Vows That Wow – Emma & Seth
Featured In This Article:
A Glamorous Step Back in Time
Emma + Seth’s wedding felt like walking into another era; one filled with candlelight, jazz music, romantic drapery, and intentional details at every turn. The celebration blended roaring 20’s glamour with deeply personal touches – keep reading to hear us break it all down.
The Ceremony
The ceremony space was nothing short of breathtaking thanks to the vision brought to life by You’re Invited DSM and the dreamy drapery installation from Monarch Events. Rose petals lined the aisle as guests arrived dressed in their finest roaring 20’s inspired attire, and 12 ft ivory silk draping towered over the couple as they exchanged personal vows.
The ceremony itself was officiated by the bride’s own father and Emma recorded a special message as her mom walked down the aisle. Seth’s custom suit even featured hand-sewn lining filled with letters Emma had written to him while they dated, adding another layer of sentiment to an already emotional day.
Vintage Romance & Design Details
Every design element throughout the wedding reflected Emma’s vision of “retro Americana glamour” with a whimsical vintage feel. Emma shared with us the following:
“From the very start of our engagement I knew I wanted some traditional aspects of a wedding, but also dreamt of adding my unique personal touches to the day. It took me several months to find a venue that captured stepping back in time – a whimsical, vintage-feel with a modern twist. When I first laid eyes on this spot, I knew it was the place. As I walked through the grassy area outside, then through the chapel, and down to the basement, I could literally feel the 1920’s. I could see the candles glimmering and the romantic drapery and could hear the live jazz music echoing against the stone walls in the basement. We began to build every detail! Some of my favorite touches include: the vintage speakeasy we crafted by hand in an empty stone basement, the expresso martini cocktails on silver platters as our guests walked down the narrow ramp, the vintage photo booth that was full all night long, the cheese wheel manned by a chef at the buffet table, the tiny silver ice cream dishes providing a sweet treat after dinner. And backtracking a bit in the day, THE CEREMONY! Intimate, gorgeous 12 ft drapery, the message officiated by my own dad, our personal vows, my husband’s suit with hand-sewn lining containing all the letters I wrote him while we dated, a special message to my mom recorded by me as she walked down the aisle, our guests decked out in their best roaring 20’s attire. There was just so much meaning. So many prayers went into our day. It was just so amazing and wonderful! So tender, meaningful, fun, glamorous, full of love!”
Monarch Events transformed both the ceremony and reception spaces with layered ivory draping, hanging chandeliers above the head table, chic outdoor umbrellas, and refined rentals that elevated every corner of the celebration. Emma’s bridal look perfectly matched the mood of the day, a dramatic satin gown paired with delicate lace gloves, timeless jewelry, and a bouquet overflowing with soft white blooms and cascading texture.
The Speakeasy Feel
One of the most unforgettable parts of the evening was the handcrafted speakeasy hidden inside the venue’s stone basement. Working alongside You’re Invited DSM, the couple transformed the dark lower level into a moody lounge complete with cozy seating areas, jazz music, and vintage decor that made guests feel transported back in time. “Shari from You’re Invited was the one who pulled everyone together and made it extra special.” – Emma
Specialty cocktails, a vintage photo booth, a chef-served cheese wheel, and tiny silver ice cream dishes created an experience that felt immersive, glamorous, and endlessly thoughtful.
Meaningful Moments
What made Emma + Seth’s wedding truly unforgettable was the meaning woven into every detail. From Emma’s handbag created from her mother’s wedding dress to the handwritten letters sewn into Seth’s suit jacket, every part of the day reflected intentionality, family, and love. The result was a celebration that felt tender, stylish, nostalgic, and joy-filled all at the same time, the kind of wedding guests will talk about for years to come – and the kind that has a spot in our 2026 Book of Weddings coming soon! Cheers to the Juhls!
Other Local Vendors:
Costco, The Black Tux, Beyond Elegance, Hilton Des Moines Downtown, A Special Event DJ, 515 Party Bus, Vintage Love Rentals, Anna Jones, HyVee, Azazie, Taste! To Go Catering, Keaton Hewitt, Beeline and Blue, Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano, Morgan Pfifer, Iowa Photo Booth, Max Wellman, Kleinfield NYC, The Saints Center, Owen Hormillosa
