Maggie and Jake's wedding day vendors:

Maggie and Jake became friends while in college. It wasn’t until after college and staying in contact with their mutual friend Tyler, that the couple began dating long distance, Des Moines to Memphis. It only took a year and Jake moved back to Des Moines to be with Maggie. It came without question, that Tyler would be the best man at their wedding.

And it was also friends that helped keep Jake’s proposal a secret as they all drove up for 7 hours to Ely, Minnesota. Jake got down on one knee as the sun set across the lake and then the couple spent the long weekend celebrating with all of them up north.

Some of the early planning elements helped Maggie style their wedding day. The Des Moines Botanical Garden was the perfect first step in that plan, with all its lush tropical and succulent plants. Finding her dress by Rue de Seine and a macramé backdrop for the ceremony, she knew she wanted a warm, boho feel.

And so many personal, family touches were throughout their day. Maggie wore her great-great-grandmother’s amethyst ring. The bible used during the ceremony was Maggie’s grandfather’s given to him by his parents in 1937. And Maggie’s mom gave them a Double Wedding Ring quilt that was started by Maggie’s great-grandmother in 1930 and finished by her mother. It’s so special to have the things that make the day truly yours.

After the ceremony, instead of leaving for pictures, the couple decided to stay for cocktail hour. It made for even more time to enjoy the company of their guests. That’s so important on a day that can go so fast. Maggie tells us, “Be present and appreciate every moment. Meditation during the planning process helped me from being overwhelmed. And it helped me to truly take in every moment and detail of our big day.”