“We could not have possibly had a better photographer than you.”

– Logan, Groom

Everything about Logan and Laura’s garden wedding screamed “straight out of a European period piece,” and I was fortunate enough to document it artful moment for artful moment. 

Cue all of the romance and whimsy and charm you can possibly imagine. Let’s explore the details that made this Midwest garden wedding such a fairytale from start to finish. 

Unconventional Detail and Groom Getting Ready Photos

If we’re talking about the “typical” wedding day itinerary, you’ll most often see a wedding photographer begin her day wherever the bride is getting ready that morning. In this case, though, because of the layout of the locations and the unquestionable glamor of the spot where the groom was getting ready for the day, the couple and I determined that we would do things a little differently. 

So… because every wedding day is different and unconventional documentary-style is, in fact, my love language, I kicked things off behind the camera, capturing detail shots in the moody, fine art setting of the Des Lux Hotel in Des Moines, Iowa. While we often see bright, direct morning light, outdoor spaces utilized for a couple’s detail photos, I opted to take advantage of the unique environment and use flash photography to add an element of high drama to the shots.

Everything (and I mean everything!!) about the first photos of the day set the tone for one of the most romantic weddings I’ve ever had the pleasure of documenting. 

The couple’s rings resting on a set of Yamaha piano keys, with an extravagant chandelier hanging overhead. Laura’s lace-adorned shoes draped in front of a stunning Renaissance painting. Logan putting his watch on his wrist and sitting on a luxe leather couch in his Bespoke Custom Clothing suit.

My morning at the Des Lux Hotel was a work of art, in and of itself. 

Elegant Garden Wedding Bridal Attire

You don’t need me to tell you this (one look at the bridal portraits, and they’ll tell you all you need to know), but Laura was an absolutely stunning bride. It’s no wonder Logan had tears in his eyes at any given moment when he laid eyes on her!

Wearing a beautiful and simple-at-first-glance gown, with a closer look showing intricate inset details, Laura was every bit the blushing bride. Valor and Violet teased her red hair up into an elegant twist set in place with pearl clips. Her simple and tasteful jewelry complemented the entire ensemble, and needless to say, all of it together was an absolute vision.

Private Vow Exchange on the Museum Balcony

Did I mention yet that Logan and Laura chose to have their wedding at the most perfect garden wedding venue they could possibly get their hands on?! Salisbury House & Gardens is a historic venue with a stunning courtyard that begs to hold a garden wedding, and it added so much charm and allure to an already romantic day. 

Logan and Laura met for their emotional first look and private, poetic vow exchange on the balcony of the Salisbury House. When I say everybody was crying, I mean everybody was crying. Logan. Laura. Me. Evita (my collaborator for the day who was capturing 8mm film footage). Even the museum director’s eyes were glistening as she watched from the Gothic-style windows. 

After I captured all of the photos I needed, I left Logan and Laura for a private moment to just be alone together. In the meantime, I took the opportunity to capture all of the nooks and crannies of the historic Salisbury House.

Emphasis on Garden Wedding Florals

No garden wedding is complete without florals… and lots of them! Unhinged Florals set the scene with so many colorful and imaginative arrangements, including columns to frame the ceremony that mimicked the columns of the courtyard itself. 

One of the many advantages of having an intimate, garden wedding at a venue as picturesque as this one is that the work is pretty much done for you. Add a few bespoke florals, string lights twinkling in the evening glow, and delicate tablescapes, and all of the time and energy that normally goes into planning the wedding of your dreams can instead be channeled into being fully present with your people on your actual day.

Small and Intimate Bridal Party and Guest List

One of my other favorite parts about this intimate garden wedding is how the size of the bridal party mirrored the scale of the guest list. The bridal party consisted of no more than a maid of honor (Laura’s sister) and best man (Logan’s brother), and Laura’s brother-in-law officiated the wedding. The photos in the French-American courtyard of Salisbury House & Gardens were the perfect reflection of a marriage supported by so many intentional relationships and incredible people. 

I could go on and on (and on!) about this picture-perfect garden wedding for Logan and Laura, and even Logan himself said he would love to do it all again: “I wanna have another wedding day just so we can have you photograph again!!!“

But in the interest of time as you plan your fairytale garden wedding, I’ll leave you with this: Your wedding can be whatever you want it to be, and Logan’s and Laura’s wedding is such a testament to the magic that unfolds when you craft a day that is unconventional and thoughtful. 

All of my work as a documentary-style photographer on their day revolved exclusively around capturing this match made in heaven interact with each other, be with the people who love them, and experience a day that feels something like a storybook. 

My work is to capture what your love feels like, in whichever setting feels most authentic to you and your human. Your work is to get married, fully present in the day of your dreams.