If you’re engaged, you might be wondering if it’s time to hire a wedding planner. Well, let this be a sign to you, that it is probably time. I get it though, hiring a wedding planner isn’t necessarily “for everyone”. Hiring a wedding planner isn’t in every wedding budget. Here are 5 signs that it’s time to hire a wedding planner for your wedding. You’re not enjoying wedding planning anymore This may come as a shock to some people, but not everyone enjoys wedding planning, and sometimes the excitement wears off shortly after the engagement begins. If you’re not feeling the joy anymore, and it h ..read more

Rehearsal dinners are the perfect time for you to have a fun, relaxing meal with the people you’re closest with. It’s also a great time to thank them for their support over your engagement, and maybe even offer them gifts of appreciation. However, finding the perfect rehearsal dinner location can be daunting. So, we’ve made a list of a few of our favorite rehearsal dinner locations in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa area. Restaurants in Cedar Rapids Butcher Block Steakhouse The first time I went to Butcher Block Steakhouse, I remember walking in and being utterly shocked by the immense size of the rest ..read more

Do you really know what to expect from your wedding budget? Sticker shock is the leading killer of wedding vibes. The truth is, you probably have no idea how much a wedding costs. That’s okay – it’s what I’m here for! Erin Allsup Photography – Quasqueton, IA5 Ways to Trim Your Wedding Budget 1.) Consider a Friday or Sunday wedding Believe it or not, Friday and Sunday weddings have become increasingly popular! Personally, I’m a fan of a Friday evening wedding with late night food or a Sunday morning wedding with a waffle bar brunch! This is a budget-friendly way to have the venue of your dreams ..read more

So, I heard that you want to find a beautiful Eastern Iowa wedding venue! First of all, congrats! Finding a wedding venue is such a fun and exciting time of your engagement – and I am so excited for you! Are you feeling a little overwhelmed with the options? I totally get it. Let’s talk about some of the most beautiful venues in Eastern Iowa! Before I get started, I do not own these images, and I have not been paid in any way by these venues. These are just a few of my favorite beautiful wedding venues in Eastern Iowa. Any opinions I share are not sponsored in any way. -Whew! Thanks for bearin ..read more

Hiring the wrong wedding vendor team might be cheaper, but at what cost? If you’re anything like me, the thought of hiring wedding vendors is a daunting one. I mean, what if you don’t pick the best wedding vendor for your wedding? Do me a favor, imagine this. . . It’s your wedding day, the day you’ve been waiting for and dreaming about since you were a child. There’s excitement in the air as you and the bridesmaids get your Starbucks and jam to Marry You by Bruno Mars on the way to the salon. The hair stylist is 30 minutes late, then run another 30 minutes behind schedule. The planner is visi ..read more

So, you’re planning a wedding, and we are many months into this pandemic now, and frankly, I’m tired of it. While I’d love to say, let’s just move on with our lives, that seems to be becoming increasingly challenging. Personally, I’m just thankful that I can send my kids back to school in the Fall! I’ve loved having them home with me since March, but I think we are all ready for school to start. They miss their friends so much! More and more weddings are being postponed or even cancelled. Just when I thought we were at the end of the cancellations and the postponements, its like another wave j ..read more

Finding a date night spot is hard enough in Cedar Rapids without a global pandemic. I’m taking the blog in a little different direction today. I tend to stay more on the topic of weddings, but today I want to get on the subject of dating your significant other. The importance of continuing to date each other throughout your engagement and marriage cannot be understated! In fact, weekly date nights is something my husband and I implemented shortly after having our first child, almost five years ago! Normally, we love to do things out and about, and actually eat inside of restaurants, but that h ..read more

Planning a wedding during a pandemic probably fAs impossible as that seems right now, for myself and my family, we choose to trust in the Lord, because none of this was a surprise to Him. For those of you who are believers in Christ, I suggest you hold onto your faith as tightly as you can. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He’s done. Then you will experience God’s peace which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:6-7 Friends, this is a ..read more

Congratulations!! If you’re reading this, you probably recently got engaged, and you’re about to go to your very frist wedding expo (wedding expo, open house, bridal expo — they’re all basically the same thing). We are so excited for you! Your engagement is such a special, beautiful time — enjoy it! So, you’re going to a wedding expo… Not sure what to expect? Not sure what to bring? Not sure who will be there? Just not sure? Don’t worry, we’ve been there too! Annie B. Photography By Chelsey Let’s start by talking about why I love expos… See lots of vendors all in one place This is pr ..read more

Melissa + Phil June 7, 2019 Photo Credit: TKM Productions Philissa. Yep, this is not just the perfect celebrity name for the a perfect couple (who look like they could be celebrities), it’s also the name that their officiant (Phil’s dad) accidentally called them during their wedding ceremony. Commence hysterical laughter from all of the guests. Melissa and Phil’s wedding day started out great! It was a gorgeous Spring day. Sunny and warm-just what we needed after a long, cold winter. The ceremony at the Cedar Rapids Public Library was picturesque! The floor to ceiling windows overlookin ..read more