Real weddings photographed by Stephanie Marie Photography
Photographer – Stephanie Marie Photography
Dress – Hope’s Bridal
Tux – Milroy’s
Flowers – Bella Flora
Venues – Meredith Drive Reformed Church and Hilton Garden Inn
Catering – Hilton Garden Inn
Cake – Madelyn Olson
Music /DJ – Spotlight Entertainment
Hair – Aura Salon
Makeup – Leah Anderson
Rings – LR Jewelers
Bridesmaids dresses – Milroy’s
Groomsmen apparel – Milroy’s
Photographer – Stephanie Marie Photography
Dress – Allure Bridal, Zazou’s Bridal Boutique in Dubuque.
Tux/Suit – Dardis Clothiers in Dyersville, IA
Flowers – The Floral Shoppe at Steve’s Ace Hardware, Dubuque, IA
Venues –Sacred Heart Church, Monticello; The Jitney Wine Bar, Monticello; Grand River Center, Dubuque
Catering – Grand River Center, Dubuque
Cake – Marlene Haberle “The Cake Lady” – Rosene, IA; Groom’s cake made my Brooklynn Ries (Daughter of the Groom)
Other food – Popcorn bar from Freddie’s Popcorn, Dubuque; late night nacho bar by Grand River Center
Music /DJ – Thunder and Lighting DJ, Des Moines, IA
Hair & Makeup – Oasis Salon, Monticello
Event Planning – Grand River Center, Dubuque
Bridesmaids dresses – DaVinci Bridal, Zazou’s Bridal Boutique in Dubuque
Groomsmen apparel – Dardis Clothiers, Dyersville, IA
Other – Inside Décor Rentals: Table/Room decorations & Lighting, Dubuque
Caricature Artist – ‘The Funny Drawing Guy’ Anthony Schmidt, from Kalahari Resort at the Wisconsin Dells
Here’s a sneak peek at my “Garden Mimosa” styled wedding.
This wedding shoot has been a huge labor of love. The wedding industry is full of extremely gifted businesses, and I wanted to showcase some of their work in a creative, new way. Everything – even down to the socks – can be purchased, rented, made, etc., for YOUR wedding. Even the cocktails were real!
This wedding was created to inspire you , so please feel free to ask me ANYTHING! No questions are off limits!
Happy wedding planning!
A HUGE thank you to the talented vendors who contributed to this, and to Ashley and Jordan who came from Chicago to model!
(Click on each business for their info or contact me for more detailed information.)
It’s projects like this that make me so happy I’m a part of Tuesday’s Together. Tuesday’s Together are groups focused on “community over competition” created by The Rising Tide Society. Entrepreneurs meet monthly to discuss various topics within the creative industry. Our group (Tuesdays Together Iowa City/Cedar Rapids) is very special and I’m always excited when it’s time to have a drink (or two…) and spend the evening chatting with my talented friends. In April, we were given a challenge: to come together to create a styled shoot. How exciting!!
Let’s be honest: Little Lights’ trendy space is TO DIE FOR. I’m seriously considering getting married there myself! It’s the perfect size venue for any Iowa City area bride who is looking for a cozy, intimate wedding. Plus, the natural light is a photographers DREAM. Check out how the creative team styled this space – perfection.
The group of creatives who came up with this styled shoot, “Black Tie & Botanicals”, are so talented. It was fun attending the last few meetings and hearing all of the ideas each vendor had to contribute. When I showed up to see all of the plans come to life, I was blown away. It really was simple and sweet. Thank you all SO much for spending the time to create this, and thank you to Rachel and Eric for being so patient and modeling!
Leave a comment below to tell me what you think of this adorable little venue and feel free to share this post and skip to the end to the video!
xoxo,
Steph
Venue: Little Lights Weddings & Events
Planner: Amanda Remington with Little Lights
Plates, glasses, decor, ceremony doors and benches: Little lights
Paper goods: Andi’s Invites
Cookies: Jacky Mills
Dress + jewelry: Brides by Jessa
Tux: JC Penney
florals: Nicole from Waterfront (planter boxes)
Cake: Tip Top Cakes
Calligraphy: Emelyn Letters
Hair/Makeup: Amanda Pacha from Zen Salon
Bride and Groom: Rachel and Eric Manson
If you would like to view the entire collection of photos, click HERE.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrSB9IIgVQ0&feature=youtu.be
Jesse and Katie were married on May 14th in Solon, Iowa, surrounded by their closest family and friends… but there was something different about their wedding – as the day developed we noticed everything was falling into place even when we thought we would surely run behind. The weather, the details, and the sunset were all perfect, without a doubt. We have someone extremely special, whose presence we felt all day, to thank for that.
