I love when couples decide to move forward with their dreams- for Kyla and Sam, that was an outdoor ceremony. Even with the rain, it was sweet and beautiful and perfect. Check out more of this Cedar Falls Rotary Reserve wedding day!!
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Des Moines Wedding Photography
Click through to see some images from our studio styled shoot titled “Art in Motion”
My favorite photos from my wedding photography in Des Moines, Iowa. Enjoy some tender moments and joyful memories of so many wonderful wedding days in the Midwest!
Watching one of your best friends walk through a whirlwind romance almost feels like watching a play unfold. You don’t know where the story is going, there are great laughs, little “bloops”, tears shed and although you have a feeling that the new guy introduced is going to be the one who she says yes to… it’s all unseen until it happens.
Not only is Elizabeth one of the most naturally gorgeous women I know, but her interior beauty shines more than her physical! She actually modeled for my in my fledging photographer days, at least once, maybe more. I had some silly ideas, but she put up with them in typical Liz style— encouraging, laughing, and having fun! We also shared some memories detasseling, if I recall correctly. Good ol’ Iowa summers!
You may remember my recent post of Naomi and James’ one year anniversary photos. It was a unique photo session, because we did them in their apartment! Such a fun afternoon of coffee & records & documenting the space they’ve turned into a home, in a little suburb of Omaha.
What words can I use to describe this day! Intimate, snowy, full of love. Sarah and David’s outdoor tent wedding in small town (Ladysmith) Wisconsin— north of Eau Claire— was truly a day to remember forever. If you want to read a little more about them, check out their engagement photos in this blog post. (Which we took the night before!)
Cole and Erin heard of me through a friend. We photographed their engagement photos at a pond near Cole's childhood home... so it was only fitting that we took some photos at the pond next to Cornerstone Church, where they got married! This day was such a sweet one. Erin's bridesmaids were all so much fun, helping her with her dress and laughing with each other. I want to be friends with all of them!
I’ve got an exciting announcement today— I’m moving!
Shelby and Preston's wedding day at Riverside Bible Camp was an absolute dream! Shelby wanted things to keep with a simple, springtime feel, and I have to say that I'm slightly obsessed with ev.ery.thing. The girls and guys began their day getting ready at a hotel in Story City, making it easy for everyone to sleep in a little before the big day.
Jillian and Anthony met in college, but they didn't feel immediate sparks. However, after months together on the road for a traveling class, their friendship slowly grew into more. They bought matching bear hats together (you'll see them later!) and share a love for the outdoors, family, and simplicity. All of that was evident in this gorgeous outdoor spring wedding at Oakwood Country Club in Coal Valley, Illinois!
Jenny and Jeremiah's story began back in the summer of 2012. They both attended a summer program in Florida for two months; however, Jenny was a staff member and Jeremiah attended as a student! (I also participated and met them both, however, since I was from a different university, didn't interact much with either one.) The next summer, Jenny led a missions trip overseas, and Jeremiah was one of the (again) students on the trip. That summer created a strong friendship between the whole team.
We began photos at Walnut Ridge Baptist Church, where Danae and her ladies were snacking on bagels, drinking sparkling cider, and getting made up. Knowing some of those women made the morning extra fun for me! Danae had chosen a gorgeous deep purple for her bridesmaids to wear, and I just have to say--this may be one of my favorite color palettes! Not to mention her ring...heavenly. I'm so thankful to have had the time for detail photos, especially the sweet heirloom handkerchief Danae carried!
December sparkles with twinkle lights, dreams of snow, and the hope of Christmas. It's arguably the most magical month of the year...so when Megan told me that she and Kelly were getting married on December 1, I'm pretty sure I squealed!
Lizy and I met just a few weeks into her freshman year at Iowa State, and I remember just how bubbly and sweet she was! (And still is, ha!) Memories were made that year, including dorm room karaoke, which is something I *highly* recommend.
Alex and Natalie share a love based on faith, and on serving others. Their engagement photo session in Des Moines was a fall dream-come-true!
