Matt & Kelsey Downtown Marriott- Des Moines, Iowa

Weddings crashers are real!

Seriously, have you guys ever experienced them? Maybe not like Vince Vaughn, but real wedding crashers? In our 10 years, we have had 2 scenarios. ..that we know of!

Kelsey & Matt celebrated in Downtown Des Moines, Iowa. The Downtown Marriott hosted their event, and we had SO much fun! Kelsey & Matt are one of those couples, that after you meet them, you’re like… dang… I wish we were friends!

Serious! You know those kinds of people? The ones that are out doing things, enjoying life, adventuring together. These two nailed it.

After Kelsey called me we later found out that we had mutual friends. Needless to say, I was pumped! The chances of us becoming ACTUAL friends was getting closer and closer.

Kelsey & Matt were married in August at Capitol Hill Lutheran Church in Des Moines. The reception was held at Downtown Marriott.

But, I guess I wasn’t the only who could feel this amazing couples energy! We had a WEDDING CRASHER during their dance.

I mean, I don’t blame them!

Flocka Flocka showed up!

Kelsey & Matt had a beautiful fun day in Des Moines. We were honored to be a part of it!

Contributors:

Ceremony Venue Capital Hill Lutheran Church

Reception Venue Downtown Marriott

Photographer Aly Caroll Photography

Floral Shelly Sarver Designs

Wedding Cake Loritas

Catering Downtown Marriott

Wedding Dress Schaffer

Wedding Planning Mostly Becky Weddings

How Much will being a Bridesmaid COST?

This summer I get the pleasure to plan and participate in my baby sister's wedding festivities! And now, as I am planning the bachelorette party getaway the planner in me LOVES making all the lists. I also feel SO OLD! How am I planning a weekend getaway for my baby sister?! So, as I layout everything that I have to do, I wanted to share a few tips to being a bridesmaid in 2018 and all that is may cost you! 

Image by Alexander Michl Photography

The planning, the pinteresting, the parties! Being a bridesmaid is so fun! But, it can be an investment. We wanted to breakdown some of the expected and appropriate costs of being a bridesmaid, so you can plan ahead! Of course, the cost will vary based on the location of the event, where you plan to travel for some of the parties and how far away you live. But, just in case take a look! 

Engagement Party

Usually the first event! And because you are a bridesmaid you are the guest of honor! So, if you can make it it will be well worth it. Remember to factor in airfare if you don't live close enough to drive. And don't forget a gift! We need to congratulate them on their engagement, so don't come empty handed. 

Airfaret: $300
Weekend Extras: $200
Lodging: Free (hopefully you can stay with a friend) 
New Dress & Shoes: $250
Hair & Gel Nails: $160
Engagement Gift and Card: $50

Total Engagement Party With Airfare:  $960
Total Engagement Party Without Airfare: $710

Of course you can cut costs by wearing something you own, or borrowing from your sister. So, book your weekend and enjoy! But, the big question is...

CAN YOU SKIP THE ENGAGEMENT PARTY?

If you do not live within driving distance this is more acceptable. But, being apart of the bridal party you should make this a priority to attend. If nothing else, send a card and gift wishing you could make it. 

Image by: Emily Crall Photogrpahy

Bridal Shower 

The 2nd event of the wedding is something as a part of the wedding party you should not only attend, but also chip in for. Speak to the host of the party and see where there is a need. Send money if your distance is too far to help. But, you can also support in other ways, provide help setting up or cleaning up afterwards. There is plenty to do, so make it known you are there to help out in any way. And at the bare minimum, you're going to have to attend,  look nice and buy a gift.

Airfare: $300
Weekend Extras: $200
New Dress: $100 (you already bought shoes for the engagement party, so wear those) 
Hair & Gel Nails: $160
Bridal Shower Gift and Card: $50
Bridal Shower Chip In Fee: $100 (or whatever your offered to bring/help with) 

Total Wedding Shower Investment With Airfare: $710
Total Wedding Shower Investment  Without Airfare: $410

Image by Brian Davis Photography

Bachelorette Party 

By far, this may be some of the most fun you have as part of the bridal party. You travel to a beautiful location, you wear matching dresses, sip cocktails and get your pre-wedding glow on. It's is going to be magical, and most likely the most expensive! Why can't everything be free? 

Airfare: $300
Lodging (hopefully shared): $150
Weekend Extras: $200
Money For Bride's Room: $75 (always chip in for this!)
Bachelorette Present: $50
Matching Bridesmaid dresses/attire: $50
Vaca clothes because well of course: $200

Total Bachelorette Weekend: $950

Want to save some money? Bachelorette Tip! 

The earlier you book the better the rate you can secure. If you know the bride wants to a gataway then ask to help plan and get booking right away! This way, you can better plan your budget. 

