoir | Venues
Paws & Pints, Varsity Cinema, Bartender’s Handshake, Lua Brewing | Photography Grace T. Photography | Floral Wildflower DSM | Custom dress Dame & Maiden | Suit Todd Snyder | Hair hairbyBrianne | Makeup Ivy Boyd Wedding Bands Handmade by LOLiDE Hotel Surety Hotel | Officiant Pete Holmgren
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, 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.
