Waterloo/Cedar Falls wedding

renjon7798

Is there anyone who is getting married in the Waterloo/Cedar Falls area?  I am planning a July 14, 2012 and I am looking for any advice, help, or referrals anyone has...

Mcsweets

My cousin is getting married up there and I have been helping her ... what do you need?

LRPJ

I am from that area and have attended/helped plan friends' and family members' weddings in NE Iowa!

What are you needing recommendations for?  I would recommend the following from previous experience:

Photographer: Vision Photo Art, Cedar Falls.  www.visionphotoart.com .  They have taken my family's pictures for years and did my sister's wedding pictures.  Unfortunately, they were already booked for my date, or we totally would have paid for them to travel to our wedding this fall in DSM.

Videographer: Visualities Videography.  www.visualitiesvideography.com .  The videographer is actually from Northeast Iowa.  She's based out of Omaha, but we are having her for our wedding, and I remembered her saying she is from that area.

Cake: Waverly Bakery.  One word: YUM.

Rehearsal Dinner spots: East Bremer Diner in Waverly, The Brown Bottle in Cedar Falls (the owners are relatives, and the food is great at both places).  They have private areas for big groups.

Wedding Reception venues: The Pipac Centre in Cedar Falls (expensive but very very nice and hotel right next to it for guests), Centennial Oaks Golf & Country Club in Waverly, the Riviera Roose in Janesville.

Caterers: Sunrise Catering...did a great job at a wedding I was in.

That's all I can think of off that top of my head.  I hope that gets you a start!  I'll let you know if I think of any more :-)

medusia00

Welcome to the board!! LRPJ gave a lot of great advice!!

renjon7798

Here's what I have planned so far...

Wedding date of July 14, 2010
reception at the Isle of Capri in Waterloo

I'm thinking of having my wedding at the Arboretum by Hawkeye College.  Nervous about it being too hot and there is very limited parking.  My guests would have to park in the Hawkeye parking lot then walk over to the Arboretum.  I'm not comfortable with that, but it's so close to the reception location.

Where do you suggest looking for wedding dresses?  I've hit all the ones in Waterloo/Cedar Falls and here's my big issue.  I'm measuring about a size 14 and my bridesmades range from sizes 18-32.  We are NOT finding any place that has dresses that we can get our legs into, let along actually try on.  Suggestions?

(Thank you for reminding me of the Waverly Bakery!  I live in Waverly and completly forgot they were even there! )

LRPJ

Wow--sounds like you've got a good start to your planning!  I'm assuming you mean 2011??  haha.

I've never been to the Arboretum by HCC...I'm sure it will be a great place though!  Are there other places close to the casino?  Maybe a part of the hotel at the Isle?

All of the weddings I've been in--in Waverly--have found dresses in Des Moines.  One bride found her dress at David's Bridal in Cedar Rapids...they got horrible customer service, and she ended up coming here to W Des Moines, to get our bridesmaid dresses.

If you want to come to DSM to go dress shopping, there are TONS of options, and I'd be glad to recommend a few!  I found mine at Stacey's Bridal.  They also have a selection of bridesmaid dresses.  Schaeffer's is also a wonderful bridal shop...and Weddings By Design.  There are PLENTY of others in the metro area.

My BM are all wearing knee-length black dresses of their choice, so one (size 20) found hers at Lane Bryant here; the skinnie minnies found theirs at White House Black Market.  I'm having boleros made for them, so they'll look somewhat uniform but be able to wear a dress that flatters them and is in their budget.

Are you from Waverly?  I grew up there and love NE Iowa.  I'm sure your wedding will be beautiful!

renjon7798

I was born and raised in Waverly. 

I actually meant to type July 14, 2012 for my wedding.  I know I am quite aways out, but considering Waterloo/Cedar Falls area is smaller than a lot of places, I know locations and vendors get booked pretty quickly. 

What bridal salons to you suggest in DSM?  Besides the size range, I need a place that is open Sunday and Monday.  Those are my only days off with my job.  Makes planning a wedding a bit tricky, another reason I am trying to start now....

[Deleted User]

Have you tried Simply I Do? My mom lives in the CF area and we went there to try a few--- I absolutely loved it there. I had several to try on that fit and even the ones that didn't the were not hesitant to get in for me if I wanted. I fell in love at Stacey's in DSM with another though. (they also have a great size range!)

Kathy's Cakes in Independence is AMAZING! btw! I know she travels. Also, You could check out floral from Bud's and Blossoms in Oelwien- they are great as well and willing to travel or deliver!!

DCTT2012

I am planning a CF wedding in June of 2012. I know that the Bridal Place in Machester is wonderful. I have been there to try on dresses and they were awesome. I haven't bought a dress yet, but found one there that Ioved. I too am going to do my cake from Waverly Bakery. Still have to find a photographer and DJ.