Iowa-Des Moines — The Knot Community

Ceremony Check

hsbstone — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 22:06:23 +0000

Church and officiant - check!!
I was very afraid that I could not find one to perform a Christian ceremony like we want, but thanks Jesus, he called me today and we made the final arrangements.
Now I just have to look for a Wedding planner to make sure things will be done like we envisioned in the reception and in the ceremony as well.

Opinions on Shaeffers Bridal

mlharrison23 — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 02:49:24 +0000

I am interested in a couple dresses at Shaeffers but wondered what everyones experiences was with them and alterations there. They told me that I should buy the size 10 sample dress because that would be cheaper to get it altered than to buy a new one in my own size because I "might have to get it altered anyways." I would need a size 2 in a dress. Does this make sense to anyone? Alterations seem really expensive but then again I don't know the average cost. Did anyone have problems once you bought the dress? Just any opinions or reviews would help me out alot. Thanks.

Need help with ceremony ideas

mlharrison23 — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 20:35:32 +0000

Ok, I kind of did things the opposite way and it has bit me in the butt. I booked my reception site before my ceremony site and I can not get into my reception, The Botanical Dome, until 6pm. I wanted a catholic church wedding but the wedding would have to be early because of Sat night mass at churches. That would leave everyone stuck waiting around for about 3hours and I won't do that to them. Does anyone know of a Catholic church that would allow later weddings or is this not possible, and if not can I get some ideas on a ceremony site that allows around 230 people and is indoors and somewhat affordable? Thanks a ton for any advice!!!!!!

Wednesday Work-OUT (Not what you think!!)

medusia00 — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 13:09:30 +0000

It's Wednesday, half way through the work week. So I thought it'd be nice to take a little break from work/school/childcare/whatever you don't want to do, and have a little poll. Just for the fun of it!

Because it's the Holiday Season lets start our Wednesday Work-OUT with that!!

Do you have a schedule for your holiday plans(1day with FIL, 1 day with your family)?

Because we're getting married are you getting your FI something special this year for the holidays?

Do you plan on getting anyone in your BP a gift, it doesn't have to be just because they are in the BP.

What is your favorite thing about this time of year?

Alright have fun ladies, and if you have questions you want to add, but them at the end of your posts in Bold and Underline so we can see them!!

Ceremony Location Help!

EllenG27 — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 14:31:16 +0000

I need help ladies!!! Instead of googling for hours on end, I figured I'd come here - to the best Knot Board!!

So we just booked the Renaissance Savery for our wedding reception!
However, we haven't found a ceremony site yet! I really like the Raccoon River Nature Lodge (have posted about it before), however it does cost $900 to rent it and a cleaning fee of $150 so a total of $1050 to rent it, which my fiance isn't thrilled about.

What we are looking for - I'm fine with a church, it's just that we don't belong to one and parents don't either; not very religious so that's why I was trying to find a non-church; we need it to accomodate around 150 people; I don't want to be outside becuase I just don't want to have to worry about the weather.
Oh - Date is September 3, 2011
ANY IDEAS LADIES?! THANKS!

Just started Planning-want to get a head start on things

kadiejury — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 19:51:32 +0000

I am getting married next Nov and I am trying to get things booked in advanced so that way I can just focus on the things that don't require a booking. I am looking for a DJ and a photographer that will travel to Ankeny and won't cost me an arm and a leg and is good at what they do? Do you girls have any suggestions?

Transportation/rehearsal dinner question

ebie614 — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 01:34:56 +0000

Hi all--

We're getting married in Ames next spring and are having a hard time finding a place to have a rehearsal dinner. Do you guys know of a good spot that would fit 30-40 people and be reasonably priced? Also, we're looking for a party bus that's nice but cheap. Know of any?

We're planning from a distance and neither of us are from Ames, so these details are particularly hard!

Thanks,
Cate

How much?

jesscmpls — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 19:32:03 +0000

How much have you budgeted for your wedding? I'm doing some configuring and i think the total cost of our wedding is going to be around $8-9k. Way better than i thought it would be. What am i missing?

Weekend Wrap-Up (Come on in!!!)

medusia00 — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 02:52:34 +0000

Hey Ladies!

I thought it'd be nice to do a Weekend Wrap-up on Sunday nights, or answer on Monday Mornings.
We can talk, wedding related happenings over the weekend, or non-wedding related happenings!!
It's up to you!!

