[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]Pastel shades of pinks and blues with lush orchids and roses with citrus notes accompanied by lots of fresh florals and greenery.[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]
Welcome to an enchanted wedding nestled in the gardens of Salisbury Mansion, located in the heart of Des Moines, Iowa. This historic home & gardens lent the perfect backdrop to Amelia & Sterling’s elegant and chic garden party inspired wedding. Following their ceremony in the gardens, guests dined under string lights & greenery in a tent across the lawn. After toasts, guests moved to the brick courtyard for dancing under the stars. The band kept the party going all night long!
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[field title=”Proposal Story”]Sterling and I met in Washington, DC where I work. He was visiting his sister who was also my friend! We had an intimate get together in our home with friends when he entered the room. We immediately locked eyes. He was the only man there so I quickly asked if he would like a bowl of my homemade soup to make him feel welcome. The rest is history! He invited me up to his home of Kodiak Island, Alaska where I spent time on his vessel that he captains on the ocean. We fell deeper in love. The next year, he proposed in front of a glacier in the remote waters of Alaska on jet skis.
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[board_carousel title=”Getting Ready”]
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[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]
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[board_carousel title=”Flat Lays”]
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[section title=”The Fashion”]
[field title=”Wedding Gown”]The bride’s dress was a classic showstopper, complete with a high neck and lace detail on the sleeves and bodice.[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]Amelia’s bridesmaids each wore a color that suited them best, in various shades of pastels. [/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”][/field]
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[board_carousel title=”Wedding Party”]
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[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]
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[board_carousel title=”Cocktail Hour”]
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[section title=”The Details”]
[field title=”Food & Drink”]Once the overall design details were completed, we couldn’t forget about the food and drinks! None of our guests left hungry. Our mocktail
hour menu included hand crafted mocktails, and a long charcuterie grazing table. The selection of passed hors-d’oeuvres included jumbo gulf coast shrimp, fresh bruschetta on crostini and more!
The outdoor tent reception was under the Iowa moon light with a plated meal with the options of chicken amaggio with a lemon cream sauce, beef tenderloin with a cabernet reduction, and of course per Alaskan tradition, Baked Salmon . In addition, the first course included Arancia Insalata with pine nuts and the sides were, Green Beans Almandine and a Potato Croquette.[/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]The first question in the planning process was, where were we to have the wedding? We thought about a mountain in Alaska and my family’s generational farm in Iowa but we ultimately chose the most enchanting European style house and gardens in the heart of Iowa’s Capitol, Salisbury House and Gardens. The mansion was built in the 1920s and was inspired by The King’s House in Salisbury, England, blending Tudor, Carolean, and Gothic architectural details. I knew it would be a unique destination for guests from Washington DC, Alaska and Iowa to fawn over.
We wanted our guests to feel loved and seen in our intimate garden party, all meticulously designed by Honey and Joy Events. It was a large gathering yet everyone felt that it was a thoughtful wedding day. We wanted the day to be high energy yet laid back. The string quartet for the ceremony and the live band for the reception were perfect!
My next thought was colors, keeping the European garden theme in mind led me to choose pastels and colorful flowers. These included lush roses, and pink orchids. In addition, each table had bright citrus elements.
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[field title=”Wedding Cake”]The whimsical 3 tiered cake was created by a local pastry chef Alix Brower of Dore Bakery, a bespoke bakery with meticulous creations. The desserts had a French influence with macarons, mini fruit tarts and for an Iowa classic, a local ice cream truck.
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[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]I wanted to be sure to include our grandparents who had passed away. We had folded flags for our grandfathers who were veterans and white roses for our grandmothers on chairs in the front row.
My nephew was the ring bearer and he carried my grandfather’s personal Bible he kept close to him as a soldier and prisoner of war during the Korean War.
Family is very important to me. I was so pleased to have my entire family including my 7 nieces and nephews involved in the wedding as junior groomsmen and bridesmaids.
Since Christ is the center of our marriage, I chose to walk down the long cobblestone isle surrounded by the lush gardens to “Be Thou My Vision” with a string quartet. My husband and I partook in communion using my late grandmother’s glass chalice and antique plate. The gospel message was made clear by our pastor in the ceremony along with scripture reading. [/field]
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[field title=”Special Detail #3″][/field]
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[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]
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[board_carousel title=”Reception”]
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Photography: Nicole Laing Photography | Videography: Drew Barett Studios | Event Design: Honey and Joy Events | Event Planning: Honey and Joy Events | Floral Design: Wildflower | Wedding Dress: Elegance by Roya | Cake: Dore Bakery | Invitations: Honey and Joy Events | Catering: Barattas | Band: Diamond Empire Band | Transportation: Foster Limo | Beauty: Powder Studio