Katie & Luke’s Elegant Des Moines Tea Room Wedding

They say the best relationships are those that start with friendship and laughter, and that is certainly true for Katie and Luke. When a mutual friend set them up on their first “group” date together, it was a bit suspicious when those friends had to bail because of a missing babysitter. But all was not lost, and Luke and Katie made it to a second date at a comedy club, where much of the laughter came at Luke’s expense – poor guy! Their love story didn’t end though, in fact that was really just the beginning of an adventure that has taken them to many cities, but always circles back to their friends and family, and laughter, and of course their mutual love of board games!

When I asked Katie what’s the one thing she loves most about Luke, she said “His humor – he just gets me and is always able to make me smile, even on the worst days.” What makes this so perfect is Luke’s answer to the same question regarding Katie: “The one thing I love most about Katie is her laugh and smile. Every opportunity I get to make her laugh wether its a legit joke or my terrible dad jokes, I try to get that beautiful smile to come out! Nothing in the world is more beautiful than her smile and laughter.” I mean, what could be more perfect, right? Here’s to many years of laughter for both of you! I hope you can still make each other smile and laugh, and that you have fun while playing cribbage when you can’t hear each other across the table 50 years from now! 🙂

Venue: Des Moines Tea Room
Dress: Pronovias
Florals: Plaza Floral & Gifts
Cake: Let Them Eat Cake
Catering: Lidderdale
DJ: A Special Event DJ
Video: Laura Beekmann
Makeup: All Dolled Up Makeup Designs
Hair: Salon Spa W
Invitations: designed by the Bride!

Their beautiful day started at Northpoint Church with beautiful wedding invitations designed by the bride herself, and this perfect Pronovias wedding gown.

These wedding shoes were perfection – beautiful, the perfect shade of pink, and they were comfortable too! I have been having a lot more brides pick a stacked or chunkier heel like this, and it is so much more practical for a day where you are on your feet for a long time!

Katie shared a sweet first look with her dad.

And then this moment with Luke had us all choked up!

Katie and Luke got married on the first beautiful sunny day after a LONG series of rainy, cloudy, gross days. It had been flooding all over Iowa, and so I was convinced there was no way we would have a spot for photos anywhere that weekend because it would be soaking wet or raining. Thankfully, it was GORGEOUS that day!

Plaza Floral & Gifts provided these stunning bouquets – loved the mixture of succulents and blush and Burgundy!

I don’t often share formal portraits from weddings, but this sweet photo of Katie and her grandma just made me catch my breath – I hope this is a picture she treasures for many years.

Married!!!

After making their way downtown to Des Moines, we stopped for a few more photos by the capitol.

One thing I loved about this bridal party and all of their friends – they were COMMITTED to each photo we did! Just check out Luke’s face – he was ALL IN!

When the Hawkeyes win the game! They were married on the same day as the Hawkeye vs Cyclone game – and if you’re not from Iowa or don’t care about college football, that is meaningless…but if you are a fan like they are, it is a BIG DEAL!

They got to ride the Hawkeye Bus!!!

Their reception was held at the renovated Des Moines Tea Room, which is one of my new favorite venues! So classy and perfect!

I just wanted to photograph them on this balcony at the Tea Room all night!

When your team wins the game on your wedding day, you sing the fight song, of course!

When Holly set up their first date, I’m not sure she had in mind giving them a toast a year and a half later, but it was a sweet word of affirmation and encouragement to the newlyweds.