The Pretty Little Vows Preferred Iowa Wedding Vendor Guide
One of the biggest pieces of advice we can give any couple planning a wedding is this:
Your vendor team matters.
You can have the most beautiful venue and the most detailed wedding plan in the world, but the people you choose to bring that vision to life can completely change how your wedding day actually feels.
At Pretty Little Vows, we spend our weekends working alongside wedding professionals throughout Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Des Moines, Eastern Iowa, and beyond. We have seen firsthand how much of a difference an amazing vendor team can make.
So, we decided to put together our Pretty Little Vows Preferred Vendor Guide!
These are venues and wedding professionals we love, recommend looking into, or believe deserve to be on your radar while building your Iowa wedding vendor team. Every couple has a different style, personality, budget, and vision, so we always recommend doing your own research and making sure each vendor feels like the right fit for you.
This is not a paid or sponsored list. Just some wedding-industry love from us to you. 🤍
Our Preferred Iowa Wedding Venues
Your venue sets the tone for so much of your wedding day. From getting-ready spaces and ceremony locations to your reception layout and photos, choosing a venue that fits both your vision and your actual wedding-day needs is so important.
1. Walnut Ridge Venue | Shellsburg, Iowa
Walnut Ridge is easily one of the venues we want our couples to have on their radar!
The property gives couples the beautiful Iowa countryside feel while still having a modern, elevated look. We especially love how much character the venue already has on its own, which allows couples to personalize the space without feeling like they need to completely transform it. Walnut Ridge features a modern event space, waterfront views, getting-ready suites, custom walnut tables, and gorgeous surroundings.
Website: walnutridgevenue.com
2. The Midnight Gem | Swisher, Iowa
The Midnight Gem is another venue we absolutely love!
It has that modern, luxury wedding feel while still being warm, romantic, and inviting. Their Swisher location is also perfectly positioned between the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City areas, which can be incredibly convenient for couples and guests.
Website: themidnightgem.com
3. The HarMac | Cedar Rapids, Iowa
For couples wanting something different from the traditional Iowa barn venue, The HarMac is such a fun option.
Located in downtown Cedar Rapids, the venue has an industrial, modern atmosphere with so much character. It can accommodate weddings of varying sizes, and the unique architecture gives photographers so many opportunities to create incredible images.
Website: theharmac.com
4. Ashton Hill Farm | Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Ashton Hill Farm gives couples the best of both worlds: modern elegance and beautiful Iowa countryside.
We love venues where couples can spend the majority of their wedding day in one place. Ashton Hill offers getting-ready suites, an outdoor ceremony space, and a large reception area, which can make the flow of the wedding day so much easier.
Website: ashtonhillfarm.com
5. The Carriage House | Cedar Rapids, Iowa
The Carriage House is such a beautiful option for couples who love a mixture of historic charm and modern wedding style.
Located in downtown Cedar Rapids, this restored 1800s carriage house includes an indoor event space filled with natural light along with an outdoor patio that can be used for ceremonies or cocktail hour.
Website: thecarriagehousecr.com
Our Preferred Iowa Wedding Photographers
Your photographer is one of the vendors you will spend the MOST time with on your wedding day.
Of course you want beautiful photos, but personality matters too! Your photographer will be beside you during some of the most emotional and intimate moments of the day, so finding someone you genuinely feel comfortable with is huge.
1. Rock Tai Photography & Videography
Rock Tai is our first photography recommendation!
Based in Cedar Rapids, Rock specializes in both wedding photography and videography. We love wedding professionals who understand that it isn't only about getting the beautiful shot. It's also about capturing the emotion, personality, and little moments happening throughout the entire wedding day.
Website: rocktaiphotography.com
2. Forever Green Studios
Forever Green Studios is a Cedar Rapids-based husband-and-wife photography team.
Their wedding coverage focuses on telling the entire story of the day, and having two photographers can be incredibly valuable when there are multiple things happening at once.
Website: forevergreenstudios.com
3. Ivory+Bliss
Ivory+Bliss is a women-led photography team based in Cedar Rapids specializing in lifestyle and wedding photography.
We especially love their focus on making sure the photographer and couple are genuinely a good fit. Your photographer's personality matters so much, and having a team you can relax around can completely change your experience in front of the camera.
Website: ivoryandbliss.com
4. W Photography
W Photography is a Cedar Rapids-based wedding photography business focused on a laid-back experience while still keeping things organized behind the scenes.
Wedding photographers often become an important part of timeline planning too, especially when working through getting-ready photos, first looks, family photos, bridal party photos, and sunset portraits.
Website: thewphotography.com
5. Oak & Ivory Photography
Oak & Ivory Photography serves couples throughout Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Des Moines, the Quad Cities, and beyond.
Their style focuses on natural, clean, elegant imagery while also capturing the real emotions and little moments throughout the wedding day.
