Portrait Studio is a traveling art experience that brings professional portrait artists to your event. Guests sit for a live portrait and leave with a one-of-a-kind piece of art, making this a memorable and creative addition to a wedding reception. I know several of the artists personally and highly recommend them!

Elevencherry Salon is a luxury salon in downtown Des Moines with a team of award-winning stylists. Owner Lindsey Mollenhauer is known for her expertise in curly hair, wedding styling, editorial work, and color, making Elevencherry one of the best choices in Iowa for elevated wedding hair.

Salon Spa W is a luxury Aveda salon in downtown Des Moines known for its award-winning team and high-end bridal services. Their artists have styled at New York and London Fashion Week, and they bring that same level of expertise to wedding hair and makeup here. From hair and airbrush makeup to facials and full bridal party styling, Salon Spa W is one of the top choices in Iowa for a refined beauty experience. Ask for Katie Jo for hair and Rian for nails!

Palomita is a holistic salon in Beaverdale that offers intuitive, trend-forward hair styling with a focus on individuality and community. They use ethically made products and create a welcoming space for all, making them one of my favorite places to recommend for wedding hair.

Riviera Creative is a detail-forward design house based in Colorado and working worldwide. I’ve photographed their work several times, and Keely is an excellent planner with a true gift for curating artful, intentional events. Riviera handles everything from full-service planning to elopement design, always creating celebrations that feel one-of-a-kind.

One of my favorite spots in Des Moines, The Outside Scoop makes small-batch ice cream that’s truly unmatched. I love their roasted cherry goat cheese and watermelon sorbet, and their pink truck is the cutest addition to a wedding. They even serve waffle cone chips, which are my personal favorite.

Whitney, the artist behind Cake Baby out of West Des Moines, makes absolutely gorgeous custom cakes and desserts for weddings. She offers traditional, vegan, and gluten-free options, and every cake I’ve seen from her has been artfully made and a joy for her couples.

Flower Disco is my all-time favorite florist — Steph is cool, edgy, and wildly creative. I’ve photographed so many of her installations, and every single one has been unforgettable. She treats florals as art, flowering weddings and events worldwide with bold, sculptural designs and full-scale event styling. Based in Colorado, Flower Disco is a luxury floral and event design studio that can take on weddings of any size and make them feel completely original.

My friend Addy is the chef behind Beyond the Vine, based in Des Moines. She creates custom menus for intimate weddings and elopements, designing each one around the event while bringing in her love of bold, rich, and hearty flavors. Addy is intentional about the shared table experience, curating meals that bring people together in joy and connection. I’ve eaten her cooking more times than I can count, and every dish has been pure joy.

Maya and her team are my top recommendation in Des Moines. They handle everything from consultation to full coordination, and their florals are the best I’ve seen in Iowa — from a single bouquet to full design and large-scale installations. You can book them for planning, florals, or both, and every wedding I’ve worked with them has been seamless, beautiful, and stress-free for the couple.

Tangerine is one of my favorite caterers in Des Moines, with a real talent for pairing flavors and building complex, beautiful dishes. Every wedding I’ve photographed with them has had food that looks stunning and tastes just as good.

Gates Paper Co. creates some of the coolest, most artful invitation suites I’ve ever seen. Their work feels bold, modern, and completely unique to each couple — nothing cookie-cutter or cut-and-paste. Their luxurious designs are stunning and I would love to photograph their work at a wedding.

Natalie Gray is a wardrobe stylist and editorial photographer based in Colorado, working with couples and creatives worldwide. Her styling blends vintage influence with effortless, modern details, and she has a real gift for sourcing unique pieces that make each session feel elevated and personal.

Mae&Co Creative is a world-class planning and design team led by Manda Worthington. They specialize in immersive, multi-day wedding experiences around the globe, creating events where no detail is spared. I haven’t worked with them yet, but it would be a dream — their events are comprehensive, artful, and unforgettable.

Carrie England is my favorite officiant to work with, and luckily for me, we have done many weddings together. Carrie specializes in secular ceremonies while honoring all faiths and traditions. She’s warm, thoughtful, and creates ceremonies that feel personal and unique every time.

Veronica “Vern” Stice is the owner of Black Magic Tattoo in Des Moines and has over 15 years of experience. She works across styles — from bright traditional to smooth black and gray — and is especially skilled with cover-ups and fine line details. I’ve been tattooed by her and can confidently recommend her to couples looking for an artist with range.

East Village Spa is my go-to in Des Moines, and I can’t recommend them enough. Their team offers massage, facials, nails, and skincare with a focus on truly welcoming and therapeutic care. I especially love their massages, and I highly recommend couples treat themselves to a couples massage the week of their wedding to de-stress before the big day, especially if you did your own planning.

The only DJ I recommend, Richie has been curating dance events in Des Moines for over a decade. He doesn’t take requests — you trust him to read the room, and he’ll keep the floor moving all night with a set that feels cool, intentional, and completely on vibe.

Cake It Away, Baby! is a cottage bakery in Des Moines known for playful lambeth cakes, cookies, and bespoke desserts. I worked with her on a T4T styled shoot, and the cake she created was as fun and thoughtful as it was delicious — a perfect fit for couples who want something creative and personal on their wedding day.

A queer-owned vegan and gluten-free bakery in downtown Des Moines, Thistle’s Summit cakes and baked goods are a favorite among vegan couples, and their focus on inclusivity and community makes them a standout choice. Marti also officiates weddings, and I’ve loved working with her in that role. She brings the same sense of care, creativity, and inclusivity to ceremonies as she does to her desserts.