Leading up to the wedding, we had been having some typically brutal summer heat here in Iowa. But that Saturday, the heat lifted and we were blessed with high-70’s and a little breeze. It was exactly what you’d wish for on a wedding day, especially one in the summertime.
Sally & Erik live in Colorado, but they met at the University of Iowa so it was only perfect that they get married back here where it all started for them. They had mutual friends and had been introduced briefly one time, but they didn’t first actually meet until New Years Eve. Sally says, “I was going to Chicago with some girlfriends to celebrate downtown and heard that some of our friends from college would be joining. My girlfriends and I had booked a room at a hotel for the night and decided everyone in the group would meet there first and then go out to the celebration. I’ll never forget when Erik walked in the door with his friends. I was instantly curious about him and wanted to get to know him more. He was wearing a black suit and looked very handsome.
“After Erik and his friends (some of whom were mutual friends) arrived, we were all reintroduced and decided to head out to the event which was being held downtown. I’ll never forget how cold it was that night! When waiting for a car, Erik offered me his jacket which I was giddy on the inside about. What really stood out to me that night was how polite, kind, and gentle Erik was. He took the time to open doors, listen and ask questions about where I was from, and find out what my interests were.”
At some point during that evening, they strayed from the group to find a quiet corner to talk. Those initial moments gave way to a real relationship, a mutual move to Minnesota (where he proposed), and another move together to Colorado last year. They’ve been planning the wedding long-distance, though Sally had the best help with her family living here in Iowa City and her cousin, Julie, being both her matron of honor and her wedding planner.
Everyone who knows Sally & Erik says they are both so giving, so selfless, and incredibly loyal. The toasts that were given later in the evening included genuine and beautiful stories of how they’ve blessed the lives of those closest to them and it was such a joy to see the start of their marriage, a union of two kind and generous people.
The ladies arrived at the church, hair and makeup done, but in their comfortable street clothes and ready to place a lunch order for delivery. Meanwhile, I grabbed all of Sally’s bridal details to photograph them, along with her stunning Bella Bianca gown.
Before getting into her gown, Sally read a note that Erik had written to her.
A quick walk up the street to the Pentacrest was the perfect spot for photos. Sally & Erik shared their first look and then we breezed right into the rest of the photos before the ceremony began.
He pulled her in and whispered something in her ear and I care about nothing but her amazing reaction to whatever he said.
I adore this color combination and their bridal party made for the most wonderful photos!
Sally’s grandfather walked her down the aisle and it was the sweetest moment to start the ceremony.
After the ceremony, we headed over to the new Hancher Auditorium for their reception. The space is beautiful, a stunning feat of architecture, and it made for the most wonderful views. I will always and always take floor to ceiling windows, white walls, and beautiful architectural lines.
The reception was held on the second floor, but before guests went up for dinner, they enjoyed cocktail hour down below.
I pulled them out of the reception for a few minutes to both grab sunset photos as well as some extra photos of them outside of Hancher.
Sally & Erik, it was an honor to spend your wedding day with you. I hope these images provide you with the most beautiful memories of the happiest day of your lives.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Photography: Emily Crall Photography
Wedding Coordinator: Tweedt Weddings
Florals: Every Bloomin’ Thing
Cake Artist & Catering: University Catering
DJ: Unique Events of Iowa
Makeup & Hair: Tru Salon
Paper Suite: Zephyr Weddings
Bridal Gown: Bella Bianca Couture Bridal
Maids’ Gowns: Vera Wang from David’s Bridal
Suits: Skeffington’s Formalwear
Ceremony Venue: First United Methodist Church
Reception Venue: Hancher Auditorium
add a comment
+ COMMENTS