Timeless Tropical Botanical Garden Wedding

WeddingsDes Moines

Oct 28

This romantic garden party wedding at the end of September was the sweetest day of love and tenderness in one of my favorite places, the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden.

Zoey and Casey first met on Twitter, debating the gender diversity (or lack of it) at 80/35, a local Des Moines music festival. Zoey, who was working in marketing for the festival at the time, saw Casey’s posts and, while she agreed with him, thought he was kind of annoying because she had already been working on putting together Street Heat, her own local music festival which boasted a super diverse lineup.

Zoey hired me to photograph Street Heat and I ended up taking photos of Casey at the fest without even realizing who he was, and Zoey was even in some of them! I love when I get to meet my couples through my work in the music world, and this one feels extra special knowing I took some of their very first photos together, and now I’ve photographed their wedding. At the time, I was completely unaware and they didn’t realize it either until they finally met up at Alpine Tap for a sober date night. They found they had a lot more in common and talked for hours, and the rest is history. I didn’t know about the photos until years later when they hired me for the wedding.

On their wedding day, Zoey got ready at Palomita Salon (highly recommend!) and headed to the Botanical Garden in the afternoon. Zoey's wedding dress from Des Moines Bridal Boutique was simple and modern with a plunge neckline. Casey's light grey suit and white tie tied in perfectly with the dusty pastel pink and green shades of the wedding party and the soft colors in Zoey's bouquet. The florals by Sibyl Sophia were everything—zinnias, dahlias, ranunculus, anthuriums, billy balls, and eucalyptus in delicate pinks, peaches, oranges, and yellows.

Their first look was under the willow tree by the Water Garden, right next to the patinaed leaf-like sculptures called “Persona I, II, III,” by Mark LaMair, a Des Moines native. The Water Garden is one of the most stunning spots at the Botanical Garden—there are hundreds of water lilies floating on the surface, and the view of downtown Des Moines’ skyline is so pretty from here.

We did some family and wedding party photos outside in the gardens after snuggling their little dog Bruiser who made a guest appearance! When we wrapped up, Zoey and Casey took a quiet break together in The Ruan Allée, a shaded promenade lined with State Street maples and thousands of irises. They sat together on a shady bench, laughing and taking selfies while guests were taking their seats for the ceremony.

Inside the lush Conservatory, a massive geodesic dome filled with tropical plants, friends and family gathered on both the main floor and the mezzanine overlooking the gardens below. Guests waved white paper fans to keep cool in the warm, humid dome. When Zoey and Casey entered and walked down the aisle together, their loved ones looked on lovingly from every vantage point in the greenhouse. Their friend Tori officiated, a poem was read, and they exchanged vows while surrounded by massive banana trees, agave, palms, and orchids.

After the ceremony, Zoey and Casey stepped away for golden hour portraits while their guests enjoyed a cocktail hour. After an incredible dinner reception catered by Tangerine Food Co and a round of loving toasts, Casey and Zoey jumped into the photo booth bus by The Good Co. and then headed straight to the dance floor, where DJs Willy Muse and Derek Lambert were spinning records in matching, custom-made suits. The dessert table was a spread of lemon trifles, chocolate mousse, cookies, cupcakes, bars, and wedding cake.

Another amazing wedding day at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. I’ve photographed many weddings here now, but each day I’ve spent with a couple in this magical place has been so uniquely them. That’s why this endlessly versatile venue with its countless indoor and outdoor gardens, nooks, and special features, will always remain in my favorites list.

I really love these photos of Zoey and Casey’s day, with all their soft colors and big heartfelt smiles, and I hope you do too. ❤️ Reach out if you’re looking for a photographer for your own botanical garden wedding! I’d love to talk with you.