Iowa-Des Moines — The Knot Community

It's been a while!! - Shower Locations?

mom2one14 — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 19:25:21 +0000

Hey ladies! I got married in October of last year and haven't been back to post on the boards much, but I hope everyone's wedding planning is going great!

My sister is getting married in June and I am currently trying to find somewhere in DSM/Ankeny area where I can host her shower at. We are planning for around 30 people, and I would prefer somewhere that would let me bring in my own food and cake. Hopefully under $100 to rent?? I'd be open to outdoor places, but would like a shelter and/or rain backup in case of bad weather. Oh, and it's a Breakfast at Tiffany's theme if that helps with any ideas.

Thanks so much ladies!

No Singers????

tdibble — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 01:49:01 +0000

So I don't really know anyone that can sing at our wedding, nor do I want to hire some random person I don't know. Any ideas of some kind of entertainment at the ceremony instead of having a soloist? A friend told me she had her guests all sing church hymns in place of having a singer. Is that a good idea? What would the wedding party do up front while everyone is singing? Just stand there?

Is anyone else having this problem??? Any ideas would be appreciated!!

Grooms mother!!!!!

Nikkimarie0809 — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:27:05 +0000

Hey ladies
Im about to flip out my guys mother is trying to get out of paying for anything What do i do??? I have talked to him about it but when he talks to her about it she is always saying " i will see what i can do"

Any Ideas are greatly needed

Scarletgem

Lil Lar — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:31:16 +0000

I hope you're still on here because I have a question for you :)

Who did you order your chairs from for the rose garden?? And when did you order them..can I wait until June when the RSVP's are due and still rent them for July or do they need to be rented sooner? TIA

WDM/Downtown DSM Reception Locations

lizroling — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:34:37 +0000

Hey everyone, I'm quickly realizing that the reception location is a stressful detail to figure out. There are tons of options for reception locations, but I want to hear from people about their own experiences, and I need some advice!

I'm looking for a venue that has a wedding planner, which will eliminate us having to decorate the venue. (I don't want to have to hire a wedding planner, I just want one that comes with my package).

I'm also wondering...there are some places, such as Glen Oaks Country Club that you don't have to pay to use the space, you just have to pay a certain amount for food (like $1500). So I feel like a place such as Glen Oaks might be cheaper because you don't have to pay to rent the space, you're only paying for the food.

Does anyone have suggestions on where I should be looking???

Memorials for loved ones?

harpjen — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 23:42:44 +0000

What are people doing for a memorial for loved ones who have passed? Both my FI and I have grandparents who have moved on to their next life and would like to something in memory of them at our wedding. We have thought about a special bouquet of flowers or a candle. Suggestions? What have you done or plan to do?

Any suggestions on a officiant?

racket_rose — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 04:09:30 +0000

Hi,

I am kind of new to this but I'm going to get it a shot.

We are trying to find someone to do our wedding. We would like to keep it simple and short. We're looking at a non-denominational/religious based wedding because I'm Lutheran and he is Mennonite.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks

Last few things---advice??

EJPint — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 11:44:08 +0000

Wow, I haven't been on for a while, but this board is slow! Hopefully I can get a few suggestions...

We still need a cake. I've seen a few ideas - anyone have something that just blew them away?

Also need shoes - any suggestions for great bargains, websites, etc.?

FInally, we need transportation. I'm really hoping to rent a cool old car, classic convertible, etc. but have no idea where to begin.

TIA - hope everyone is staying warm!

Tuxes

jacobe — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 17:32:32 +0000

We are getting married June 5......does anyone know when we need to order tuxes by?? Is it something that I can wait a little longer for?

Seamstress recommendations

MrsK_7710 — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 15:11:32 +0000

Can anyone recommend a seamstress for my wedding dress? I purchased it online (at HALF the price as the bridal store!! YAY) but need someone who knows what they are doing in wedding gown alterations. Willing to travel if they are really great!

Thanks girls!

DJ

bassclrnt2004 — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:17:53 +0000

Anyone know of DJs that are willing to service Carroll, IA?

