Our Work

Sima & Brandon’s Wedding at Hancher in Iowa City, Iowa

A Plan for Every Couple  We met Sima and Brandon at the University Catering tasting event earlier this year and it was a great fit! They are the couple that knew what they wanted for their wedding day, but they needed someone to execute it. This made The Essentials package the right fit for them. They had…

Soirée’s Guide to: String Lighting at Your Wedding

String lighting is a gorgeous way to make a big impact on your wedding design. The lights provide a romantic canopy to completely transform any indoor or outdoor venue. By adding a glow and warmth above the guests, the space above them is now a statement that they will remember fondly. This is a great…

Melissa & Matt’s Wedding at the IMU in Iowa City, Iowa

A College Love Story Melissa and Matt are the perfect example of “college sweethearts.” Even though Matt is pretty sure they met at the bar, they actually met while at their University library while both studying with friends. Matt swept Melissa off her feet with his wide variety of computer stickers, his long hair, and…

Betsy & John’s Wedding at Wilson’s Ciderhouse and Venue in Iowa City, Iowa

Betsy and John – Love at First Sight Betsy and John first met when they were both freshmen in college. It all started when they met at a formal event, but they were actually both attending with different dates. From that night, they instantly knew that they were there with the wrong people and the…

Kate & Andrew’s Wedding at Ashton Hill Farm in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Love and Laughter Kate and Andrew are two peas in a pod who just happened to meet online, but you’d swear they have been best friends their whole lives because and are perfect soulmates. They both share a love for the Hawks and the Cubs, they love to travel, and they’re both big fans of…

15 Things You Didn’t Know a Wedding Planner Does

You’re engaged, you’re ready to start planning your dream day, but you have no idea where to start. Don’t worry! We got this! Do I need a wedding planner? Is it worth the investment? ​Without a doubt, the answer is always YES! Over and over, our couples reach out to thank us for the role…

Tina & Chris’ Wedding at the Palmer House Stables in Solon, Iowa

“People are weird. When we find someone with weirdness that is compatible with ours, we team up and call it love.” – Dr. Seuss   When You Know, You Know Tina and Chris knew they were right for each other after a handful of emails and a first date. Their love is something that fell…

Ask The Experts: How Wedding Stationery Impacts the Guest Experience

  We got the chance to sit down with Sarah and Celeste with Allegra Iowa City (based in Coralville) to talk about ALL things stationery! They have a combined 19+ years in the industry and are passionate about their craft. Celeste opened up her Allegra franchise a year ago after acquiring Zephyr Weddings & Zephyr…

Ask The Experts: How Rentals Incorporates Your Personality Into Your Wedding

We sat down with rental expert Macy, owner of Borrow My Vintage, to understand how rentals can incorporate personality into your wedding. Macy started off as a wedding photographer as a side gig while she pursued her career as a medical assistant. Her rental business started with one vintage chair she used in a bridal…

Ask the Experts: Incorporating Your Cake Design into Your Wedding Theme

If you are struggling to incorporate your cake design into the rest of your wedding theme, you aren’t alone! Choosing your wedding cake can be super overwhelming, but it’s the sweetest part of wedding planning. The design of your wedding cake is such a fun way to incorporate your wedding design into your reception look…