Were you one of the lucky ones who got to witness this day firsthand? Leave a comment with your FAVORITE part of the day!
xoxo,
Stephanie
Dress: Davids Bridal
Tux: Skeffington’s Formal Wear Coralville
Rings: Helzberg Diamonds
Hair: Salon La Di Da
Makeup: Flip Salon & Spa – Salon Luxe / Flip Salon & Spa
Venues: Sts. Peter and Paul Chapel Church & South Slope Cooperative
Decor & Pallet Backdrop: Celebration Linens
Catering, florals, cake: Coralville Hy-Vee
Please enjoy these wedding highlights and contact me if you need a wedding photographer in the Iowa City area!
You’re engaged… CONGRATULATIONS!
The most important thing to remember when going through your wedding planning process is to take a deep breath. I completely understand what you’re going through… I just got married in October!
Planning a wedding is hard work and there are so many photographers to choose from, so how can you possibly decide on one over another? Here are a few tips to help you in your search:
STYLE: Choose a photographer whose images you love, and whose images make you really truly feel something – especially if they make you smile. Do you want to be photographed having fun and smiling on your wedding day, or do you want to be photographed on your wedding day with straight faces and posed? That may sound like a silly question, but after asking photographers for full engagement and wedding galleries, make sure you identify with their work. Great photography isn’t’ just about taking “pretty pictures”, it’s about capturing connections as well.
CHOOSE ASAP: The best wedding photographers book dates up to two years in advance, so the sooner you start planning, the better your odds are for securing your dream photographer. Keep this in mind if you’ve decided on a wedding date that falls within a year of your engagement.
PERSONALITY and PROFESSIONALISM: It’s absolutely important you get along and have FUN with your photographer, and it’s equally important you understand that professional photographers conduct themselves professionally. Your photographer will probably spend more time by your side on your wedding day than your own mom – even your new spouse. No matter how much you love a photographer’s work, make sure you mesh well together before you invite them to one of the most important days of your life.
COLLECTIONS: Prices and products are important when it comes to your wedding day. Not everyone can afford certain expenses and that is absolutely OKAY. Professional photographers offer a variety of beautiful products and can customize collections, so discuss with your fiancé what sort of heirloom products you may want to order after your photos are delivered. It’s up to you to decide what heirloom albums you would like to give to your future grandchildren and which beautiful photos you would like hanging in your home. If you believe you’re receiving beautiful photographs and your wedding photographer rocks your socks off, then you are doing well, my friend!
A few other tips for you to keep in mind:
– Be very wary of anyone that offers “sales” or discounts easily. When you walk into Neiman Marcus or Nordstrom, do they offer you a discount on your purchase before you even shop? No, because they are considered high-end. The same goes for wedding photographers; if they are great, they have no problems booking their quota of weddings every year without discounting.
– Some venues offer their clients a “preferred vendor list”. Beware of these lists; oftentimes the only reason the businesses are listed is because they paid money to be.
Have any more questions about the process? Contact me and I’d be happy to help!
Two words come to mind when looking back at some of the highlights from Adam and Denise’s wedding ceremony: VIBRANT and FUN! The red florals against the gorgeous garden backdrop gave the perfect pop of color and the bride was absolutely stunning. And just looking at everyone’s faces, you can clearly see that they are all having the BEST time! The celebration kicked off with their ceremony at the Cantigny Gardens in Wheaton, IL. It truly looked like a fairytale wedding!
Venue: Wedding ceremony – Cantigny Gardens, Reception – The Stonegate Banquet Centre
Event Planner: Janet at Stonegate Banquets
Dress Boutique: The Crystal Bride | Geneva, IL
Jewelry: Bride: Etsy – Treasures by Agnes 570, Bridesmaids: Broaches – CrystalItzy, Earrings – Sweet Melodie’s Shop
Menswear: Men’s Warehouse
Florals: Fabbrini’s Flowers
Catering: Stonegate Banquets
Cake: Sweet Madeline’s
Harpist: Renee Wilson | Chicago, IL
Hair: Ashley + Michelle at Zazu’s Salon | Hinsdale, IL
Makeup: Simona Render, Jesika Gouge
DJ: Timmy – DJ Outtacontrol
Videographer: Randy
Transportation/Bus: Signature Transportation Group
Accomodations: Hampton Inn & Suites