Cake Stands

jessymarie_19 — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 03:16:56 +0000

I'm having 6" cakes as centerpieces at my wedding for up to 400 guests which equals 40 tables/40 cakes/40 cakestands/a LOT of money..SO, I'm making my cakestands...does anybody have suggestions/tips on what I need to do?!

tables vs. lawnchairs

farmgirl8806 — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:34:33 +0000

So my FI, and I have been trying to decide between having tables and chairs at the reception or lawnchairs and a few picnic tables. Guests are already to come dressed casual; only siblings, parents, grandparents, and the MOH and BM will be at the ceremony in the yard. FYI, I tend to over think thins, which is part of the reason why this is so difficult for me.

Lawnchairs and picnic tables: Guests would bring their own lawnchairs and the picnic tables would be for those that forget, can't bring, or don't have lawnchairs. We would have some games outside the barn (reception area) for guests to play and still have a DJ in the barn. We would really want a fun, casual, atmosphere. Something in my gut keeps telling me to go with this, but I can't decide for sure myself (it's a very weird feeling and hard to explain). There would be less to decorate, so I wouldn't miss out on quite as much decorating. I will be student teaching at the time, so I will be unable to help decorate much.

Tables and chairs: There would be tables and chair for all guests (or almost all of them). This would be a little more formal, so I would insist that the the tables look nice (not elegant though). Also, I don't think games outside would be appropriate then.

Maybe there's a way to combine the tables and chairs with the picnic tables without it looking tacky, but I'm not sure how to make it work. Any ideas/suggestions? Has anybody been to a wedding reception where they haven't had the formal tables and chairs? If so, how did the couple pull it off?

June 5th Ladies!

isufans4ever — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:51:49 +0000

I know there are a few of us on here!
4 months left!
I am getting so excited yet freaking out about my "to-do" list
What is everyone working on?
What do you have left?

Cupcakes

aasimmons — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:40:53 +0000

I wanted to have flower centerpieces on each table during the reception but I also wanted cupcakes for the guests' dessert. I have seen cupcake stands but i didn't want those on everytable nor did i want everyone having to get up to get a cupcake from one large cupcake tower. I saw this idea online and wanted some opinions. It looks like a floral arrangement but made of cupcakes! Does this seem too tacky or cheap? Its super easy to make (thats what they say online anyway) plus its inexpensive. If i were to do it I would use light pale cream and pink colors instead to match my wedding.

Groomsman dillema

farmgirl8806 — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:01:06 +0000

Question has been answered. Thank you.

Bridal shower dilemma

racket_rose — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:45:45 +0000

My step mother wants to throw my a bridal shower and asked for me to give her a list of people I want to be there. My family has had trouble getting along in the past and I really dont want to make people feel uncomfortable. I thought about have two separate showers ve the(one for my father/step mother's side and one for my mother's side) but I still ha problem of people in my father's side not talking to each other for a few years. Do I have them invited any ways?

Boudoir Photos for Grooms Gift

Flutterbye88 — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:17:29 +0000

has anyone done boudoir photos for a grooms gift or for their hubby in general? i keep hearing about how trendy it is but i personally don't know anyone who has done it.
i found a photographer in des moines (im in ames) on the local vendors page here and the photos are like victoria secret quality, but the prices are too.. at least for the package i want, haha. i mean, its exactly what i want and the quality is great and if i do it i want to look good, not have a friend come over and snap some shots. i want to go all out, but i guess im just nervous.

they also offer boudoir bachelor parties so i could bring my friends and rather than going out we could all get sexy photos and i like that idea too.

has anyone done a boudoir party or boudoir photos for your hubby in general? do you have any tips/advice/experiences to share? did your hubby like the photos? did you have to know how to pose?

here's who i want to go to www.heycupcakephotography.com
shes under the wedding photography vendors on this site for des moines too.

Vote for us, please

LainersC — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:06:12 +0000

Please help us get a chance to turn our DIY/budget wedding into the wedding of our dreams! Go to http://www.ultimateweddingcontest.com/entries/21252 click vote for this entry, sign up, verify your e-mail, and go back to our link to make sure your vote went through. It seems like a lot to do, but it would mean so much to us! Good luck to anyone else that may be trying for this!!

