Jiabei + David’s Wedding Day Pros

WEDDING DAY VENDORS: Photographer Laura Wills Photography | Videographer Ascension Cinema, Ryan Buck | Ceremony & Reception Venue Iowa State University, Memorial Union | Caterer ISU Catering | Cake & Dessert Hy-Vee | Floral Boesen the Florist | Hair Talking Heads Salon | Wedding Dress Anomalie | Stationery Ceremony Flyover Design Co. | Music Kathy Naja | Music KC Flo | Entertainment Allionce Lion Dancers | Event Planning, Decor Design, Rentals White Willow Events | Hotels Radisson Hotel and Iowa House Historic Inn | Transportation CIT Signature Transportation 

WELCOME PARTY VENDORS: Venue Sundae Morning Farms | Music Jay Clyde Band | Catering Hickory Park, appetizers by Farmhouse Catering | Beer 515 Brewing Company | Ice Cream Truck The Outside Scoop | Caricature Artist Stephanie Ong | Planning, Florals and Rentals White Willow Events and Boesen the Florist

See all the vendors we LUST for, that can help you with your big day!

From proposal in NYC to wedding at ISU.

One beautiful clear day in NYC, Jiabei and David decided to enjoy the Whitney museum and visit the rooftop. While looking out at the skyline and their cozy NYC apartment just across the way, David knew this was the moment and asked Jiabei to marry him. Soon after, a woman quickly approached them. “Did you just get engaged,” she asked? She had been taking photos of the New York skyline and captured the entire thing. It was the perfect surprise to complement the perfect proposal. 

The couple’s family and friends would be coming from all parts of the world — China, Lebanon, Australia, Nicaragua — any spot would be a destination wedding, and they wanted it to have special meaning. David went to school at Iowa State University as an undergraduate, and Jiabei’s parents came to the US and studied at ISU for their graduate degrees. Ames, IA was the first place Jiabei called home when she came to the US. It just felt right. So, they started planning their destination wedding to Iowa! 

Introducing their guests to Iowa.

With so many people from out of town, they wanted them to have the Iowa experience. When the couple would visit David’s childhood home in Manson, IA, they would drive past a beautiful red barn at Sundae Morning Farms. It wasn’t a venue, but on a whim, Jiabei reached out to see if they would host the couple’s welcome party. They were happy to do it! So everyone got to enjoy the comforts of an Iowa farm on their first day in the state. 

Creating an experience guests will not forget.

The couple loved entertaining friends and family, so their wedding was no different. They chose a planner they knew could handle it all. Taylor at White Willow Events is that planner. “I told Taylor I wanted something like an enchanted garden meets a disco. She did not disappoint.” Jiabei told us. The wedding was a grand masterpiece, beautiful florals everywhere, and the band played against a backdrop of disco balls. It. Was. Stunning. Guests packed the dance floor all night long. The couple also got to enjoy Allionce, a traditional Chinese Lion Dance Team. It was a fantastic surprise for their guests. 

Professional wedding vendors make all the difference in your perfect day.

Laura Wills Photography and Ryan Buck at Ascension Cinema were instrumental in capturing the vibe of the day. “Laura’s style helps everyone feel at ease in front of the camera. She captures the emotion of a moment so naturally, she's such a talent.” Jiabei told us. “And Ryan went above and beyond with drones and spectacular panoramic shots. We were in awe and adore our wedding film.” 

Jiabei and David couldn’t have asked for a more memorable night. With friends and family helping every step of the way and a party that didn’t want to end, it was everything they had hoped. It set the stage for a lifetime of memories ahead. 

An intimate wedding to launch happily ever after.

The couple truly wanted everyone to remember the love on display that evening, and they succeeded — an entire evening filled with joy. After a small dinner with family and friends laughing, crying, and supporting the couple, the two happily launched into their marriage, cherishing the fantastic memories and details of their wedding.