IOWA MICRO WEDDINGS + ELOPEMENTS
yes you can elope in this midwest state!
Picture this instead ⤵️
- 4/5 course plated custom menu from a private chef
- Your favorite dessert AND your partner's favorite (which you know are not the same thing) both served to you at the same time
- Only your favorite people in attendance (no annoying friends or distance cousins)
- Styled to the nines and pop up in a blink of an eye from an amazing vendor team
Micro weddings can range from 20 - 50 people! These people are your closest family, friends, and humans you hold closest to you.
No unwanted +1s or estranged aunt that you clearly did not invite either.
That's half the fun of a micro wedding or small, intimate wedding, whatever you want to call it.
✨ ooo i love this question ✨
Hey Siri -- define Micro wedding...
A micro wedding is a smaller scaled wedding that is STILL full of luxury aspects. Think full planner, elaborate floral pieces, high end photographer + videographer team, invite suites, venues -- everything, just a small guest list!
what is this? how can i have one?
Define MICRO WEDDING
How Big is a micro wedding?
OH MY QUAD
THIS IS WHAT I WANT
MORE THAN JUST A SMALL GUEST LIST
That’s the point—you deserve a day (or days) crafted around whatever it is that makes you two tick.
My passion is giving you full permission to write your own rules for your wedding + marriage!
SOLD!
i WANT THIS!
- Into wine? Let's go to your favorite little vineyard, with your favorite humans, and really good music.
- Say "I do" in restored old post offices, or little green houses!
- You have access to a piece of land? Let's get you the best planner who can transform it into your backyard wedding dreams! Think full twinkly lights, food trucks, blankets, fire pits, yard games -- ALL OF IT!
- Super into nature like me? Then check out Reiman Gardens on ISU campus! This is a hidden gem in the middle of Iowa that gives you the feel of a huge garden. (But on a small, intimate scale!)
IT'S HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR PARTNER + YOUR VIBES
THIS COULD BE YOU!
HOW TO PUT THIS ALL TOGETHER
ANSWERING THE MOST FAQ HERE!
q: How do you get a marriage license in iowa?
A: I wrote an entire blog post on this here! Otherwise it's a very straight forward process with minimal waiting period, and no blood test required. You can get the waiting period waived from a judge. In Iowa you need two witnesses to sign your license!
q: What permits will I need to elope in Iowa?
A: Depending on if it's private property or a venue you may need to get certain alcohol permits! This is the most common permit needed. Otherwise additional insurance on your policy for the day of, too.
q: What traditions do I need to keep / toss?
A: That is entirely up to you and your partner! This could mean no first look, or getting ready together. At the end of the day as long as your happy that's what matters when it comes to traditions!
q: What if i want a backyard elopement?
A: Backyard elopements are one of my favorite things to do in Iowa!! I have an amazing list of vendors who can help you do a "pop up" event and bring everything to you from toilet trailers, food trucks, and fun decor!
q: Where are you based out of?
A: I live in Cedar Falls, Iowa and travel everywhere! So truly no location is off limits. While there are more venue options closer to Des Moines, we can get creative in any town here in Iowa!!
MICRO WEDDING VENUES in Iowa
these spots are truly magic for hosting your wedding + your guests
There are so many fun places we could use for your micro wedding or elopement venue across the state of Iowa. Make sure you check out my super popular blog post on venues + vendors here!
“Jamie and Mark are weird, but don’t worry, it’s the cool kind of weird. The weird that will make you feel comfortable in any situation. Fair warning, you may fall in love with them.”
“YOU MAY FALL IN
LOVE WITH THEM”
My fiancé and I can’t speak highly enough of Jamie & Mark. So sweet, extremely prompt, and so talented. They went above and beyond, exceeding our expectations. Love Love Love! 😻
“LOVE LOVE LOVE!! 😻”
Being a wedding videographer, Jamie and Mark are the best photographers I have ever had the pleasure of working with. Not only did they make everyone feel very comfortable and at ease, but they were also willing to help me get the shots I needed/wanted!
"BEST PHOTOGRAPHERS I'VE HAD THE PLEASURE WORKING WITH
Great photographers, even better personalities! Love their photography style. Highly recommended for any kind of occasion. They will capture YOU.
