Samantha + Nick’s Wedding Day Pros

PREMIER HEARTLAND WEDDING IDEAS VENDORS
Suits Skeffington’s Formal Wear | Photo Booth snapXP

ALL VENDORS: Photography Kelsey Ann Photography | Videographer Twelve One Projects | Ceremony Venue Clare and Miles Mills Rose Garden (Greenwood Park) | Reception Venue The Tea Room | Caterer Catering DSM by St. Kilda | Dessert Molly’s Cupcakes | Floral CamBam Custom Floral | Event Planning Honey & Joy Events | Bride's Hair Kasey, DSM Salon and Spa | Bride's Makeup Vanity & Glamour Cosmetics | Tanning Tanique | Nails Art of Nails | Wedding Gown Schaffer’s Bridal, Tara Keely Bridesmaid Dress Revelry | Veil Schaffer’s Bridal | Earrings Pure Bridal | Hairpiece Dareth Colburn | Suits Skeffington’s Formal Wear | Photo Booth snapXP | Ceremony Music Quartet 515 | Wedding Shower Reiman Gardens | Rehearsal Dinner Jasper Winery | Rentals Stuart Alexander Productions, Pella Rental, Honey & Joy Events | Transportation Majestic Limousine | Wedding Bands Joseph’s Jewelers 

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

The first date on Valentine’s Day.

If Samantha could describe her wedding in three words, it would be timeless, classic, and romantic. Her and Nick’s wedding was a dream for the couple. As winners of the KCCI V.I.P. Bride for the Des Moines Wedding Show in 2019, they had fantastic support from local wedding pros to create their perfect day. 

Samantha and Nick met at Drake University, both as music majors who played saxophone. Their journey together started with playing trivia games as friends. After a couple nights and games, Nick boldly asked Samantha to go out for a first date on Valentine’s Day and the two instantly hit it off. Little did they know, four years later Nick would get down on one knee on Valentine’s Day. 

Inspiration. from the rose garden

The ceremony was as romantic as the proposal. Being at the Rose Garden at Greenwood Park behind the Des Moines Art Center, they wanted to incorporate roses in all their florals. Samantha said Emily from CamBam saved her when it came to florals. “Emily was always willing to deal with a panicky email and created a gorgeous floral setup that perfectly captured our vision,” Samantha told us. From the end of the aisle to the bridal bouquet, the flowers were beyond stunning. 

Enjoy the process with your partner.

One of the couple’s favorite parts of the planning process was cake tasting. The two loved trying all the wonderful flavors from Molly’s Cupcakes. With the pandemic looming over their wedding planning, they enjoyed soaking in moments together throughout the planning process — especially the ones involving sweets! 

“We kept our eyes on the prize. It was always about getting married to each other and celebrating a gorgeous wedding surrounded by all of our favorite people,” Samantha said. 

Wedding professionals that help above and beyond.

Samantha wore a show-stopping gown with an off-the-shoulder neckline and truly incredible train. She looked beautiful! And Nick and his groomsmen wore tuxedos from Skeffington’s Formal Wear, which truly has a knack for making any wedding party look dapper! Samantha said Skeffington’s was so easy to work with and accommodating. She worked closely with them before picking out bridesmaid dresses to get everything just right. 

“They were more than happy to let me come in multiple times with dress swatches, move around lights, take photos. Everyone looked great for the wedding!” Samantha said. 

The right photographer and videographer can capture ever perfect moment.

Kelsey Ann Photography and Twelve One Projects were there to capture all the memorable moments. Not only did they create fantastic photos and videos, both were there for the couple the entire day and couldn’t have been better to work with. “We can’t give enough praise to our photographer and videographer, Kelsey and Donovan,” Samantha said. And guests got to have fun creating photo memories of their own with the snapXP digital photo booth. 

From early morning preparations to their send-off, their wedding day was a dream. Samantha said the ceremony was magical, especially when a yellow swallowtail butterfly gracefully floated in front of the couple. Literally, a dream! They loved spending time together and were beyond grateful for all the love and support.