Heather + Renato’s Wedding Day Pros

Photographer Matt Lien Photography | Videographer Kenna Bangerter, K Films Video | Venue Ashton Hill Farm, Cedar Rapids | Catering Chef Daniel Hayes, Hy-Vee. We also had traditional Brazilian appetizers during our cocktail hour which were made by two local Brazilian women named Simone de Souza and Joceli Freitas | Makeup Hannah Burns and Lashes/Brows by Corina Mullen | Hair Kelsey Ford, Moods Salon | Wedding Dress Bride, Kansas City | Alterations Dornink Couture | Menswear The Black Tux | Floral D.I.Y. | Nails Eden Nails | Cake Take the Cake Desserts | Calligraphy Bride's Sister | Day of Coordination Jillian Stallman, A Memorable Event | Rentals Spielman’s Event Services (now closed after 30 years)

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From Des Moines to Brazil to Des Moines again!

Renato’s journey from Brazil to Des Moines, Iowa, for school, was an adjustment. He left his home and family to travel thousands of miles to attend college and play soccer. But he wouldn’t meet Heather in HER hometown of Des Moines. That would be too easy for fate! Instead, it was not until Heather traveled to Brazil to teach English that they met at a party thrown by mutual friends. They quickly bonded over living in Iowa and their love of travel. Who knew that thousands of miles would bring two people together for a lifetime of love?!

Traveling was something that had always been a part of both Heather and Renato’s lives. Renato knew he wanted to make the proposal encompassing their biggest inspirations and mutual love for adventure. On a trip to Kauai, Hawaii, they made their way to the summit of Napali. Renato got down on one knee at sunset and asked Heather to be his one and only forever. “I knew it was coming but instantly started crying, I don’t even remember what he said, but it was one of the happiest moments of my life,” said Heather. Now with a ring on her finger and her fiancé by her side, the wedding planning could begin.

Style is everything.

From the start, Heather knew she wanted to keep her décor and theme to a minimalistic style, with a lot of D.I.Y. Everything at their wedding was personal. Throughout the ceremony and reception, the signs were hand-painted by Heather’s sister and their ceremony arch the couple built themselves! “I think it turned out gorgeous. I don’t think people should be afraid of a D.I.Y. approach,” Heather told us.

Bringing in things that are personal is key.

She wanted to make everything personal yet straightforward, focus on their love and new traditions of their own. “It was important we incorporate touches of Renato’s Brazilian culture. We wrote our own vows and said them in English and Portuguese. We served traditional Brazilian appetizers with a signature drink called Caipirinha, with fresh fruit and Brazilian Rum.

And of course, there was plenty of Latino and Brazilian music everyone could dance to all night long.” The couple even decided to choreograph a ballroom dance that gave them a chance to have a special moment in front of friends and family. Everything about the night made their hearts full – a love that traveled thousands of miles and will go thousands more.