Your Bridemaid's Attire

We wanted to make sure that you didn't miss anything on the list here. Usually, the dress is a given and the cost is known well in advance. But, there is so much more to your look outside if your attire. It's the hair, makeup, nails, and shoes. So we've added those in for you too. 

Your Dress: $150
Shoes: $100
Gel Maini/Pedi: $160
Wedding Hair & Makeup: $100
Jewelry: $0 (this could be a cost if the bride does not have specific jewels she wants you in. If she does, she will gift you with them!)
Getting Ready Robe: $0 (The bride will provide this if she wants to include these)
Flowers: $0 (These are all included in the brides budget and should be no cost to you)

Your Bridesmaid Look: $510

Image by Val Marlene Creative

The Wedding Day

Don't forget your gift! Besides travel to the wedding, here are a few more items we wanted to make sure you included when planning to be apart of this special day! 

Airfare: $300
Hotel: $200
Uber to the venue: $10 (hopefully you can share)
Starbucks day of and next day: $10
Wedding Gift: $50
Celebrating your best friends: Priceless

Day Of  Wedding Day Costs: $570

Now, you may realize this seems crazy expensive and all the plans or details listed may not apply to the wedding your in. But, in case that it does... we wanted to you to be well prepared and to ENJOY YOURSELF! 

Total Engagement Party: $960
Total Wedding Shower: $710
Total Bachelorette Weekend: $950
Your Total Look: $510
Day Of Wedding Day: $570
Total Bridesmaid Cost In 2018: $3,700

Image by Less Traveled Photography

Geena & Holden Winterset, Iowa

Guys, did you know Winterset, Iowa was so stinkin' beautiful? In the flat farm land of Iowa I think sometimes when we see hills, valleys and mountains, we don't know what to do with all the beauty!

TAKE A LOOK!

This wedding was such a special event for so many reasons, but mainly because we get to brag on our ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE Wedding Planner, Heather. Remember her? Heather worked closely with Geena & Holden in the pre-planning stages AND she took on this event SOLO! WHAAAAA??

The vendors RAVED about her, the couple couldn't have been more grateful for her. And boy, we couldn't be more proud!

By Heather Helgren

Holden and Geena’s wedding was nothing short of a fairytale. When I drove around the many bends and hills of the Winterset, Iowa countryside, I knew that it was going to be unique.

The best element about this wedding was the venue. It was a sweet, beautiful acreage with vast valleys and scenic views. The barn wasn’t perfect, and that is exactly what I loved about it. It complemented not only the couple’s vibes, but also the wedding party’s.  I knew this when I noticed that the groomsmen chose to camp right outside the Air BnB in a small tent. I loved that. They didn’t mind “roughin’ it” just a little bit. So when I walked into the barn for the first time, with the dirt floor, exposed wooden beams and dusty windows, I thought to myself, “this is perfect.”

Even when I met Geena, I knew that she had a simple elegance about her that radiated natural beauty and grace.

I admired her right away.

Her intimacy with her family further confirmed why she loves Holden the way that she does.  She chose to wear her mother’s wedding dress, and she was positively stunning.

Holden’s relationship with his family and his groomsmen was something to be admired as well. I mean it with all my heart when I say I honestly loved working with the wedding party and their families. They were extremely encouraging and had “go with the flow” attitudes that wedding planners don’t find that often. They always approached me and asked what they could do to help.  When I looked stressed out or about to lose my mind, they would joke with me and be my comedy relief. These people were selfless, helpful, and even had a sense of humor that could make the hardest of hearts crack a smile. The wedding wouldn’t have been the same without them.

Another unique element about the Rasmussen wedding was the culture that they incorporated into it. It was important for Geena’s family to express their heritage by presenting a bride piñata and groom piñata during the reception. Laughs erupted the entire barn as the blindfolded bride attempted to break the groom piñata, and the blindfolded groom tried to break the bride’s using a broomstick. Even the bridesmaids and groomsmen took at few swings at them! The joy and cohesiveness within their friends and families is clearly unbreakable (pun intended).

I loved this wedding. The vendors were wonderful and talented (Up In Smoke BBQ was phenomenal!), the scenery was beautiful, and the guests were supportive and encouraging. It’s weddings like these that make me grateful to do what I do. It’s weddings like these that make the hours of sweat and problem solving all worth it.

I am thankful to be working for Mostly Becky, and I am even more thankful for the people that I meet along the way.

-Heather Helgren

And AS ALWAYS this beautiful day would not have been possible without the hard working vendors we had the pleasure to work alongside. Thank you for all you do! 

Bridal Wear- Dornink Bridal

Tent- A to Z Rentals

Portable Restroom- A King's Throne

Chairs & Tables- Breeding True Value

Linen- Party Depot

Photography- Alexander Michl Photography

Venue - The Barn at Lone Oaks Farm

Wedding Planning & Coordination- Mostly Becky Weddings & Events

Catering- Up in Smoke BBQ