Need a venue in the heart of Iowa that can host getting ready to the party? Check out Ashton Hill Farm! It’s white + black and has a backyard perfect for photos.
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Hello Humans!
Tim + Kathryn’s Wedding day was on a beautiful, sunny & 85 degree Friday! We met with them that morning around 11 am, rolling in a little earlier than the timeline to be able to check out the venue. It was my second time coming to Ashton Hill Farm and I get new ideas every time I see a bride decorate it differently!
We immediately said hi to everyone, grabbed a few hugs, and then rummaged together all of our bride + groom’s details to be photographed. Now, we are huge believers that you two make the wedding day and it is about the love you two share, the details just add to your story and when an album is included in your wedding package grabbing these little details that you spent time putting together thickens your album to show exactly how your day was planned and executed!
Kathryn’s details were a mix of golds, and warm tones to really bring out this modern goddess feel! She wore an arm piece, and belt on her Hayley Paige dress. Her shoes, custom – and gorgeous! Then her Tom’s for dancing the night away!
High heels make your legs look fantastic, but lets be real – everyone loves a goof comfy flat to dance in!
Don’t forget Tim! His tight + pocket square were in a deep burgundy shade, and the Pokemon socks all around in the bridal party! Also, Pokemon hits home for us 90’s babies and our three cats (Pichu, Pikachu, and Raichu) so you’ll have Mark for sure involved.
This dress.. This designer.. I am a huge, HUGE fan of Hayley Paige. She may have commented on my instagram post and I am still fan girling because I am the girl that dreams of dresses, and looking like a damn queen! I think this was the perfect dress choice for Kathryn, it’s playful, loud, and makes a “I’m here!” statement! Much like my sweet+sassy bride, Kathryn.
Her flower girls, absolutely adorable, can you sing “No more monkeys jumping on the bed” with me while I photographed these silly girls?
BIG TIP: Groomsman usually ask us what do we do while we wait for the ceremony / photos to begin?
Answer: Board games, cards, Movie / TV, Go out for breakfast (As long as you’re back in time, always check with photographer for the schedule) Yard games, bring a flask for * light * drinking before the ceremony, Just hang out with your friends, XBox / Playstation
As Jamie says, “Do man stuff” 😉
For the first look we swapped the bride for our adorable twin flower girls, they were so cute and as they told Jamie, “It’s our secret mission to sneak up on Tim”
Capturing these little moments is what gives us joy, because some day maybe they will recreate this photo when they’re brides! And hopefully we will be there for that, too 😉
Bride + Groom portraits, what can I say – we want you to look back on your wedding day 10 – 20 -50 years from now and remember holding each other, making each other laugh, and your vows to one another.
Bridal party – these people are the people that will drop everything for you! That’s the way it should be in your tribe, you all support each other and lean on each other.
Family- The blood, the bones, the chosen family. It doesn’t matter if you’re technically related or chose them to be your family, all that matters is that they are there for you 100%!
During their ceremony they had their pups (Piper + Bella) as the “Best Dog” & “Dog of Honor” I LOVE IT. I am a huge animal lover, and make sure to look at the cookies + cake topper from the reception.
Also, Tim’s vow, “I vow to to say yes to more dogs, and no to more cats” I giggled (but the cat mom in me is like heeeeey now!) But these two have raised two very smiley doggos! Plus when the weather is nice, outdoor ceremony it up!!
We snuck away to the bridal suit that Ashton Hill Farm has in the upstairs loft after the ceremony, grabbed a beer, some candids with the dogs and just took a moment to let the day settle in.
When it was time to be announced into the reception, the bridal party ascended down the double stair case, some did something crazy at the top of the landing, others at the bottom – but plenty of cheers to be heard from the front to the back of the venue.
Dinner was PIZZA!! Yes! They rolled up with a brick oven and everything and kept them coming in hot! Snuck a few of the cheese + spinach (least I think it was spinach either way it was yummmmmay) and M&M’s and took a break on the patio!
When our bride + groom finished their pizza we snuck them out for a quick 5-7 minutes of sunset photos before the sun disappeared behind the tree line. I don’t want to pressure our couples for sunset photos but the reason I beg to do it is because your guests are occupied with food and mingling, and you guys deserve a moment alone after the ceremony to remember you just signed your marriage license! You’re married!! YOU DID IT! Take a minute to be with each other and kiss and hug and shout! Plus, these images always end up being our couples favorites because the golden light, the happiness, and the nervous jitters are long gone.
Their first dance song- Mario Kart Love Song !!
We stayed and partied a little bit with everyone at the reception, they had s’mores on the patio, dueling pianos, and beer+wine to be shared! Plus I’ve found we have made such great friends with no only Kathryn + Tim but their close friends (Also, one of our other couples Taylor + Jhorel!) I love when I can expand my tribe into our client’s lives. Plus Mark likes to try to teach me to dance and swings me around a couple songs at every wedding.
We can’t wait to work with these guys more as their love story continues!
Love,
Jamie + Mark
Vendor Love:
Photographer: Jamie + Mark, Jamie Tobin Photography
Food/Catering: Maggie’s Farm Wood Fired Pizza
Flowers: Pine and Petal Weddings
Makeup: Eden Salon and Spa, Kalona Iowa
Hair: Eden Salon and Spa, Kalona Iowa
Ring: Lauren B Jewelry
Dress: Mimi’s Bridal Ann Arbor Michigan (Hayley Paige designer)
Bridesmaids / Flower Girls: David’s Bridal
Tux: Holley’s Formal Wear in Cedar Rapids
Cake/Dessert: Take the Cake Dessert in Cedar Rapids
Venue: Ashton Hill Farm
Ceremony: Ashton Hill Farm
Music: Felix and Fingers (Mike Sherman)
Videographer: UV Films (Carl Busch and Nick)