Great photographers, even better personalities!
jUST A LITTLE LOVE
What are the pros and cons?
Let's make a PROS + CONS liST SO YOU CAN FIGURE OUT IF A MICRO WEDDING IS FOR YOU!
- Can't invite the entire phone book
- Can't rent out certain venues (They require larger amounts of people)
- Worried you might feel like you "missed out" on the larger event
- Concerned about wearing wedding attire with smaller group
- Unsure how to fill the day (this is where I come in though 😘)
- Can get married in a spot outside of where you normally live and experience a different part of the world
- Less opinions to consider with a smaller guest list
- Can go all out on decor because only 3-5 tables vs 20+ tables
- Less posed photo list combos (smaller guest list)
- Have more time for connection with ALL your guests
- Can spend the day doing more YOU activities and less fluff
- Can still follow certain first look or first dance traditions
These are all REAL fears and concerns of clients when they talk to me about doing a micro wedding. This is what I tell them.. ⤵️
At the end of your wedding day do you want to feel like you stayed authentic to you? Or do you want to feel like you "impressed someone"?
If you just want to impress your peers, then a larger event may be better for you.
Buuuut...
if you crave connection between yourself and your partner (+ family / friends) I think a microwedding is better option for you.
REAL FEARS FROM REAL CLIENTS
DO I NEED A WEDDING PLANNER?
SO YOU CAN REALLY START TO IMAGINE THE FLOW OF YOUR MICRO WEDDING
Check out these planners! They are incredible to work with!
timeline examples
- 10:00 AM - Detail Photos
- 11:00 AM - Prep + Getting Ready
- 1:00 PM - First look
- 1:30 PM - Couple's Portraits
- 2:00 AM - Group Activity
- 3:00 PM - Family
- 4:00 PM - Ceremony
- 5:00 PM - Cocktail Hour
- 5:30 PM - Yard Games
- 6:00 PM - Dinner
- 7:00 PM - Toasts
- 7:30 PM - First Dances
- 7:45 PM - Sunset Portraits
- 8:00 PM - Reception
-----
Coverage ends
- 1:00 PM - First look
- 2:00 PM - Couple's Portraits
- 3:00 PM - Family Portraits
- 4:00 PM - Ceremony
- 5:00 PM - Cocktail Hour
- 6:00 PM - Sunset Portraits
-----
coverage ends
WILD SOCIAL
MICRO WEDDING PLANNER
Wildly Yours Weddings + elopements
The Wedding Trailer
iowa elopement packages
let's dive into my popular photography packages that clients rave about
- Portraits of you + your partner
- Portraits with your friends + family
- Ceremony Coverage
- Planning of timeline / vendor assistance
- Prep Guides
- Travel Included
- Getting Ready
- All the little details from invites, to attire
- Portraits of you + your partner
- Portraits with your friends + family + wedding party
- Ceremony Coverage
- Cocktail hour
- Reception Coverage
- Sunset Portraits
- Night time party flash photos
- Candids of your guests
- Prep Guides
- Planning of timeline / vendor assistance
- Travel Included
HALF DAY COVERAGE -- Starting at $4500
FULL DAY COVERAGE -- Starting at $6000
CUSTOM PACKAGES
+ add ons
Not sure you fit in either of those boxes? Let's jump on a call and figure out exactly what you're dreaming of and we will do this together.
contact me!
My Vibe and Philosophy
So you know what you’re getting into
How I Photograph → I approach each session with a movie mindset. Meaning that I ask myself, “If this were a movie, how would this play out? How can I tell the entire story of their love from hand gestures and hugs to belly laughs and playful banter?” With that in mind, I make sure to always be the one moving and finding the right angles and lighting so that you can simply BE.
How I Edit → My images are inspired by film photography, so they’re always true-to-life skin tones with a subtle touch of warmth. And I’ll never morph your body or change the way you look. I’m all about highlighting what makes you YOU and keeping it natural (but elevated).
YOUR NEXT STEP:
CONTACT ME BELOW
bECAUSE i CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR ALL ABOUT YOUR MICRO WEDDING PLANS!
IOWA ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER | Iowa Microwedding photographer