So here we go!!

What did you do this weekend?!

Live band ideas?

[Deleted User] — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 02:09:18 +0000

Hi ladies! I'd love to have a live band at our reception instead of a DJ. Maybe a cover band or really anything upbeat and fun. I'm having a terrible time finding any....don't know where to even begin. Any ideas??

Bridesmaid and photographer, check

hsbstone — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 06:04:02 +0000

This last week I got the photographer I wanted, and today I had a great time with my friends and now bridesmaids as well. We went to the Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens in DC for a tea where I handed to them a personalized invitation. They loved and all said yes.
I am as content as I can be during this time of the year after what happened to my son. It is so emotionally confusing because it was supposed to be an exciting time for me, but it's very bitter sweet - more one than another - and it is so hard to move on with life and wedding planning while I am still in a grief process for my son loss. But God, good friends, family and FI are supporting me a lot and bringing me some hope that I will overcome this pain one day. And is still amazing how much I love him more and more every day!

ROLL CALL!!

hawkeyes00 — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 19:12:28 +0000

Hi Ladies - It's been a while since we've had a roll call on this board! So i thought it was time to see who's around and here for each other!

So - who are you, when are you getting married, where are you getting married, and what are you working on right now for wedding planning???

My Answers:

1) I'm Katie - Hi ladies!!

2) We're getting married NYE this year!

3) Our ceremony is at St. Boniface and reception at Zart 1312

4) We're working on getting the invitations ready to mail Oct. 18th and working on decorations for the reception!

DJ in dm area

abauer0145 — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 15:19:38 +0000

Hi my name is Amy and I'm looking to find a GREAT DJ in the Des Moines area. I want someone who has a variety of songs and can keep the party going. Also I want someone who has up to date music for a younger crowd such as hip hop music. I would like to hear feedback, good or bad on who to use or not to use...thanks!!

DJ/RENTING DJ EQUIPMENT

LRPJ — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 19:32:19 +0000

Would anyone recommend a DJ in the Des Moines metro area?

We are looking for one for our fall wedding in 2011. OTHERWISE, we have a friend who works for a DJ company who offered to DJ for us, pending we can rent DJ equipment (lights/speakers).

Anyone know of a place that does this? I have no clue!

Thanks :-)

Any Friday night weddings?

mlharrison23 — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 16:00:59 +0000

I was wondering if anyone has or will be getting married on a Friday night? My wedding date is set on a sat in oct. but because we want to have a Catholic wedding we would only be able to get married at 1:30 at the latest on a Saturday and wouldn't get into our reception until 6pm so we are thinking of changing to Friday night to have a 6:00 wedding. Is this a good idea? Do people give you a hard time about Friday nights because of work? Please let me know. Thank You.

Cupcakes

vmmom — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 13:12:00 +0000

We are having a destination wedding and a party when we return to celebrate with local friends. Rather than a traditional wedding cake, we are thinking about cupcakes on a tiered stand. Does anyone have recommendations for a bakery to do this?

Forte Coupon still up for grabs

MaggieandJake — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 03:58:53 +0000

I still have a 20% off your reception coupon for Forte downtown Des Moines (also known as All Play). It must be redeemed by the end of the month. First person to respond get it.

Gifts?

jesscmpls — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 01:32:33 +0000

hmmm...Do the bride and groom get eachother a gift on their wedding day?
This is something i've seen done before on (My big redneck wedding) I MISS THAT SHOW! soooo much! I digress,If i were to do this, I feel that I would want it to be a big gift. What do you think?

Photo Booths

mlharrison23 — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 00:43:13 +0000

Has anyone been to weddings with photo booths? It sounds like a ton of fun!!!! It is pretty pricey though so I wanted some reviews on some places before I hand over that much cash. I am saving a bunch of money on a photographer so I am trying to justify it. Most booths are pricing around $1,000. Maybe that doesn't seem like alot to some people but I like to get reviews before I spend that much. Thanks!

David's Bridal

jesst32 — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 01:37:05 +0000

So I've heard good and bad things about DB. I know that each store is different and I recently found THE dress there. I'm worried about purchasing it with them because I don't want something to go wrong. Has anyone had any experiences with the DB in Clive or Cedar Rapids? TIA

Fish Centerpieces?

