Heartland Wedding Ideas Nov/Dec Issue 2022 (Early Winter)

NOV/DEC 2022

STYLED SHOOT

LIGHT, NEUTRAL, & BEAUTIFUL

IT'S MY BIG DAY SHAE + BRANDON NICOLE + CHAD

VENDOR SPOTLIGHT

EMERALD HILLS

Contents

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

8-11 ST Y L E D S H O OT: L I G H T, N E U T R A L , & BEAUTIFUL

EDITORS' LETTER

It's hard to believe the holidays are here! We know that the change of seasons can bring on new engagements, and if that's YOU, congratulations! What an exciting time to show off your ring and hunker down for the winter to start planning. We hope that you'll continue to grab a new issue of Heartland Wedding Ideas every two months.

This issue has it all! From classic to rustic to a MAXIMALIST NYE celebration, we know you'll have inspiration overload.

Our first feature is a neutral beauty styled shoot at Emerald Hills. You'll fall in love with this venue as soon as you see it styled to perfection by a team of A-list vendors.

Next up we feature Shae + Brandon's wedding in Eastern Iowa. You'll love this rustic, fall wedding and all the earthy tones, but wait until you see the draped ceiling of The Red Barn, it's incredible! You can pick up your jaw now.

14-15 V E N D O R S P OT L I G H T: EMERALD HILLS

18-25 I T ' S M Y B I G D AY : SHAE + BRANDON

28-33 I T ' S M Y B I G D AY : NICOLE + CHAD

Special thanks to this crew:

We close out with a bang with Nicole + Chad's NYE nuptials. Can we talk about COLOR?! We were swooning as soon as we saw it. We love that you can make your day a huge celebration by incorporating holidays as well.

Remember to get tickets for the winter edition of the Des Moines and Eastern Iowa Wedding Shows. It's an excellent planning resource. We hope to see you there!

X OX O,

A lesha & Lisa CALL OR TEXT: 515.635.1608 | EMAIL: info@HeartlandWeddingIdeas.com WEBSITE: HeartlandWeddingIdeas.com

Kelly Visser

Copy Editor

Sophia Lacy

Copywriter Intern

Marissa Sakakhanone Graphic Design Intern

Follow us!

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

COVER PHOTO: LAURA WILLS PHOTOGRAPHY PUBLISHER: HEARTLAND WEDDING PARTNERS PRINTING: SUTHERLAND PRINTING

YOU'RE GETTING

#partywithcomplete

PHOTOGRAPHY • VIDEOGRAPHY • DJ PHOTO BOOTH • LIGHTING • COORDINATION Contact us to mix and match our services to meet your needs and budget!

515.266.1355 • Sue@CompleteDesMoines.com

COMPLETEDESMOINES.COM

Catering, Events & Italian Restaurant • barattas.com 2320 S. Union Des Moines, IA • 515.243.4516 HEART LANDWEDDINGIDEAS.COM

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Kate Bryant Photography

Seating up to 300

7400 Hickman Rd

Choose any caterer

Windsor Heights, IA

Full liquor license

515-650-0907

SherwoodForestEventCenter.com 6

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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 EXT H EMOINES, ARTLAN EDDINGIDEA S . C282 O M | IOWASTATEFAIRGOUNDS.ORG 7

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LIGHT, NEUTRAL, & BEAUTIFUL Meet The Wedding Pros: Venue | Emerald Hills Events Photography | Nicole Laing Photography Planning & Design Yours Truly Weddings and Events Rentals | Lane Collective by Shelly Sarver Designs, Vowed Vintage, Yours Truly Weddings and Events Stationery Yours Truly Weddings and Events Tanning | Emberglow Custom Spray Tanning

Raise your hand if you love the detail shots most?!

Every detail captured perfectly by Nicole Laing Photography.

Tuxes & Suits Skeffington's Formal Wear Cakes | Farm Flour Bakery & Mollys Cupcakes Florals | Shelly Sarver Designs Gowns | Modern Dress Hair Stylist | Tease Salon Makeup Artist Jules Beauty Linens | Beyond Elegance Rentals | Borrow My Vintage

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The back is so good! The draping on the front and back creates a chic look from Modern Dress. We can't not talk about the PEARLS in the hair. Tease Salon really created a one-of-a-kind look with this hairstyle.

We love this neutral color palette and the florals give the perfect touch.

Featuring florals from the talented Shelly Sarver Designs.

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Emerald Hills blends farmhouse charm, modern elegance, and Southern Iowa class. Plus it has a stunning view of Iowa's rolling hills.

We love The Flour Stand by Farm + Flour Bakery! And wait until you try their farm-to-table treats! It's truly divine.

