Emma + Brayden | A Summer Wedding in DeWitt, Iowa
Emma and Brayden's wedding was one of those classic summer wedding days in small-town Iowa: bright sunshine, a whole lot of heat, family and friends gathered together, and a celebration that took us from DeWitt to Calamus.
We started the day at Grace Lutheran Bible Camp, where everyone got ready at the Andrew Retreat Center before heading into portraits. Emma and Brayden chose to do a first look, which gave us plenty of time before the ceremony to photograph the two of them along with their wedding party and family.
Grace Camp already held some history for these two before it became the place where they would get married. Brayden proposed to Emma by the pond, so of course we had to head back to that same spot for a few wedding-day portraits. I love that they'll now have photos there from two pretty important days in their story.
Their ceremony took place outside at Grace Camp with their family and friends gathered around them. Emma's uncle Eric officiated, her dad walked her down the aisle, and before long, Emma and Brayden were officially husband and wife.
And despite just how HOT the day was, we had plenty of sunshine to work with for portraits. Everyone powered through the heat, and you would never know from the photos just how warm it actually felt outside.
From there, the celebration moved to CALCO in Calamus for the reception. Guests settled in for dinner, toasts, cake, first dances, parent dances, and all the traditional reception moments that make a wedding day feel complete.
One thing I really enjoyed about Emma and Brayden's wedding was how much it felt like a hometown celebration. Their day wasn't about trying to make every moment elaborate or over-the-top. It was about getting married, bringing their people together, and celebrating this next chapter of their lives.
And sometimes that's exactly what a wedding should be.
Emma and Brayden, congratulations! I'm so glad I got to spend the day with you and document all of these memories. It feels especially fitting that the place where one chapter began with a proposal is now also the place where you officially became husband and wife.
Wedding Vendors
Ceremony: Grace Lutheran Bible Camp | DeWitt, Iowa
Reception: CALCO | Calamus, Iowa
Officiant: Eric Colburn
Photographer: Artsmith Photography
Florals: Tiffeny Deerberg
Catering: Raising Cane's
Cake: Costco
DJ: Gr8Dane Music Entertainment
Hair: Mallory Shaw
Makeup: Jenna Thompson
Rentals: Rolling Hills Rentals
Bride's Dress: A Storybook Ending Bridal Salon
Menswear: A Storybook Ending Bridal Salon
Bridesmaid Dresses: Azazie
Rings: Necker's Jewelers