The Midwest provides many choices for wedding vendors. So many that I decided to focus on just one State – Iowa. Iowa is also my choice because it is my home state and I know the wedding vendors here the best. The vendors I’ve chosen to feature are all vendors that I have worked with in person or as a vendor at wedding shows in Iowa. The information that follows is compiled from my favorite vendors and is representative of what fabulous resources Iowa has to offer to couples planning their weddings in Iowa.
BRIDAL SHOP
Let’s start with my favorite wedding items wedding gowns, veils, and accessories. With so many choices for Bridal Shops in Iowa, there’s one that stands out above the rest – Mara Brides.
Mara Brides -Iowa’s modern bridal store
Photo credit | Mary Steere Photography
Florist | Event Floral
Dress | Mara
Fabulous Wedding Gown from Mara Brides
From Mara Brides website: ” Find exclusive wedding gowns, bridesmaids’ dresses, tuxedos, and all other wedding-related attire at Iowa’s newest bridal store, Mara. Mara is a beautiful, modern boutique nestled in a 150-year-old home filled with fresh styles, and trends you might not be used to seeing in Northeast Iowa. Brides from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri, Iowa and more have said yes to their wedding dress at Mara, and we know you will too. We are so excited to help you find your bridal gown, and can’t wait to help you style your wedding!” We aim to make wedding gown shopping relaxing, exciting and memorable. Gather your girls, schedule your appointment, and get ready to fall in love with your wedding dress.
Contact Mara:
500 Kelly Street
Charles City, Iowa 50616 | (641) 228-3301 | marabrides.com | Instagram @ #marabrides
EVENT RENTAL COMPANY
Resource Vintage Rental
Resource Vintage Rental is a boutique event rental company based in La Crosse, Wisconsin. They offer inspired event rental and custom props with popular delivery and retrieval services. They frequently work in Rochester, MN, Northeast Iowa, and surrounding tri-state communities.
The About section from their Facebook page gives all the details about their business:
• Inspiring event rental for your special occasion. Delivery/Retrieval. Inventory at www.ResourceVintageRental.com
• Here’s a list of items available to rent: Harvest tables, Bar Sets, Wooden Chairs, Vintage China, Chandeliers, Upholstered furniture, … Affordable seating, chinaware, tableware, decor, and props to use in your inspired event. Specializing in weddings, special events, photographic props, and dinner parties.
• Inventory showing available by appointment. Just call or text 563.203.7505.
• We deliver and retrieve items in the tri-state area; contact us for a mileage quote.
Contact Resource Vintage Rental: 608-799-0095 | info@resourcevintagerental.com |Instagram @ #resourcevintagerental
FLORIST
Ladybug Landscape & Decorah Floral
Photo by Nick Chill
Anita Weis, the florist at Decorah Floral, is my choice for florists for weddings. Her talents are many and especially for flexibility, creativity, and style. She is so fabulous to work with and gives the backstory on every flower in her Shop. An example of her design work, for our daughter’s wedding, we were looking for cedar greenery. Not only did she have cedar greenery, but she also found several other types of cedar for the mix of cultures represented at the wedding. The Holy Cedar tree is the national tree of Lebanon, our new son-in-law’s home country, and also, cedar trees hold a special memory for our family. Cedar trees were part of our family Christmas tradition when we lived on a farm when our daughter was little.
• Contact Anita at ladybugdecorah@live.com.
|563-387-0217 | Instagram #ladybuglandscapes
PHOTOGRAPHER
Nick Chill Wedding Photography
Nick and Rachael are a husband and wife photography team based out of Decorah. Nick is our family photographer. I especially love this line from their website “When the cake is long gone and the dress is packed away, your photos will be the one lasting symbol of your big day.”
Contact Nick @ 563-277-7127 |www.nickchill.com|#nickchill_wedding
VENUE x 2
The Old Stone Church
Contact Immanuel Luthern Church in Cresco, to reserve this venue. 305 2nd Avenue W, Cresco, IA 52136-1205 (563) 547-210
The Inwood Ballroom & Riverside Park at Spillville
This historic vintage ballroom sits on the banks of the Turkey River in Riverside Park in Spillville, Iowa. In addition to the vintage flair of this ballroom, there are many features available for couples to plan the wedding of their dreams:
This ballroom features:
- stunning ten-sided maple dance floor,
- two fireplaces
- lattice ceilings
- 50-foot bar
- kitchen
- handicap accessibility
Riverside Park has many amenities to add a Glamping adventure for your guests. Check these out:
- campground with electrical hook-ups and dump station (no reservations – register when you arrive)
- showers
- playground
- lighted ball diamond
- Horseshoe pits
- frisbee golf,
- picnic shelters
- the Antonin Dvorak memorial
Contact:
Inwood Ballroom & Riverside Park, 116 Bridge St., Spillville, IA. |563-534-7158 wan220.wixsite.com/inwoodballroom
DAY OF WEDDING DOG HANDLER
Ashten Leinhard from Driftless Paws LLC. would love to help you plan your wedding service to include your dogs. Her service is new to our area and includes:
• transportation for your dog(s) to and from your wedding (she is insured for this service)
• a 2 person team, 1 person at the top of the aisle and 1 person at the beginning of the aisle
• free treats planned with owners
• And she even has attire for your dog(s)available for an additional price.
Contact Ashten Driftless Paws LLC. |driftlesspawsllc.iowa@gmail.com |563-419-7329 | #driftlesspaws
I hope this list of my favorite vendors helps with your planning process. The most important thing we share with our Brides is this: It’s always your love story, your wedding day, your way. It should be a reflection of both of your personalities that go into your dream wedding. And if you need a couture or custom veil or accessory, contact me!