“Better than I was
More than I am
And all of this happened
By taking your hand”
Miranda & JP are just too cute together! The evening of their session was full of slow wanderings around their rural Iowa town and countryside. We started off in a park, then moved to downtown Atlantic, and finally ended up out on JP's family's land! These two met on Valentine's Day (isn't that just adorable?!) and although sparks didn't fly that first night, over time, they became interested in each other and have been together ever since! Not literally—Miranda has been studying at Iowa State University, while JP has been working on the farm. He's a legit cowboy! That means there's a real good chance these two could be the Pioneer Woman & Marlboro Man of the midwest. ;) I'm excited to explore more of Atlantic with them when they get married in March!
Love Always,
Amelia Renee
“Can’t say how the days will unfold...
Can’t change what the future may hold...
But I want you in it,
Every hour, every minute.”
Megan and Kelly met up in Minneapolis in early 2015—in a bar, hit it off, and have been together ever since! I love that! How fun that they could totally star in a television show…they've already got the meet cute! ;) What I really love is what Megan told me in one of her first emails to me. "Kelly proposed to me on December 1, 2016 in New York City in Central Park during a carriage ride at night. Yep, pretty magical!" They will get married this December 1…an exact year from when Kelly proposed! Isn't that gorgeous!?
Since Kelly had to relocated to Des Moines for his job, we decided to shoot their engagement photos there. Megan will be moving down after their winter wedding in Ankeny, and then the distance part of their relationship will be over. I'm betting they are excited about that! Megan and Kelly really balance each other out in personality and interests. They enjoy vastly different music, for example…which I said means they just get to keep learning new things from each other! We started off at Grey's Lake in Des Moines, and then moved up to the Iowa Capitol building (and even found a rooftop to catch those last rays of sunlight!).
That Des Moines skyline will forever have my heart! It's been a dream of mine to shoot engagement or wedding photos here at sunset—so glad these two were accomadting of that!
Danggggggg girl—work it!
Check back in December to see Megan & Kelly's wedding photos! I can't wait:)
Love always,
Amelia Renee
Des Moines Engagement Photography:
Naomi + James
Naomi and James met in college at Northwestern in Orange City. Together, they make a kind and quirky pair! After graduation, these two packed up their dorm rooms and met me in Des Moines for their engagement session. We started out at Scenic Route Bakery, wandered around downtown, took a few photos in front of the Iowa State Capital, and even teased the rainclouds a bit with an umbrella! Naomi and James were so much fun—I don't think we stopped laughing and talking their entire session…so much so, that I drank two tumblers of water at dinner! (Check out Tacopocalypse for the best Asian-Mexican fusion I've ever had.)
Naomi and James will be moving to Omaha after they get married—and have dreams of loving on low-income families, youth in the community, and probably every person they run into. ;) I have no doubt they will do just that!
They get married in Omaha in September and I. Can't. Wait!!!
It's always fun to find out someone you know is engaged. It's even more fun when you find out…and had no idea they'd been dating someone! Haha! That's exactly what happened here. I've known Elizabeth and her family since childhood. Her younger brother is getting married in August, and I'm photographing his wedding (so excited!). One evening, I was at Wal-Mart, on a late night grocery run, and out of the blue got a text from Elizabeth asking if I was free this fall for her wedding. I was shocked, but thrilled! Fun to find out she'd been seeing Chris, and they'd gotten engaged early this winter. Now they're getting closer to their September wedding, and I can't wait to photograph it in Des Moines!
Since Chris lives in Omaha, we coordinated their engagement photography session for a weekend that he was already visiting Elizabeth in Des Moines. Her one request was that we do their engagement photos at the Des Moines Farmer's Market! I was pumped—it'd been on my bucket list to go, but hadn't gotten around to it yet. We figured out the May 6 was the opening morning…and so we put it on the calendar and prayed against rain. ;) Sure enough, it was bright and sunny!
We started out their session at the gorgeous Iowa State Capital building…and then moved downtown to the Farmer's Market. There are loads of fresh flowers and bouquets, so Elizabeth convinced Chris to buy her some. Plus, they work great for photos and brightening up an apartment, right?! ;) So…totally worth it!
These two are planning to show off their favorite photos at the reception (I can't wait to see how they use them for decor!) so I'm blogging just a few favorites. Hope you enjoy them!
