Haley & Evan’s Wedding at Little Lights on the Lane in West Branch, Iowa

The First Day!

Haley and Evan’s love story began in college at the University of Iowa. Of course it wouldn’t be the University of Iowa without some tailgating. Haley and Evan were both wearing some pretty unique outfits and each caught the others’ eye at one of the first tailgates of the season. Evan, (in his jean short cut offs, jean vest, and American flag hat), headed over to talk to Haley and her friends. She was immediately intrigued, but he was so outgoing Haley thought he was interested in her roommate!

They ended up spending the rest of the day together and talking for hours on the roof of the house they were at. It turned out they lived in the same apartment complex and would proceed to run into each multiple times other over the next few months.

Fast forward to the spring of 2014. Haley and Evan happened to be at the same house where they had met during tailgating season. Would you believe us if we told you their first kiss happened because of a bet?!

The two were playing darts in the basement. Evan bet Haley if he beat her, he would get a kiss. Evan was confident he would win, and Haley fully knew he would win as well-or maybe she let him win?! From there he asked her out on an ice cream date, and the rest is history. He’s just happy she didn’t get lucky in darts!

The Yes Day!

Evan and Haley’s proposal story is one of the most meaningful proposals we have ever heard! They were building a new house together and Haley thought it would be fun to write special quotes from their relationship on the wood framing before they insulated. Haley was shocked to see how into the idea Evan was since he’s not a cheesy romantic at all like she is!

The day before the builder was going to start insulating, Evan texted Haley about the quotes. Haley had just finished a LONG day of teaching, and wanted to pass on the whole idea. Evan was insistent they still do the quotes because he knew she would wish they had years down the road. Haley reluctantly agreed and they headed over late that night in the FREEZING cold.

After writing their quotes, Evan told Haley he had one more he had forgotten to write in their bedroom. He went to do that, and yelled from across the house for Haley to come check it out. There, written above the window in their future bedroom were the words, “Marry Me?” Haley was in shock, but of course said “YES!!”

The Assistant!

Haley and Evan had the assistant package with us, which was super fun! We got to meet multiple times before the big day, and get to know them as a couple before spending their wedding weekend together. Just like in their proposal, Haley wanted to have lots of meaning behind all the little details of their wedding day. We helped Haley come up with ideas, helped make sure they stayed on track with planning, and always had helpful solutions when problems arose!

The Best Day!

We loved how Haley and Evan’s wedding day was filled with personal details. They had the Marco’s Grilled Cheese Food Truck (which is what they used to get on the way home from the bars in Iowa City), their dog Jovie walking down the aisle as the dog of honor, a tree planting unity ceremony, and vintage keys that doubled as bottle openers for the place cards since keys have always been their “thing.”

After the ceremony the party got started right away! Everyone loved the three food buffets with each one having a different type of cuisine. The guests had a blast dancing the horah on the outdoor dance floor under the huge porch at Little Lights on the Lane, and taking pictures in the adorable vintage Volkswagen photobooth bus from The Good Co. Towards the end of the night Haley changed into a stunning sequined party dress and all-white platform converse with her last name, Bridwell, embroidered down the heel!

We were so happy we got to help Haley and Evan have their dream wedding! We were honored when Haley wrote the following in her review on The Knot,

“She [Emily] just really was amazing and was THE reason I was able to enjoy the whole wedding without worrying about anything. If you’re on the fence about hiring a wedding planner-just do it! That is my number one advice! If you’re trying to fit it into your budget, then take something else out because a stress-free day is priceless!”