DM-Transportation

laurabild — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:05:27 +0000

Who are you using for transportation? Have you heard good things about limo/bus places? What are your recommendations?

Are you registered or did you register at Walmart?

Knot Annie — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:25:39 +0000

Looking for couples who have registered at Wal-Mart. We want to know which best describes you as a couple:

Hospitable Hosts
Decorating Duo
Backyard Entertainers
Gametime Gamers
Outdoor Adventurers

Email your answer to mweber@theknot.com for fun magazine opportunities!

Ames ladies- recap

mlkjas — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 01:55:17 +0000

So I went to Studio 7 today to get my hair colored and cut. I asked for Megan....tdibble suggested her. She was great!!! Color looks amazing and she did a great job styling. I liked Megan so much I ened up booking appts for our June wedding. Thanks tdibble!!!

Where to have our wedding??

suamor — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 05:15:36 +0000

We're thinking about getting married in late march or early april 2011. So I'm just starting my planning and there one big thing I can't seem to decide on. We don't know what city/town to get married in. Most of my family lives in or around williamsburg, ia (about 20 miles west of Iowa City) But fi and i met in ames while both attending ISU. We are currently living in ames, but will likely be moving this summer after fi graduates. I don't know where we will be going because it will depend on where fi can find a job. I would rather get married in ames because I am here now and we have more of a connection to the town. But if we move away from iowa it would be nice to have family that could help me finish planning, therefore would be better if we got married in iowa city or cedar rapids. Also it would be easier for my grandpa to attend if he didn't have to travel very far. I've also thought about des moines because its closer to them but still easy for me to start planning from ames. I'm probably overthinking this...

a

aasimmons — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:56:05 +0000

Name Changes

sfrye1983 — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 21:10:29 +0000

My soon to be husband is adopted and doesn't get along with his parents at all. His parents do not want to be involved or even coem to the wedding....I don't want to take the last name of a family that hates me and doesn't want anything to do with either of us. I am trying to talk my fiance in to taking my last name. My family is loving and close and have taken him in as one of us. I just want to know what everyone else thinks??? Would you take his name?

Rehearsal Dinner Ideas--DM

KatieP2 — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 20:34:28 +0000

Hello!

My fiance and I are stuck! We are having a hard time finding a place for our rehearsal dinner. Any ideas? We're getting married in West Des Moines. Hotel/Reception is downtown, so we're open to places in both WDM or DM. We also don't want anything that is crazy expensive. Our wedding is in July and we'll have about 50 people at the rehearsal dinner. Anyone have any ideas or recommendations? Thanks!!

Transportation from Church to Reception

jenandtom2010 — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:40:31 +0000

Hello! We are looking for transportation from the Church to the reception and are having a hard time finding what we want. We originally wanted to book the trolley here in DSM and recently found out that after December it is no longer going to be in commission. Our wedding is in May. I am so bummed! I want something large enough that will accomodate our wedding party, ushers, and personal attendants. There will be approx. 19 of us. I would prefer having the option to sit or stand. I really don't want to have to squeeze into something with my big dress and be forced to sit on top of someone. I know there are party buses out there and I have nothing against them, but would prefer to keep those for the bachelorette party. Do any of you have any suggestions to offer? I would greatly appreciate them! Thank you!!!

Engaged and looking for a ring

timanddani — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:28:19 +0000

My boyfriend just proposed to me and knowing how picky I am with jewelry, he decided to let me pick my ring. The problem is that I just recently moved to Iowa, so I have no idea what good stores are in the area. A further issue is that I do not like the typical engagement rings with a big solitaire rock, or worse, a ton of tiny diamonds everywhere. They are just not my style. I would much rather have pearls or some other stone, such as topaz or aquamarine but I can't find a store online that seems to offer that. If any of you ladies can point out a few jewelry stores in the DSM area that have some selection of such rings, I would be extremely grateful!

Invitation Question

isufans4ever — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 01:18:26 +0000

Should it be two thousand ten or two thousand and ten?

Rehersal Dinner

mlkjas — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:06:41 +0000

Has anyone decided on what they will be doing for the rehersal dinner? We can't seem to decide on what to eat. All we know is that we will stay at our church for dinner. Ideas would be wonderful!!