Hannah + Lauren’s Wedding Day Pros

PREMIER WEDDING VENDORS 
Lauren’s Bridal Shower Wine Styles Ankeny

ALL WEDDING VENDORS
Ceremony & Reception Venue The Tea Room | Photographer Colby Campbell Photography | Videographer The Vine Productions | Caterer Judge’s Signature Catering | Late Night Snack Big Tomato Pizza | Cake & Dessert Home Sweet Cone, Faithful Baking | Floral Something Borrowed Blooms | Ceremony & Reception Music Marquee Events | Wedding Dresses Schaffer’s Bridal | Bridesmaids Dresses AZAZIE, Amazon | Hair & Makeup Hello Darlin’ Glam | Nails Stella Nails & Lashes, Premier Bar Ankeny | Stationery Etsy | Guest Book FêteFone | Hannah’s Bridal Shower Hotel Renovo | Rehearsal Dinner Centro | Engagement Rings & Wedding Bands REEDS Jewelers | Extra Rentals Something Chic Floral | Event Planner Hannah (the bride)

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

Talk about a joyful wedding day! Hannah and Lauren absolutely beamed on their special day, a dream come true with thoughtful personal touches, pops of Pride, and the endless love of their family and friends.

The duo’s love story began online with a serendipitous match. At the time, Hannah lived in Duluth, Minnesota, and Lauren lived in Ankeny – but luckily, they were able to date “long distance” without having to be apart due to remote working setups during COVID. A year after meeting, Hannah made the move to Ankeny and the couple began dreaming of the rest of their lives together.

Lauren and Hannah both decided to arrange surprise proposals – and they both pulled it off in such special ways! Lauren popped the question while they were visiting Lake Superior in Duluth, where they first fell in love. It was an icy cold -20-degree day, but the freshly fallen snow was beautiful and a warm celebration with friends afterward made it worth the chill.

A few months later, Hannah proposed to Lauren at Juniper & Olive Co. in Jewell. The couple loves exploring new restaurants and shops, so she leaned into that sentiment and worked with café’s owner to pull off a gorgeous surprise – it was a very easy “yes” to spending the rest of their lives together.

When envisioning their wedding day, Hannah and Lauren wanted a timeless, beautiful wedding with sentimental touches that embraced family and friends. And of course, a few surprise rainbow elements to celebrate Pride throughout!

The wedding ceremony and reception was held at the gorgeous Tea Room in downtown Des Moines. The space, plus the blush and gold color palette, really created an elegant vibe.

The couple put a lot of thought into making their ceremony personal and meaningful, which was officiated by a mutual friend.

Throughout the ceremony, they had a “ring warming” where their brothers-in-law carried their rings, then handed them off to the bridesmaids. Each bridesmaid held the wedding bands offering well wishes, thoughts, and prayers, then passed them down the line in time for Hannah and Lauren to exchange their rings. They also did a plant unity during the ceremony where their parents added soil from their homes, and Hannah and Lauren added soil from their own home. So creative and meaningful!

As they exited the ceremony, their bridesmaids waved colorful streamers in rainbow order – it was a moment they will never forget! Another high point was the “hype” of the room for their announcement into the reception as Mrs. & Mrs. Stratton – joy, joy, joy.

Their first dance as a married couple was another highlight of the day. They had a special remix of “Simply the Best” that ended with “Shut Up and Dance” when all their family and friends joined the dance floor with rainbow foam and streamers!

Throughout the wedding planning process, the couple picked their vendors based on their care, attention to detail, and experience working weddings with other same sex couples. For them, it was very important they could trust the expertise of their vendors and that inclusive language was used.

Hannah and Lauren will forever remember the genuine love and support they felt from their family and friends all weekend.

“Marriage for all was legalized less than 10 years ago, so a dream we didn’t know we could have when we were younger, came true," they share.