Week after week, our team is lucky enough to receive and showcase stunning weddings from across Iowa, thanks to the incredible talent of local wedding vendors and the lovely couples who share their stories with us. Each month, our editorial team selects one wedding that truly stands out for its beauty, creativity, and heart. This month, we’re thrilled to introduce you to our January 2025 Vows that Wow couple, Emily and Ryan!
Bride Emily went into the the wedding planning journey wanting what she called a “Secret Garden” wedding. Keep reading to step into this dreamy day as we dive into all the details and take a peek at more photos!
How the Couple Met
It was a match made in heaven on Hinge—and the rest, as they say, is history!
The Wedding Day
Emily and Ryan’s wedding was nothing short of a floral fantasy, beautifully brought to life by the team at Bella Flora Event Design. Emily, a lifelong lover of flowers and gardens, knew she wanted blooms to be the centerpiece of their celebration. With that vision in mind, every detail of the day was designed around their lush floral theme.
The reception was a garden-inspired dream. Greenery cascaded from above, elegant light fixtures illuminated the space, and candles softly lined the tables, creating a warm, intimate atmosphere. Floral installations added layers of beauty to every corner. Emily shared, “I wanted it to feel like you were walking into a garden or courtyard. Our vendors went above and beyond to make the room feel intimate and romantic.”
Guests were treated to an array of sweet delights, but the real showstoppers were the intricately decorated cake, adorned with buttercream florals, and the delicate floral cupcakes, all created by Parinda Cupcakes, which perfectly captured the essence of the Secret Garden theme.
Emily wore a stunning marquise diamond from Iowa Diamond, while Ryan wore a classic gold band. The day was a vibrant celebration, filled with bold hues of pinks, oranges, blues, and yellows—colors that perfectly reflected the joy and energy of their love story. These colors and details were all brought to life from the lens of the incredible Aaryn Mae Exposures, both on film and camera!
Intentional Details
Emily and Ryan were committed to making their wedding day feel deeply intentional and heartfelt, and with the help of their amazing Iowa vendors, they brought that vision to life.
One of the most unique touches was their ceremony. The couple potted a plant together, inviting both of their mothers to come up and pour dirt into the pot. The plant now sits in their home, a beautiful symbol of their growth as individuals and as a couple throughout their marriage.
Before heading to the reception, the wedding party took a trolley ride for more photos with Aaryn Mae Exposures, making a special stop at the bar in Des Moines where Emily and Ryan had their first date. They shared a round of mini beers and enjoyed hanging out with their closest friends before the celebration continued in the “Secret Garden” at the venue.
As guests entered the reception, they were surrounded by flowers. This theme was also a testament to the bride’s late grandmother’s birthday that fell on the same day as their wedding day. “We always called her garden in her backyard growing up our secret garden. To the point where she had a sign hanging on her fence with that name when you walked into the garden. We had that sign present the day of and it just feel like she was there the whole time.”
Bella Flora Event Design even created a bud vase wall for the seating chart, allowing each guest to take home a piece of the day as a favor. Emily said, “I knew everyone was taking time out of their schedules to celebrate us, and I wanted them to feel how much that meant to us. I really tried to make everything intentional for our guests. One of my favorite details was stamping everyone’s name on their place setting.”
Looking Back
Looking back on their special day, Emily and Ryan are filled with gratitude for everyone who shared in their celebration. “We’re so thankful to everyone who celebrated with us and to our vendors who went above and beyond to make our day even better than we could have imagined. It truly was our dream day.” Emily also shared a special thank-you to their photographer, Aaryn Mae, saying, “Aaryn made everything so easy from the start, from planning our engagement photos to helping us build the timeline for our wedding day.”
It was a day full of love, beauty, and unforgettable moments—one that Emily and Ryan will cherish for a lifetime. Cheers to the Doser’s!
Other Local Vendors:
River Center Des Moines, Birdy Grey, Quartet 515, Skeffingtons Formal Wear, Hello Darlin Glam, Rose Garden, Peridot & Lace, The Evermore, Snap XP, The Shuffle Couple, Truly Engaging, The Outside Scoop, Revelry, Rhylan Lang Bridal, Des Moines Marriott Downtown