Yours Truly Wedding & Events knows boho chic. We adore this intimate floor party with low-lying tables paired with stylish cushions.

Can I sit with you, please?!

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Skeffingtons Formal Wear knows how to dress!

Look how sharp this tux is.

Oh and it gets even better, when you double down on desserts from Molly's Cupcakes and Farm + Flour Bakery.

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VENDOR S POTLIG HT

Located just south of Des Moines and a stone's throw from Rathbun Lake State Wildlife Area, Emerald Hills overlooks the rolling hills of Southern Iowa. The wildflowers, wooded pathways, and meadows are a romantic backdrop for the skillfully designed venue space. Every detail has been carefully thought out to make your wedding seamless.

It blends farmhouse charm, modern elegance, and Southern Iowa class.

View more of the styled shoot at Emerald Hills on page 8.

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VENUE HIGHLIGHTS ROLLING HILLS OF SOUTHERN IOWA

Set among scenic rolling hills, the landscape creates a romantic backdrop for your big day.

You'll be charmed by the natural setting and breathtaking views.

EVENT SPACES

Exclusive use of The Grand Room, The Loft, The Main Lawn, and The Veranda + West Lawn.

OUTDOOR SPACES

The lawn and patio space is complete with direct bar access, six cocktail tables, two fire pits, bistro lighting, and three heaters for colder weather.

ACCOMMODATES UP TO 500 GUEST

SET UP AND TEAR DOWN IS A BREEZE

Set up and tear down of reception tables and chairs and end-of-event cleaning services is all included in the venue rental.

Emerald Hills PROMISE CITY, IA

641-417-9994 info@emeraldhillsevents.com See more at HeartlandWeddingIdeas.com

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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!

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NICOLE + CHAD

SHAE + BRANDON

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

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IT’S MY

Big

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EASTERN IOWA

One of the couple’s most memorable moments was getting the golden hour shot with their photographer, Shelby Sawyer.

They drove out into an open prairie and were able to take a breath and watch their guests enjoying the evening from afar.

SHAE + BRANDON

CHA R M E D I OWA L IF E 20

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Brandon knew exactly how he was going to ask Shae to marry him. These high school sweethearts had moved to Des Moines, but home was the small town of Marengo, Iowa. Since it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary to plan a trip back home, Brandon decided that would be the perfect cover.

“He even went back home a few days before me, and I didn’t think anything of it!” Shae told us. Once Shae got there, he had a whole day planned, so she started to think something might be up. He had planned a date for them on the lake where they had their first date back in high school. He had a light-wrapped arch, flowers, and a bottle of wine with a picture of the couple on the label. “It was perfect!” Shae said.

The after the proposal by the lake and the couple’s love of the outdoors, they decided a very natural, neutral, and rustic-themed wedding would be the perfect vibe for their day.

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Many of the decorations were handmade, like

the offering at The Red Barn at Pine Creek

the tree trunk centerpieces — they were from

Ranch. It’s the perfect clean (and gorgeous)

trees from Shae’s childhood home. We also love

slate to start from, plus the reclaimed wood

the trend of handwritten seating charts, and

chandelier is the perfect focal point in all that

Shae decided to do so herself on an antique

draping.

glass window. We love the personal touch.

One of the couple’s most memorable

“It was important that we supported local

moments was when they took golden hour

too,” Shae told us. Many of their vendors were

shots with their photographer, Shelby Sawyer.

from Iowa. Their venue, The Red Barn, helped

They drove out into an open prairie on the

Shae choose some of her vendors as well,

venue property, so the reception was right in

which is a great tip! Most wedding pros have

the background. “We were able to slow down,

been doing this long enough they always

Shelby captured a beautiful sunset, and we

have a list of others they like working with.

got to watch our guests enjoying the night,"

No one better than the people that work in

Shae said. The glow of the prairie grass all

the biz to recommend others.

around Shae and Brandon was a spectacular

One of our favorite things from their day is the luxurious draped tent that’s part of

way to capture a beautiful evening and a special moment.

V IS IT HEARTLANDWEDDINGIDEAS.COM TO SEE ALL OF SHAE AND BRANDON'S BIG DAY!

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The couple immediately fell in love with the luxurious draped tent that's a part of the offering at The Red Barn.

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The favorite Thecouple centerpieces part of thetree wedding featured trunk planning was trying all the pieces from Shae’s wonderful home. flavorsWhat from childhood Molly’s Cupcakes. a personal touch!

