Sawyer + Cody’s Wedding Day Pros

PREMIER WEDDING VENDORS
Reception Venue Iowa State Fairgrounds, Elwell Family Food Center
Stationery TandemHart Paperie
Groomsmen Tuxedos Skeffington's Formal Wear
Extra Rentals The Chateau at White Oak

ALL WEDDING VENDORS
Photographer Betty Ann Photography | Ceremony Venue Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Slater | Caterer Great Caterers of Iowa | Cake Elwell Family Wedding Cake | Bartending Campbell’s Concessions | Floral Mary Elwell Steele, bride’s aunt | Wedding Dress & Veil Rosalie | Hair Kelsey Crowdes, bride’s cousin | Makeup Blush Parlour & Co | Tanning Tanique | Nails Grace Nails | Engagement Rings + Groom's Ring Owens Jewelry Design | Reception Music KNM Productions, Nicholas Miller | Officiant Pastor Nat with Bethlehem Lutheran Church | Rehearsal Dinner Trostel's Greenbriar

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

Black, white, and love all over! Sawyer and Cody’s gorgeous, classic wedding day was made even more joyous thanks to special touches from loved ones. 

When envisioning their big day, the duo wanted everything to be crisp, clean, and classic. They pulled off this vibe by asking guests to wear black, selecting all white floral, and creating simple, yet meaningful, décor choices such as a stunning head table backdrop of black and white engagement photos. 

“I had a good idea of how I wanted things to look and feel, and with my mom by my side, we could create anything to get to that vision,” she shares. “My dad was also at the ready with white paint for anything we needed!” 

The couple and their bridal parties got ready for the day at Sawyer’s childhood home. The personal setting was incredibly meaningful for Sawyer, and the wall of mirrors with etched love notes and wedding elements added such a gorgeous “get ready” element. 

Her chiffon dress with flowy sleeves was romantic and dreamy, perfectly paired with a pearl beaded veil and the earrings her mother wore for her wedding day. And Cody and his groomsmen looked sharp in their classic black tuxedos from Skeffington’s Formal Wear.

The couple was married in a traditional ceremony at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Slater. Sawyer says walking down the aisle with her first love (her dad) and having him give her away to her forever love was one of the most special moments of the day. Wow, we’re tearing up. 

The Iowa State Fairgrounds Elwell Family Food Center made the perfect reception venue for the couple — in part because it was a blank slate with all the amenities to accommodate their large guest list, but more importantly because it had special family ties. The bride’s grandfather donated money to have the building built in honor of his parents.

Sawyer was eager to involve other family members in planning and being a part of their big day — from florals to hair styling to creating décor — and even making the wedding cake with a special Elwell family recipe. She worked with her cousin at The Chateau at White Oak to handle additional rentals such as linens, silver Chiavari chairs, and silverware. 

The reception was made extra special by heartfelt speeches that summed up their love and the people who have contributed to their story over the years. 

Sawyer’s advice for wedding planning is simple — be present. 

“Time moves way too fast. Enjoy every moment of bridal showers, planning, venue touring, tastings, and so on. Because those moments in your life are some of the best and the last thing you want to do is rush something or push it to the side,” she shares.