Breezeway Wedding in Des Moines {Stacy & Kelsey}
“Who proposes at an insurance conference?!?! How can I not marry this woman?” said Stacy, whose Elmo-voice-when-talking-to-the-dog didn’t deter Kelsey. “Kelsey is the coolest person I know.”
Last Saturday, Kelsey & Stacy tied the knot Breezeway art space in Des Moines, Iowa. This was a very special wedding for me, as it was my first same-sex wedding. As art history buffs, we drew inspiration from Arbus, Stieglitz, Leibovitz, Sherman, Richter, and Von Qualen— all famous photographers– and even HBO’s ‘Walking Dead.’
Days before the wedding, Kelsey jumped into the water, leaving her ear plugged. It stayed plugged until the First Look. “I didn’t yawn or do anything, it just released, then I laughed,” she said. “The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. Two of the best feelings in my life (seeing her was the other) right in a row!”
Stacy has always loved the Breezeway, not your typical Des Moines wedding venue. A former art gallery, “It’s a blank canvas, you can do anything there, and it immediately felt right once we saw it. We loved the size, modern look, and location. And it is cool.”
When asked about the highlights of their wedding, they both agreed, “The photo session with our nearly 9 month old dog Alistair. Ali is treat-motivated, a teenager, and picks when to make decisions.”
Guests didn’t come to observe, but participate. The group felt like a community in which each individual felt valued. Stacy’s aunt read a poem by Maya Angelou about how love can set you free. Stacy’s uncle and cousin played an acoustic version of Ivan and Alyosha’s ‘Easy to Love’ while guests lit candles. To celebrate after the kiss, the string quartet played the Guns N’ Roses song ‘Sweet Child O’Mine.’
Guests had were treated to decor and coordination by Maya Boettcher at Plum Event and Design, amazing food by Hal Jasa with inspired foods from the Iowa State Fair. The ceremony space had an open kitchen, which it added to the flair of the evening for guests to watch the food preparations opposite a vinyl DJ Jeffery Eaton who had guests dancing for hours. Days after the wedding, guests still commented: “Did you see the dance off? … Watching Tammy (Stacy’s mom) dance during ‘Stacy’s Mom’ was hilarious! … The photographer did the splits!”
Oh, and the taco truck for late-night munchies: The Bomb!
Be sure to WATCH THE SLIDESHOW HERE and ORDER PRINTS HERE.
Tags: Breezeway Wedding in Des Moines
Pingback: The Fixenguel Fun-Booth - Kern-Photo - Kern-Photo