Grace + Ross’s Wedding Day Pros
ALL WEDDING VENDORS
Photographer Anna Jones | Ceremony Venue Central Presbyterian Church | Reception Venue and Bartending The Tea Room | Caterer Lidderdale Country Store | Floral Hy-Vee, West Des Moines | Bride’s Dress Bridal Boutique, Watters Abigal | Hair Kelly Degnan | Makeup Sydney Reysack | Stationery Bride | Engagement Ring & Wedding Bands Owen Jewelry Designs | Ceremony Music Rich Dewein, Church Choir Director | Reception Music Tyson with Marquee Events | Event Planner and Coordinator Molly Claman | Transportation Foster Limo | Officiant Pastor Wallace Bubar | Hotel Des Moines Marriott Downtown | Rehearsal Dinner West48
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Grace and Ross’s wedding day was the perfect mix of vibrant, fun, and heartfelt moments.
Their love story kicked off in 2015 at Iowa State University. What started as texting quickly turned into an easy connection and 7.5 years of “growing up” together as a couple while they both navigated finishing school, finding themselves, and establishing their careers.
They had long known they wanted to get married, so they decided to work together with Owens Jewelry Designs to create a custom engagement ring — but after the ring decisions, Grace wanted the rest of the proposal to be a surprise — and Ross really pulled off it off. During a family photo session, Ross dropped to one knee with a sweet, heartfelt speech and asked Grace to marry him. It was a picture-perfect moment, made even better by the fact that their families were there to celebrate with them right away.
Planning the wedding was all about creating something that was inviting, colorful, and charming — in a nutshell, something that felt uniquely “Grace.” They envisioned a spring vibe but didn’t want to wait for spring, so they decided to bring the bright, fresh energy of spring into a November wedding. The result? Bold pinks, purples, oranges, and reds, blended with playful bunny lamps, velvet bows, and gemstones, set against the gorgeous traditional and timeless backdrop. Every detail came together in the most darling, personal way.
The ceremony took place at Central Presbyterian Church, and the reception was at The Tea Room, a venue gorgeous, timeless venue that delivered on the Des Moines charm. Grace’s wedding dress from Bridal Boutique in East Village was an absolute dream, and when she added the veil, she couldn’t hold back the tears — it was better than she could have imagined.
In many ways, Grace had a specific (sometimes indescribable) vision for their wedding day, so finding the right photographer was very important. And my oh my, did they find the right person in Anna Jones. She captured the day just as Grace envisioned, keying in on the most gorgeous details and special swoon-worthy moments.
The couple worked hard to keep their marriage at the center of the planning process. While Grace loved all the décor and DIY elements, she says the best part was working with Ross to choose their vows and the quiet moment of reflection together before the ceremony began.
“The ceremony was truly the moment Ross and I most looked forward to. We never lost sight of what the planning was all for — our commitment to each other,” Grace shares.
They also kept family and friends at the heart of the celebration, and many were involved in making the day special. Grace’s family friend Dawn Shaw baked the lovely and delicious wedding cake and desserts, and the couple could even feel the presence of Grace’s Grandpa Bill who passed away a few months before the wedding. She credits the 40–50-degree, blue sky November day to his love from Heaven.
“Our celebration wouldn’t have been the same without the thoughtful touches from those we care about most,” Grace says. “So many of the people there had been by our sides since we met so we truly understood it wasn’t just a day we were excited for — it was one they had all been looking forward to as well.”
Cheers to Grace and Ross! Their wedding day was the most perfect start to their forever!
