The Dubuque Arboretum Wedding, Ashley & Adam
The Dubuque Arboretum normally only hosts wedding ceremonies, and this was their FIRST wedding reception they’d hosted at the gardens! I am so glad I got to be apart of it for Ashley and Adam’s big day!
Photo By: Sophie Rae
Unique Twists
This was one of the coolest bridesmaid gifts I’d ever seen! The maid of honor bought a clock, and stopped it at the exact moment Ashley and Adam became husband and wife at their ceremony. Then during her speech, she gifted it to them. It was so sweet and heartfelt, I’m sure the couple will cherish that clock for years to come!
Adam and Ashley had SO many unique a fun elements to their wedding, but one of my personal favorites, was their song choice pamphlet. Music is so important to this couple, and they wanted their guests to understand the meanings behind every song they picked from their ceremony, to their grand entrance, to the couples very first dance, which was all laid out in the music pamphlet they handed out to everyone during the ceremony.
The Details
Another thing this couple did that I absolutely loved, was that they used so many vintage elements! All their signage was vintage, along with the plates their guests dined on, and their favors! The couple spent months thrifting mugs for their guests to take home as favors, and it was such a cute idea because everyone got to take home something different!
The Dubuque arboretum wedding ceremony
The ceremony happened to be on one of the hottset days in all of September in Iowa… it was 93* degrees out… But the ceremony was so beautiful, who cared?
The Dubuque arboretum wedding reception
Adam and Ashley’s wedding was the FIRST reception the Dubuque Arboretum ever had! So of course we had to make it special! After Adam and Ashley’s ceremony in the gardens, guests walked over to enjoy cocktail hour under the gazebo with a grazing table and open bar.
Shortly after, the couple made their grand entrance, and everyone sat down for speeches and toasts. Nobody was expecting such a fun dinner after speeches and toasts however… The couple brought in a pizza food truck for their meal! It was such a hit and a fun twist compared to a traditional wedding meal!
While the heat was definitely a setback, Adam and Ashley’s wedding turned out perfect! Big thanks to all the amazing vendors who made the day run so smooth!
Vendor Team
Venue: Dubuque Arboretum
Photographer: Sophie Rae Photography
Bartender: Fine Cocktail LLC
Caterer: Magoos Pizza
Décor: Inside Decor
Shuttle: Trolleys of Dubuque Co.