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S H AE + BRA N DON

WEDDI N G M OOD W E DDI NG ST YL E RUSTIC, EARTHY, NEUTRAL

CO LO R PA L ET TE

VE ND O R LU ST PREMIER HEARTLAND WEDDING IDEAS VENDORS

Suits

Skeffington’s Formal Wear

Photographer Shelby Sawyer Photography | Ceremony & Reception Venue The Red Barn at Pine Creek Ranch | Rehearsal Dinner Hotel Millwright, Amana | Caterer Brooklyn Grocery | Cake Iced Bakery | Floral E’s Floral Makeup MC Beauty & Skin | Nail Salon Dluk Nails and Spa | Veil Etsy | Wedding Dress Brides by Jessa | Jewelry Elegance on Fifth Bridesmaid Dresses Azazle, Birdy Grey, Lulus, ASOS | Ceremony & Reception Music Encore Entertainment | Hotel Millwright

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IT’S MY

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CENTRAL IOWA

NICOLE + CHAD

NYE WEDDING 28

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For Nicole's something blue, she had her papa’s Air Force badge sewn into her dress.

We are in love with Nicole and Chad’s

photographer just to get a few spring photos

NYE Wedding! With romantic jewel tones,

together. Little did Nicole know that Chad

bright neons and disco balls, their wedding

planned to propose during the session. She

started the new year and their marriage off

was so surprised and said yes! Even better,

with a bang.

friends and family from all across the country

The two were introduced through mutual

had come to celebrate with them afterward.

friends in January 2020. Meeting at a game

The wedding was full of special touches that

night, they both were super competitive and

the couple will cherish forever. Nicole wore

were from rival schools, Iowa and Iowa State.

a gorgeous gown with pearls trickling all

They instantly hit it off and even won the

throughout. For her something blue, she had

game of Monikers together. Little did they

her late papa’s Air Force badge sewn into

know over a year later they would be married!

her dress. Nicole had planned to have him

For the proposal, the couple had picked out the engagement ring a few weeks prior, but Nicole was totally surprised when Chad got down on one knee! The couple had a mini-shoot with a

walk her down the aisle for years and she always wanted to share this special moment together. Unfortunately, he passed away a few years before. The badge felt like a part

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of him was with her as she and her brother

their table and as the altar. All the decor was

walked down the aisle. A beautiful moment

colorful with details of gold and jewel tones.

in the ceremony.

For a personal touch, the two had signature

Wildflower, the couple’s planner, was extremely helpful with finding great vendors and bringing

cocktails named after their dogs for guests to enjoy.

their vision to life. They knew they wanted

The entire evening was captured by Laura

a New Year’s Eve wedding but didn’t want

Wills Photography. She did a fantastic job

the traditional black and gold. Luckily, their

highlighting their bright and bold theme.

wedding team was able to create their perfect

One of the most memorable moments for

look with fun colors, texture, and florals.

Nicole was after Laura took night photos.

The reception was one for the books as they rang in the New Year. As the clock struck midnight, multi-colored streamers poured

Once they finished capturing some special photos of just the couple, the two walked back into the party and took the evening in.

down over the party. A fun touch to the

“I looked around and saw almost everyone

evening. One of the couple’s favorite parts was

dancing and having a good time. It was the

the shredded fabric background full of bright

best reminder that so many people love and

colors, ostrich feathers, florals, and even some

care about us,” Nicole said.

disco balls that they used as a backdrop for

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Wildflower was able to create a bold, colorful NYE palette and pull off a non-traditional NYE color scheme.

The couple got to ring in a colorful New Year with all thier guests!

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The couplecocktails favorite Signature part of the the wedding incorporating couple's planning was trying all the& dogs, "The Dally" Cosmo wonderful flavors from "The Grizz" Old Fashioned.

Molly’s Cupcakes.

We LOVE it!

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NICO LE + CHA D

WED DI N G MOO D W E DDI NG ST YL E NYE, VIBRANT, GLAM

CO LO R PA L ET TE

VE ND O R LU ST Photography Laura Wills Photography | Ceremony & Reception Venue Des Moines Heritage Center | Rehearsal Dinner St. Kilda | Caterer Tangerine | Dessert Bride's favorite chocolate chip cookies from her Aunt Kay, Tangerine, Dore Bakery | Floral, Décor Design & Event Planning Wildflower | Wedding Gown Schaffer’s Bridal, Waters Pisces Gown Tuxedo The Black Tux | Bride's Hair Eleven Cherry Salon, Lindsey Mollenhauer | Bride's Makeup Kelsi Ziemann Artistry | Health Regimen PowerLife Yoga | Stationery By Invitation Only | Jewelry Iowa Diamond Bridal Shoes Betsey Johnson | Ceremony & Reception Music Fig Media, Megan Taylor | Officiant Family friend, Dan Manning | Hotel AC Marriott

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