Vows That Wow – Katie & James Dooley

Week after week, we’re fortunate to feature breathtaking weddings from all over Iowa, made possible by the exceptional talent of local wedding vendors and the wonderful couples who share their special moments with us. Each month, our editorial team highlights one wedding that shines for its beauty, uniqueness, and meaningful story. For our February Vows that Wow, we are excited to feature Katie & James Dooley!

With heartfelt moments sprinkled all throughout their day, Katie & James’ day was nothing short of special. Read on to learn more about all the details of their elegant and timeless June wedding. 

How the Couple Met

Katie & James’ story dates back all the way to the summer of 2013. Katie was a soon to be freshman at the University of Iowa and James a soon to be sophomore at University of Northern Iowa. They were both at a mutual friend’s party at Augustana and the rest is history!

The Wedding Day

The first pop of champagne of the day started in the morning with the bridal party, as they all got ready for the day. From popping champagne to a sweet visit from their dog Rosie, the relaxing morning was the perfect way to start their big day. 

The couple chose a heartfelt first look before heading to the ceremony. The moment could not have been more magical as Katie walked down the marble staircase in her beautiful gown and pearl-adorned gloves to meet James in his sleek black tux. A beautiful ceremony followed this elegant moment in the same church where Katie’s parents got married. As Katie shared, getting married in the same place where her parents got married was one of the many special moments of the day. 

Katie & James were in awe as they entered their grand white and gold-themed reception. This space radiated luxury and elegance with sparkling chandeliers, beaming florals, and polished accents. Unique Events brought the couple’s vision to life by providing stunning decor and an impressive personalized dance floor that gave Katie and James a beautiful setting that complimented them perfectly. After a few touching speeches from the bride and groom’s family and close friends, the party began! The live band brought the energy and kept everyone out on the dance floor. This was the perfect way to end a wonderful evening. As Katie shared, “The entire dance floor was full of our favorite people. We felt so lucky to have (almost) everyone there, living this moment with us. That’s all we wanted, the biggest party of our lives, and that’s what we got!”

SPECIAL  DETAILS

We asked Katie and James what made their wedding day so special, and Katie shared that one of her favorite details was having their dog Rosie there, who wore a bow made out of extra fabric from Katie’s gown. Not only did Rosie get ready with the girls and come to the cocktail hour, but her image was all throughout the wedding. From her friendly image on the invitation created by the talented designers at The Noted Design to a small replica of her in her dog house on the welcome table, Rosie’s presence made the day extra meaningful for the bride and groom. 

One of our favorite “Rosie moments” was her feature on the cake. Little Sweets Cake Design created a delicious and stunning three-tiered cake, which was a beautiful focal point for the ceremony. At the bottom tier, a little figurine of Rosie peeked out, making the cake extra special and unique for Katie and James. This little detail brought all the smiles and sweetness to the cake-cutting moment, all thanks to Rosie. 

Every heartfelt detail of Katie & James’ wedding made their day truly unforgettable. These special memories will be cherished forever!