Website: oakandivoryphoto.com
Our Preferred Iowa Wedding DJs & Entertainment
We will say this forever!
A great wedding DJ does SO much more than press play.
Your DJ helps control the energy of your reception. They make announcements, introduce your wedding party, coordinate dances and speeches, communicate with the vendor team, read the room, and help move your reception timeline forward.
1. Mobile Audio Productions
Mobile Audio Productions is our first DJ recommendation!
Based in Eastern Iowa, Mobile Audio Productions provides wedding DJ services along with professional sound, staging, and lighting services. Having a company that understands the technical side of sound and event production in addition to wedding entertainment can be such a huge advantage.
Website: mobileaudioprod.com
2. Unique Events
Unique Events offers so much more than DJ services.
Their wedding and event services include DJs, lighting, floral, décor, rentals, event design, and other options couples can use to bring their wedding vision together.
Website: uniqueeventsiowa.com
3. Clife DJ Company
Clife DJ Company has been providing wedding and event entertainment in Iowa since 2014.
Their entire focus is creating energetic celebrations and memorable dance floors, which is exactly what so many couples are looking for when choosing their reception entertainment.
Website: clifedjcompany.com
4. Iowa Party Starters
Iowa Party Starters provides wedding and event DJ services with an emphasis on creating a fun reception that still feels personal to the couple.
Your reception playlist should reflect YOU, but a great DJ also knows when to change direction, read the dance floor, and choose the song your guests didn't know they needed.
Website: iowapartystarters.com
5. Skwizit Soundz
Skwizit Soundz is a Cedar Rapids entertainment company offering wedding DJ services along with sound, microphones, lighting, MC services, and other entertainment options.
We love when DJs understand that they are part of the vendor team and help keep the reception flowing instead of working completely independently from everyone else.
Website: Skwizit Soundz on WeddingWire
Our Preferred Iowa Wedding Florists
Wedding florals can completely transform a space.
Whether your vision is simple greenery and delicate bouquets or full ceremony installations and statement centerpieces, a talented florist can take the inspiration in your head and turn it into something real.
1. Beautifully Bloomed
Beautifully Bloomed specializes in Iowa wedding floral design with a focus on creating florals that feel personal to each couple.
From bouquets to full wedding floral designs, we love florists who look at the entire wedding rather than treating every arrangement as its own separate piece.
Website: beautifullybloomedflowers.com
2. Studio Bloom Iowa
Studio Bloom is an Eastern Iowa boutique wedding florist serving the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City corridor.
Their style focuses heavily on lush, garden-inspired designs, including bouquets, arches, ceremony florals, and other full-service wedding floral work.
Website: studiobloomiowa.com
3. EllaBank Blossoms
EllaBank Blossoms serves the Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, and surrounding wedding markets with custom floral design.
Their services can include everything from personal flowers to ceremony arbors and statement floral pieces, making them another florist worth looking into while building your wedding vision.
Website/Profile: EllaBank Blossoms on The Knot
4. Parrott Floral Co.
Parrott Floral Co. is based in Cedar Rapids and specializes in wedding floral design.
Their services can include bouquets, personal flowers, centerpieces, installations, delivery, and setup, which makes them a great option for couples looking for a more full-service floral experience.
Website/Profile: Parrott Floral Co. on WeddingWire
5. Unhinged Floral Co.
Unhinged Floral Co. is a Cedar Rapids boutique wedding florist with a really fun, artistic approach to floral design.
Their work focuses on custom designs, unexpected textures, color, and florals that feel unique to the couple rather than simply recreating the same wedding arrangements over and over again.
Website: unhingedfloral.com
Our Preferred Iowa Wedding Caterers
Let's give wedding food the attention it deserves!
Your guests may not remember every little detail of your centerpiece five years from now, but they WILL remember whether they loved dinner.
When choosing a wedding caterer, look beyond the menu. Communication, staffing, dietary restrictions, setup, dinner timing, cleanup responsibilities, and the way the catering team works with your other vendors all matter too.
1. Peppercorn Food Company
Peppercorn Food Company provides catering for weddings and events throughout Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois.
We especially love caterers who understand that great wedding catering is about both the food and the experience. Communication, execution, and timing are all incredibly important when you're feeding an entire reception at once.
Website: peppercornfoodcompany.com
2. Zest Catering Company
Zest Catering Company is based in Cedar Rapids and serves Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, and surrounding communities.
They offer custom catering options for everything from smaller celebrations to very large events, giving couples flexibility when planning their wedding menu.
Website: zestcateringco.com
3. Dostal Catering Service
Dostal Catering Service has been part of the Cedar Rapids catering community for more than a century.
They provide catering for weddings, corporate events, and other celebrations with customizable options depending on the needs of the event.
Website: dostalcatering.com
4. Catering by LJ's
Catering by LJ's is located in Marion and serves events throughout Eastern Iowa.
