“This day was near to my heart as Gabe is my brother and Martha, is one of my best friend’s – so I was beyond honored to shoot this event. Their day began with gifts to each other, getting ready, and a first look. Their outdoor ceremony was focused on their faith and included a message, worship, prayer from the parents and friends, and communion between the two. After the ceremony we spent time driving around Ledges Park taking beautiful images of their new covenant. The reception was held in a lodge at the park and was decorated with handmade bunting, stringed lights, lanterns, and flowers the bride and her sisters arranged themselves. Bowties were made for the all men in the wedding party and family, the pants were fitted with suspenders, and the bridesmaids were gifted matching cardigans. From top to bottom it was a handmade wedding and a beautiful day.” – Dust Studios

What is your favorite wedding day memory?

This is a difficult question to answer, so I will choose to describe just one of my favorite points of the day. Gabe and I did a “first look” so that we could take photos and spend some time together before the ceremony. I was pretty overwhelmed most of the morning, so when it finally came time for us to meet I took a deep breath, prayed, and let go of all of the details of the day that were weighing on my mind. I knew that none of those things were truly important. I was with my groom, and from that point on we would no longer be apart. I think that point of the day is when I really started to feel like it was my wedding day and I was able to relax and celebrate.

What did you DIY for your wedding?

Most of the details were DIY! I made mine and the ladies’ earrings with earring hooks and fabric pieces I found on Etsy. We decorated with ivory paper bunting that was hand cut by me and my best friend. Another friend and I hand painted the wooden signs that my husband cut for us out of wood from his parent’s property. My husband designed the programs, and we ordered the flowers in bulk through a flower delivery service and some of my older sisters arranged them into beautiful bouquets. One of my sisters and I cut the table runners from burlap that we also ordered online (Brides, if you’re going to try this you will need extremely sharp scissors), and my father-in-law constructed the frame that we used for our curtain at the beginning of the aisle. The reception location was kind of a DIY project all in itself. We used a stone shelter at a nearby state park and built the party from the ground up. We rented tables and chairs, strung lights and paper bunting, and decorated with simple flower arrangements, candles, and lanterns. We loved the stone, and we didn’t need to decorate too much because we were surrounded by such beautiful nature! We had our hand in every detail, and none of it would have been possible without our wonderful hardworking family and bridal party!

Something old, new, borrowed and blue?

I did not have something borrowed, but I did have something old, something new, and something blue! My shoes were “old” – I just wore my favorite brown sandals from Target. My dress was something new! I did have something blue, but I’m a lady so we can’t talk about that.

Any advice for brides currently in the planning process?

Doing a lot of work yourself can be so much fun! However, be sure to reserve your wedding day for what is most important. Being involved in all the details can be distracting. The point of the day is not to have a perfect event, it’s to get married. So hand off the details to friends and family and spend your wedding day doing whatever you want! Our day was beautiful and I am so thankful for how well things worked out, but looking back I would have chosen to start the day sharing breakfast together with our bridal party and then spending as much of the day in a relaxed atmosphere celebrating together as much as possible. – Martha, the bride

Event Credits

Photographer: Dust Studios // Venue: Ledges State Park // Catering: Hy-Vee Catering // Desserts: Homemade by the Bride and her sisters // Dress: Pronovias // Sandals: Target // Earrings: DIY by the Bride // Brides ring: Ames Silversmithing // Hair: Brides sister // Flowers: FreshRoses.com // Bridesmaid dresses and shoes: their choice // Men's pants: Gap // Men's shirts: Express // Bowties: Handmade by the bride // Invitations: Elena Kaloupek of Dust Studios // Programs and other printed goods: Handmade by the Groom