Heather + Ryan
Heather and Ryan’s Vendors
FEATURED HWI VENDORS:
Photography // Kara Vorwald Photography | Menswear // Halberstadts.com
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Dresses // Bridal Connection | Caterer // Main Street Café | Dessert // Sugar Cube | Floral // Des Moines Farmers Market | Hair // Rustic Salon | Nails // Nail Lounge | Reception // Giovannetti Shelter, Walker Johnston Park | Stationery // Shutterfly | Ceremony Music // Rachel Cohen | Rentals // Beyond Elegance | Bachelorette Party // Jasper Winery | Officiant // Dr. Reverend Ken Jones | Gift Registries // Bed Bath and Beyond, Target | Ceremony Venue // Family property
As Ryan drove Heather to dinner with his parents, he decided this was it – this was the day he was going to propose. After the couple parked, Ryan went to the trunk and took out a journal he had started mere into their relationship. It was full of love notes and reasons why he fell in love with her. The final reason he wrote was, “Because you said ‘yes’.” As he read those words, he got down on one knee, gently revealed a beautiful ring and asked her to marry him. Memories instantly flooded back to the couple. It was the perfect moment, which ended with Heather saying “YES!”
Ryan and Heather knew they wanted their day to be true to their relationship with family and friends surrounding them. A small wedding with an earthy, slightly bohemian style felt right. To make it more personal the couple created a lot of things themselves. The most meaningful touch, however, was Heather’s ring. The diamond came from her grandmother’s ring, and before that, it was her great-grandfather’s masonic ring. Heather’s diamond is an heirloom that will continue to be passed down for generations.
Even before the couple was engaged, they knew they wanted Kara Vorwald to photograph their wedding. Heather had the chance to meet Kara while helping plan her sister’s wedding. Even though she wasn’t planning for herself, she knew instantly Kara would be a perfect fit. The couple was so happy Kara was available to shoot their wedding. The photos captured just what they were hoping for, a relaxed day, with laughter, friends, and family.
Heather loved planning the music. She pictured each part of the ceremony and what music would accompany it best. Ryan loved building things for the day, like the benches for the ceremony. Knowing they would keep those benches as a memory of their special day made his hard work even more meaningful. The wedding was filled with their creations making it that much more special and unique.
Ryan and Heather’s unity sand ceremony will not soon be forgotten. As the couple filled the jar, the sand-filled too fast and spilled out onto the table. You could say it was perfectly imperfect, and it was Heather’s favorite moment. Everyone had a good laugh and it was a reminder that marriage is sometimes that — perfectly imperfect. There are bound to be some flaws, but in the end, love will prevail. Heather told us, “Remember that your wedding is a representation of your lives together and it is meant for the two of you, and no one else.”