Lauren Gardner Lauren Gardner

10 Unique Alternatives to Wedding Cake

Not a fan of traditional wedding cake? You’re not alone! Maybe you’re not a fan of the taste, you want something more unique, or you’re just looking for a dessert that feels more you. The good news? There are plenty of creative, delicious alternatives that can make your wedding just as memorable (and even more fun!).

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Lauren Gardner Lauren Gardner

The Ultimate Guide to Your Marriage License

Wedding planning is all fun and games, but let’s not forget the most important part: The Marriage License! Without it, you can’t be legally married, so it’s really important to take the time to do your research at least 90 days out from your wedding day to be sure you have everything in order.

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Lauren Gardner Lauren Gardner

The Right Questions to Ask at Venue Tours

Touring wedding venues is a tiring process, especially when you don’t know the questions to ask. My best recommendation for you when it comes to the touring process? Is to hire a wedding planner. Now hear me out, it’s because we listen to your vision and understand your aesthetic to find the venue that best matches your needs.

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Lauren Gardner Lauren Gardner

30+ Late Night Snack Ideas That Make an Impact

Late night snacks have become a fan favorite at weddings over the years, but where do you even begin when it comes to planning it? We’ve compiled a list of our fav late night snack food options into multiple catergories, for you to be able to find what fits best for you on your big day!

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Lauren Gardner Lauren Gardner

Top Des Moines Wedding Venues

I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite wedding venues in the area, as a Des Moines wedding planner who knows all the best spots ;)

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Lauren Gardner Lauren Gardner

“Into the Woods” a Dark Woodland Wedding

Every couple should have the feeling of a fairytale wedding, and that’s exactly what I wanted to capture in this styled shoot. I’m a big fan of the renaissance festival and a fantasy book lover, so it should come as no surpprise when I decided to make my fairytale wedding dreams come true.

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Lauren Gardner Lauren Gardner

The Beginners Guide to Creating a Wedding Website

I always recommend that couples create a wedding website since you’re able to share so much more information about your wedding day than you are on your save the dates and rsvp’s. However, if this is your first wedding, it can be a little confusing where to start when it comes to creating your website.

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Lauren Gardner Lauren Gardner

10 Bridesmaid Gift Ideas

Here’s my ultimate list of unique and creative bridesmaid gift ideas that go beyond the conventional and ensure your bridesmaids will remember your special day with a smile.

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Lauren Gardner Lauren Gardner

5 Common Mistakes Couples Make When Planning

As a professional wedding planner, I see many mistakes that couples make when planning their wedding. Today I wanted to narrow down that list of mistakes, to the top 5 that I most commonly see, and tell you how to avoid those common mistakes.

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Lauren Gardner Lauren Gardner

Everything You Need to Know About Save the Dates

If you're in the process of planning and creating your save the dates, you may be thinking, "where do I begin?!". Navigating stationary can get confusing and stressful sometimes, but rest assured this article will tell you everything you need to know about your save the dates!

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Lauren Gardner Lauren Gardner

10 Spring Wedding Ideas

Spring weddings are truly something special, but how do you even begin planning a spring wedding? What color scheme should you use? What decor should you use? While most of those questions are completely up to you as a couple, I'm here to walk you through some spring wedding ideas to show you what other couples have done, and what you can do to make your spring time wedding stand out, and stay true to the theme.

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Lauren Gardner Lauren Gardner

‘Written In The Stars’, A Celestial Styled Shoot

When you think of your love story, you may think is was fate, a love destined to be by the Gods themselves. That’s what I wanted to incorporate into this shoot. I wanted to bring in all kinds of celestial elements, because who doesn’t want a wedding under the stars?!

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