WEDDING BLOG

Pink peonies and ivory roses punctuated Jessica and Mark’s blush and gray Des Moines wedding at Sticks. The outdoor-indoor venue made for a perfectly romantic setting to say “I do” and dance the night away. Out of Box Event Productions impeccably styled the affair with subtle rustic elements while remaining utterly elegant. Amanda Basteen Photography captured the sweetest portraits of the newlyweds as they spent a few moments together walking through the venue grounds before heading into their indoor reception.

The Couple:

Jessica and Mark

The Wedding:

Sticks, Des Moines, Iowa

The Inspiration:

I wanted a beautiful spring wedding outside and Sticks provided the perfect backdrop for that inspiration. The colors for the wedding were blushes, whites, gold, and earthy tones. Peonies and large roses were my flower of choice because they represented the elegant yet soft color structure of spring time. Everything came together perfectly and all of the artists did such a great job making my vision come true.

The Moments:

Jessica: I loved the whole day with my girls, it was so fun and surreal, but if I had to choose one specific moment I would say it was when my husband sang to me at the reception. The band called him up and he sang Fly Me to the Moon by Frank Sinatra. He has such an amazing voice and my heart sunk. How many brides can say they’ve been serenaded by their husband on their wedding day?

Mark: The whole day was absolutely unforgettable. I had all my best friends with me and some I hadn’t seen for 10 years in my wedding by my side. I’d be lying though if I didn’t admit my favorite moment was seeing Jessie for the first time being walked down the aisle by her dad. We didn’t see each other before the wedding so it made it very special. She was so beautiful and radiant, I couldn’t hold back the tears.

The Couple Recommends:

Anthony Marinaro of Out of Box Event Productions was absolutely fantastic! I don’t think things would have ran as smoothly without his professionalism and calm demeanor. He had a way of making everyone around him feel special and I know my husband and family loved working with him. He was very organized, yet knew when to let his guard down so everyone could enjoy the experience. I would recommend him to anyone who is looking for a planner; he’s top notch!

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Amanda Basteen Photography
Event Planning – Out of Box Event Productions
Venue – Sticks
Floral Design – Bella Flora
Catering – Taste To Go
Cake – Glorious Desserts
Officiant – Jaime Paca
Live Music – Michael Walters Orchestra
Videography – Estuary Motion Studios
Invitations – Wedding Paper Divas
Makeup Artist – Salon W
Wedding Dress – Bridal Elegance
Bridal Accessories – Bridal Elegance
Bridesmaids’ Apparel – David’s Bridal
Groom’s Apparel – Skeffington’s Formal Wear
Groomsmen’s Apparel – Skeffington’s Formal Wear
Rings – Christopher’s Fine Jewelry
Transportation – NPI Limo Service

Congratulations to Jessica and Mark on their romantic Des Moines wedding! Be sure to check out Stacia and Eric’s rustic winter wedding with red accents for more of Amanda Basteen‘s Iowa wedding photography!