Rachel + Benjamin’s Wedding Day Pros

PREMIER HEARTLAND WEDDING IDEAS VENDORS:
Photographer: Grace T. Photography
Husband's Wedding Gift, shoot with Modern Boudoir

Ceremony & Reception Venue Parent-in-law’s backyard in Iowa City, IA | Caterer & Cake Catered by Charlotte | Floral Sueppel’s Flowers | Hair & Makeup Lindsay Parker at Salon Ludic | Tanning Salon Bronze515 | Fitness Power Life Yoga Barre Fitness | Wedding Dress Ava Laurenne Bride (Fredericksburg, Virginia) | Menswear Jos. A. Banks | Stationery Simply Modern Design | Engagement Ring Elite Jewelers (Fredericksburg, Virginia) | Wedding Ring Josephs Jewelers | Rental Aero Rental | Officiant My husband’s cousin, Lindsay Wagoner | Entertainment DIY playlist on Spotify | Hotel Coralville Marriott Hotel

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

Q: Did you have to make changes to your original plans? If so, what did you do differently?

A: Yes, we originally were supposed to have a small elopement at the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland and honeymoon in Greece. We decided to completely cancel our destination wedding in the 2nd week of March. We initially had a plan B to do a destination elopement within the U.S., but then as COVID progressed we realized it would not be feasible or safe to do so. We jokingly had said we would get married in my parent-in-law’s backyard if all else failed and that is what we ended up doing and LOVING!

Q: Why did you decide not to delay your wedding?

A: We did not see it being realistic that international travel would re-open soon or potentially at all in 2020. We were engaged longer than the period we were dating before getting engaged, so we were just really ready to move forward. We had set our wedding date on our 3rd anniversary of meeting each other and were adamant about keeping that date.

Q: What was the best thing about your intimate wedding?

A: That my grandparents were able to come! I adore my grandparents and that was the most difficult decision of deciding on a destination wedding, as they are not in good enough health for travel. It was so special to have them be there to listen to us exchange our vows and get beautiful pictures together that I will have forever.

I also will say that I enjoyed the aspect of having a lot of 1-on-1 time with family with an intimate wedding. Immediately after the ceremony, we had time to give hugs to every family member and talk with them individually. It was such an emotional time and I am so glad that part of the wedding day wasn’t rushed at all.