Venue: The Shore Event Center

Hair: Lacey Homan-Kemp with Rooted Salon

Dress: Zazou’s Bridal

Suit: Men’s Wearhouse

Flowers: Flowers by Melanie

This wedding day has a special place in my heart. Allie & Phil are two incredible human beings that I’m so blessed to have gotten to meet. I know I say all the time what an honor it is to be chosen as someone’s photographer for such an important day, but really, it is!! It’s so, so special.

Christina and I started the day with one of my favorite drives; from Iowa City to northeastern Iowa, and in this case, Bellevue. About halfway there, the flat, stretching fields turn into hilly wonders that make me giggle like a small child. They are impressive and so fun, and so different from the Iowa that I know just a mere two hours away. It almost feels mountainous, and I didn’t even recognize the Mississippi compared to where I grew up in Muscatine.

Even though it forecasted an entirely rainy day, it didn’t rain one drop. It was perfect.

When we got there, Phil explained that he has this dream to be a cowboy. He’s not a cowboy, but he wore the boots and hat and he absolutely rocked it.

As Allie got dressed, it would not have been possible for her mom and best friends to overflow with any more joy and love for her. Her dress was simply perfect for her.

Allie and Phil were incredible to work with. They’re both hilarious, kind, caring, and quirky. It was the first wedding day of 2021 that wasn’t a big rush the whole day through which was so refreshing. They love each other truly, and Phil held back tears each time he saw Allie. So sweet!!!

Like pretty much everything on their wedding day, it was a gorgeous and perfect ceremony. Phil’s sister officiated and Allie’s niece had a bubble wand as she followed her dad and aunt down the aisle. I really loved that part, it made for some really cool shots. They tied the knot, literally, and even though Phil had a first look with Allie earlier in the day, he still had the sweetest reaction to seeing his bride coming down the aisle.

For wedding party photos, we went to the Bellevue State Park. It had these GORGEOUS views of Bellevue and the Mississippi River. The wedding party was so fun and lively.