Intimate Eastern Iowa Wedding | Renee & Cody

We’re currently living in an unprecedented time. As things with the COVID-19 situation progress, everything in our lives beyond home has closed, canceled or postponed. Even weddings haven’t escaped without change. Cody and Renee handled the situation with such grace and peace. Rather than cancelling their big celebration altogether, they opted for a much smaller, intimate eastern Iowa wedding at home.

Cody and Renee have been planning their March 2020 wedding for almost a year. Two weeks before the wedding it seemed unimaginable that gatherings, like weddings, might not be able to take place. The official announcement came the week of Cody and Renee’s big day. Gathering sizes must be limited and venues closed. All of their planning was no longer able to happen.

They turned to their family and friends and hatched a new plan. Rather than a large celebration at their wedding venue, they would instead have a small ceremony at Cody’s parent’s farm. I’ll be the first to say, it was all absolutely perfect! The moment Cody and Renee saw each other down the aisle. Their closest friends lighting candles and transferring the flame for the unity candle. A clear day for gorgeous portraits (oh, and they really are gorgeous!!). Everything was perfect. And above all else, these two got married, which is really what weddings are all about!!!

I think one of the coolest things about their change of plans was our ability to take photos in such a beautiful location! After their ceremony, we went out to the pasture, just like we did for their engagement session! Rarely is there an open field like this near a wedding venue or church. The ability to capture their memories in a place so special to them truly made having an intimate wedding extra special!

Renee and Cody, I am blown away. You two handled what could’ve been someone else’s worst nightmare, and turned it into something truly beautiful. Your marriage is more important than any perfectly planned day, wedding date or number of guests. It’s about the love you have for each other that withstands “for better or worse.” You guys are so inspiring to everyone in your life! I’m so grateful I got to spend this day with you. I look forward to celebrating your marriage once again when everyone can join!