Mcsweets — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 19:26:30 +0000

We are wanting to do goldfish or betta fish in our centerpieces. We found drops to put in the water so the fish don't get stressed out. We thought we could give them to kids afterwards or just take them home for ourselves. I have read that sometimes people think this is rude because they feel "obligated" to let their kids take one.

Opinions?

Liquid Digital Entertainment

Bridetobeme30 — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 14:31:51 +0000

Anyone familiar with these guys? I'd love to hear comments--good or bad! Thanks!

Darn it!

jesscmpls — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 18:18:56 +0000

So, we decided to change our venue from his familie's farm to Seven oaks. Someone had tentatively booked that venue for our day. We were hoping that they would back out, they didn't. So, we could change our day to one day earlier and that would be a Friday, it's just another day. I guess i'm just upset because we were going to be getting married on our 6 1/2 year anniversary. Oh well, I guess everything happens for a reason.
End vent.

Moonwell Photography?

Mcsweets — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 16:42:57 +0000

Has anyone used Moonwell Photography? I absolutely love his pictures and his prices aren't bad. I just wondered if anyone has talked to him or known anyone who used their company.

Thanks!

centerpieces

chrissab — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 18:19:43 +0000

Hi!
For our centerpieces I'm thinking of doing three ivory candles of different heights and then wrapping either rhinestone or purple ribbon around them and purple flower petals around them on the table. My mom saw this idea on TV somewhere. The only problem is I don't know where to find affordable candles or rhinestone ribbon! Any website ideas? Thanks!

to and from transportation

hawkeyes00 — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 22:13:05 +0000

Hello ladies - i'm looking for somebody to shuttle people from our hotel to our ceremony then from our ceremony to our reception. Any ideas on people who do this???

THANKS!!!

Wedding Date List

medusia00 — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 06:39:22 +0000

I thought it would be nice to have a list of all of our weddings.

If your name is not on the list yet please PM me and I will add it. Also if you do not want your name on your date PM me and I will remove it.
***To PM me, on the left side of the screen under the different boards there is Private Message. Type in my Screen name and send away! Or at the bottom of this post is a link that says Private Message. :)

March 2011

April 2011
Saraann62 April 30th (Sara)
Soon2BeMrsFink April 30th (Melanie)

May 2011
ebagnall May 28th

June 2011
Jordgirl99 June 11th (Tracy)
Mgrotluschen June 11th
MaggieandJake June 25th (Maggie)

July 2011
Hsbstone July 2nd (Helena)
Chrissab July 2nd (Chrissa)

August 2011
FireFlyrebirth August 13th (Beth)
Melis&Aaron August 13th (Melissa)

September 2011
EllenG27 September 3rd (Ellen)
Laffoon636 September 10th
Medusia00 September 10th (Katie)
milesbella September 17 (Karen)
jesscmpls September 23
Ragsdalejennifer September 24th

October 2011
ToBeMrs2011 October 8th (Alison)
Mcsweets October 8th

llucas45 October 8th

Mlharris23 October 15th (Megan)

November 2011
kadiejury November 5th

December 2011

January 2012

February 2012

March 2012
Kholee13 March 31st

April 2012

May 2012

June 2012
mmmaves June 2nd(Megan)
ammbcince June 23rd
July 2012

August 2012
jodiemariecooksley August 8th (Jodie)

September 2012
Mandalynn9112 September 1st

October 2012

November 2012

December 2012

Lets get it going!!

medusia00 — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 19:30:10 +0000

Hey Ladies!! We all love the knot and know what a great resource it can be! So I was thinking we should get a little more life to this board!

So let start with a little get to know you poll!!

1. Your Name & FI Name(Only if you want)
2. Wedding Date
3. Location, be specific or not! Your choice!
4. Wedding Colors or Theme
5. What you want the feel of your wedding to be

I hope this can get the board moving, I love to see all the questions and responses back, but it'd be nice to see conversations just because!!

Anyone going to the Bridal Boutique's Sample Sale on Black Friday?

EllenG27 — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 23:57:22 +0000

I plan to go to the Bridal Boutique's Sample Sale tomorrow! I wasn't planning on shopping so early for a dress - considering we haven't totally settled on a date because we haven't settled on venues. But their sale sounded too good to pass up. I'm hoping it's not too crazy and busy! I want a good sale but I don't want the craziness!!

Are you?!

medusia00 — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 16:59:56 +0000

Doing anything special for Thanksgiving?!