Wedding at Salisbury House in Des Moines, Iowa

August 20, 2024

This was one of the most emotional wedding days I’ve ever photographed. All day it was evident that Parker loves Olivia, and Olivia loves Parker wholeheartedly. Their commitment to each other was so clear throughout their wedding day at Salisbury House in Des Moines, Iowa. Let me tell you, tears flowed freely all day long.

Despite the inescapable heat, everyone was genuinely so happy to be witness to their marriage. You could feel the love and joy all day.

I had the chance to chat with Olivia’s parents throughout the day. They express so much pride in their daughter and love for her husband. Her dad shared how excited he is to support them in their new life together. It’s the perfect picture of how I hope to be for my own kids on their wedding days—always supporting, never controlling.

One of the sweetest details of the day was Olivia’s opal bracelet. Her parents have been purchasing an opal every year on her birthday, keeping them safely tucked away in a deposit box. When Parker and Olivia got engaged, they presented her with the collection of opals they had saved over the years. She had them set into a beautiful bracelet to wear on her wedding day. How special is that? It’s such a testament to how deeply her parents have always thought about her future, even from the time she was just a baby.

A Garden Ceremony at Salisbury House

As Parker walked each family member down the aisle, the tears just kept coming. He and Olivia had decided not to see each other before the ceremony, and you could feel the anticipation building as the moment he would finally see her drew near. They wrote their own vows, and every word was soaked in love and a commitment to building a God-honoring marriage. When they stepped aside to pray together, it was like the whole world faded away, leaving just the two of them. The light filtering through the trees made it such a serene and peaceful moment.

Tented Wedding Reception

A huge shoutout to White Willow Events for making the day run so smoothly. Wedding planners do so much more than just make things look pretty—they serve their couples with so much care.

After the ceremony, the celebration continued with a tented reception outside. Many heartfelt speeches were given by their wedding party and parents. Dinner concluded and everyone made their way to the dance floor to dance, chat and celebrate the evening as the light faded.

This day was a absolute honor to photograph. Olivia and Parker’s marriage was the focus, which allowed the rest of the day to fall into it’s proper place. The emphasis wasn’t on the pictures, it was on experiencing the day, which then led to the meaningful representation of the day as it truly was.