Vows That Wow — Elizabeth & Michael Podpeskar

Week after week, we’re fortunate to share stunning weddings from across our beautiful state of Iowa, made possible by the incredible local wedding professionals and the couples who trust them to bring their vision to life. Each month, our editorial team highlights one wedding that stands out for its beauty, intentional details, and heartfelt celebration.

For this month’s Vows That Wow, we are thrilled to feature the delightful wedding of Elizabeth & Michael Podpeskar, a celebration full of love, surprises, and personal touches that made their day unforgettable.

The Wedding Day

First, a moment for the dress! Modern Dress Bridal Boutique played a pivotal role in helping Elizabeth select a gown that truly complemented her individual style. Their expert team guided her through a tailored selection process, ensuring the choice of a dress that not only fitted perfectly but also perfectly captured her vision. Along the back, a row of delicate buttons adds a classic detail, complementing the gown’s clean silhouette. The dress perfectly highlighted Elizabeth’s natural grace making her wedding day exceptionally memorable. Elizabeth and her entire bridal party were also all glowing thanks to our friends at Tanique. They had a bridal glow party and it was one of Elizabeth’s favorite things leading up to the day!

Elizabeth and Michael’s wedding day was a beautifully orchestrated affair, where meticulous planning and personal details came together seamlessly. The couple kept their color palette and style a delightful surprise for family and friends, heightening the excitement and joy of the festivities. Every detail of the reception was carefully planned by White Willow Events, showcasing striking pops of green, which Elizabeth was absolutely obsessed with. Collaborating with Carly from Monarch Events, Elizabeth selected décor that perfectly matched her vision, including chartreuse green velvet chairs and beautiful matching drapery for a photo backdrop. The custom acrylic sweetheart table and vintage mirror seating chart from Monarch Events added a touch of elegance to the celebration. The lush green velvet chairs and elegant draping, also from Monarch Events, created a captivating atmosphere throughout the celebration. The exquisite floral arrangements by White Willow Events added an enchanting touch, with breathtaking blooms that adorned the arbor and sweetheart table.

“Both Carly from Monarch Events & Rachel from White Willow Events were our absolute Queens and saviors not only for the wedding day itself, but during the whole process. I could easily rely on Rachel for any questions I had or help that I needed no matter where I was in the wedding planning process. With Carly, from the very beginning she just completely got my vision and rolled with it. Any crazy idea I had she gave me her honest opinions and gave me such amazing inspo. The green draping is to this day, the greatest decor part of my wedding. I still dream about it. Grateful beyond words for both those women.” – Elizabeth

Complementing this beautiful setting, Barattas provided exceptional catering and bartending services, ensuring that every dish was as delightful as it was beautifully presented, making the entire experience truly unforgettable for everyone involved.

Unique Wedding Moments

After exchanging vows, the couple celebrated with memorable and unique surprises. Instead of a traditional father-daughter dance, Elizabeth and her dad entertained guests by singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” to a Harry Caray audio clip, reflecting their shared love for the Chicago Cubs and cherished memories from baseball games over the years.

A particularly touching moment occurred during the ceremony when a secret audio message from Elizabeth to Michael played right before she walked down the aisle, evoking tears from many guests. Elizabeth’s gown from Modern Dress perfectly captured her style, radiating elegance and sophistication.

Lasting Memories

Thoughtful touches throughout the day included beads from Elizabeth’s mom’s veil incorporated into her bouquet, a vintage wedding gown from her grandmother repurposed as her night-before outfit, and hand-embroidered initials on Michael’s dress shirt, ensuring he had her heart literally on his sleeve. The newspaper programs served as a fun and unique element that guests enjoyed, while cocktail napkins featured handwritten love notes that personalized the experience.

Despite the unexpected challenge of 40mph winds that blew Elizabeth’s veil away just as she started walking down the aisle, the day remained perfectly magical. Reflecting on the occasion, Elizabeth shared that marrying her best friend made it the best day of her life!

Congratulations to Elizabeth & Michael! Your wedding was a heartwarming celebration of love, creativity, and joy that will leave a lasting impression in our upcoming 2026 Iowa Book of Weddings Publication.