Ryan & Jo Story City, Iowa

We've said it before and we'll say it again. When you take something you love, teach it to others- empowering them to spread their wings. The BEST THING in this life, is seeing them fly! How many are with me? I am so honored to have the BEST team on earth. Although, I am bias, I'm not wrong. My planning team blows me away with their attention to detail. Their unwavering customer service, and dedication to loving EVERY SINGLE PERSON THEY MEET. If there is an example of how Mostly Becky strives to serve others, take a look at my wedding planners.

They teach me something everyday. 

So it is with GREAT HONOR to introduce another blog by our very own, Elizabeth. She planned this event of 270 ON HER OWN, Executed flawlessly, and trained up a team of assistants. Being proud is an UNDERSTATEMENT! Elizabeth is not one to take charge, being the youngest of 4. She tends to hide in the background. But, times have changed! Congrats to you Elizabeth, we are excited to watch you fly! 

Remember her here? 

By Elizabeth Thomas 

Ryan & Johanna Jolivette

Meaningful and sentimental; those are the two words that kept coming to mind as the wedding plans and day unfolded for Johanna and Ryan in rural Iowa. 

Let’s start with the venue; Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp. On the surface, this quaint camp, snuggled next to the river is the perfect place for a day of celebration with loved ones. The rustic A-frame chapel with massive amounts of natural light to the beautiful old oak trees all around camp make the whole scene feel beautiful and cozy. For the couple, however, Riverside Bible Camp meant so much more.

It was the first place they met while playing soccer as campers.

Camp was the place they both grew closer to Jesus through time set aside at camp to meeting people who encouraged and challenged them in their faith. Not only was camp beautiful, but it was infused with memories from every step of their relationship. The sentiment did not end their either.

The main meal was catered by a family friend from the bride’s hometown. Florals and baked goods were all done with local vendors.This was one of my favorite parts of the day. All the vendors this day brought a relaxed hometown feel to all they did. Their attention to detail and genuine care for the couple was evident in the services they provided.

Specifically, the photographer, Less Traveled Photography, took the rustic and quaint backgrounds of camp and created beautiful backdrops for the gushing with love couple. Having met the couple at camp as camp counselors, he knew exactly the personalities and desires of the couple. This genuine relationship brought out the vibrant photos the couple will have to remember their special day forever.

Early on in the planning, the bride made it evident she wanted to eat a hearty meal with loved ones and dance the night away. The bride and groom were able to keep the traditional aspects such as a father-daughter dance and mother-son dance while also incorporating their families famous polka dance.

With this being my first solo wedding and a guest list projected of 300, calling in backup and an extra set of professional hands was a must.

My assistant Kari for the day, a communications major from the University of Northern Iowa, blew me away. Many people think of being a wedding planner as a glamorous job when actually it is a lot more. From getting a table dropped on her toe early in the day to dealing with worst case scenarios, Kari handled the day with as much grace as an experienced assistant. The day would not have happened as smoothly if it was not for her proactive personality and genuine care for all those she encountered.

The day was beautiful filled with so much joy! The vendors and guests raved about Elizabeth and all her hard work! We couldn't be more proud to have her on our team. 

“Elizabeth was extremely professional, but also extremely friendly. Would recommend her to all of my friends. Elizabeth and the Mostly Becky team were so supportive to not only us, but to our families and friends.

Thanks for an amazing day!”

— Ryan

This day would NOT have happened with out these AMAZING Des Moines area vendors who made the magic happen! 

Flowers: Story City Floral

Photographer: Less Traveled Photography

Catering: Hy-Vee

Rentals: Celebrations

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

Casey & Chris Orlando, Florida

Casey is an old friend of mine. She and I lived together in Florida after college. She is one of the strongest and kindest people I've ever known. She and I had moved away and life seemed to just be going. Then one day, she called "I've met someone." 

Chris and Casey met online. They immediately shared a connection that Casey had never described to me before. '"He loves everything about me." 

I did get the pleasure to be apart of their event both behind the scenes and in front. Casey had originally just asked that I be apart of her wedding day as a bridesmaid. She wanted a simple, family oriented day with just a few loved ones around her. But, after planning out every detail, she had found out that friends who had committed to helping her on the big day dropped the ball. There were tears streaming down her face as she and I sat outside her bachelorette dinner. "What am I going to do?" 

The wedding planner in me set a plan in motion. I asked if she minded that I step up and ensure her day was exactly what she had planned. Right there, we created a plan and a timeline. I cannot imagine what it must have felt like thinking all the hard work you have been planning for may not even happen. 

Well, of course the day was beautiful and smooth! We loved the simplicity of their special day. Because it was filled with just so many answered prayers, tears, and laughter. This day really was her dream come true. 

Take a look at the beautiful Orlando, Florida outdoor wedding. 

Images By: The Way We Were Photography 

Design and Planning By: Mostly Becky Weddings & Events

"Becky is one of my dearest friends! I asked her to be a bridesmaid and she was so much more than that!! She jumped right in and went right into full planner mode when I needed her in an unforeseen circumstance. Everything turned out more beautiful than I could've imagined it! She saw my vision and ran with it in less than a 24 hour notice! Girls with upcoming weddings--you NEED Becky!" - Casey