They have been part of the local catering industry for years and offer professionally prepared catering for weddings and other events.
Website: cateringbyljs.com
5. Amos Deans
Amos Deans provides wedding and event catering throughout Eastern Iowa.
They offer several different catering formats and customizable options, which can be especially helpful when couples are trying to find something that works for their guest count, vision, and overall wedding style.
Website: amosdeans.com
How Do You Choose the Right Iowa Wedding Vendors?
Here's the thing:
The most expensive vendor is not automatically the best vendor for your wedding.
The vendor with the biggest social media following isn't automatically the best either.
And just because your best friend absolutely loved someone doesn't necessarily mean they will be the right fit for YOU.
When you're interviewing wedding vendors, look at their recent work and reviews, but also pay attention to how they communicate with you.
Do they answer your questions?
Do you understand exactly what you're paying for?
Do they have a clear contract?
Do they make you feel comfortable?
Do their personality and style fit yours?
Do they communicate professionally with your other vendors?
And most importantly...
Do you trust them?
Because when your wedding day finally arrives, you shouldn't be questioning whether your vendors are going to show up and do what they promised.
You should already know they will.
Build a Wedding Vendor TEAM, Not Just a Vendor List
This is something we think couples overlook all the time. You aren't simply hiring a photographer. Then a DJ. Then a caterer. Then a florist. You are building a TEAM of people who all have to work together for an entire day. Your photographer needs to know when the ceremony is starting. Your DJ needs to know when you're ready for your grand entrance. Your catering team needs to know when dinner can begin. Your florist needs access to the spaces they're decorating. And when something changes, everyone needs to know about it. That is why hiring wedding professionals who communicate and collaborate well can make such a difference.
And Don't Forget Your Wedding Coordinator
You can have an incredible venue, photographer, DJ, florist, and caterer... But someone still needs to connect all of those moving pieces. That's where Pretty Little Vows comes in. Our job is to keep your wedding day moving, communicate with your vendors, coordinate your ceremony and reception, answer questions, troubleshoot the unexpected, and protect the experience you've spent months planning. Because your mom shouldn't be running around looking for the caterer. Your maid of honor shouldn't be watching the clock all evening. And YOU definitely shouldn't be answering vendor questions while you're trying to get married. You planned the wedding. When the day finally arrives, you deserve to actually experience it. Pretty Little Vows provides wedding coordination throughout Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Des Moines, Eastern Iowa, and beyond. If you're building your Iowa wedding vendor dream team and still need someone in your corner making sure everything comes together, we'd absolutely love to hear what you're planning.
Inquire with Pretty Little Vows today to see if your wedding date is available.
Pretty Little Vows Wedding Planning Team
Planning a wedding should feel exciting, not like a second full-time job. Pretty Little Vows is a sister-owned wedding coordination and planning company based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and we help engaged couples hand off the pressure so the experience stays joyful and the celebration stays centered on what matters most. If you are looking for a full-service wedding planner, Pretty Little Vows provides hands-on planning support for weddings throughout Iowa and beyond. We stay involved before the wedding, keep vendor management and timelines on track, handle behind-the-scenes details, and advocate for you throughout the day so you can be fully present in your own celebration.
Full Service Wedding Planning in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Beyond
Full-service planning is for couples who want more than someone to step in at the end. Pretty Little Vows supports the planning workload before the wedding, not just the event itself, so you are not carrying vendor coordination, timeline pressure, and day-of logistics on your own.
This is the right level of support when you already know you want an experienced team involved earlier in the process. Pretty Little Vows gives you planning help that keeps details moving and decisions from piling up all at once. "Pretty Little Vows serves couples who want the level of support 33% of couples choose, according to The Knot: full-service wedding planning." Timing matters with this kind of service.
The Knot reports that 52% of couples begin planning 12 months ahead, and it recommends finding a planner at least 12 months before the wedding day, which is why Pretty Little Vows is a strong fit when you want help before deadlines and logistics start stacking up.
Full Service Planning May Be Right For You If:
• You want professional guidance throughout the planning process
• You feel overwhelmed by timelines, vendors, and logistics
• You have a busy schedule and limited time to plan
• You want an experienced advocate throughout the process
• You want to fully enjoy your engagement without constant wedding stress
How Pretty Little Vows Helps Couples Stay Organized
Wedding planning isn't just about booking vendors. It's about making sure every detail works together seamlessly.
When you book Full Service Planning with Pretty Little Vows, we help with:
Vendor Management
We help recommend trusted vendors, keep communication organized, and ensure everyone stays on the same page!
Timeline Creation
We build a detailed wedding timeline that keeps your day running smoothly from start to finish.
Design Guidance
Need help bringing your vision to life? We'll help make sure your design choices create a cohesive wedding experience.
Wedding Day Logistics
We manage the behind the scenes details so you don't have to worry about questions, timelines, vendors, or unexpected issues on your wedding day.
Personal Support
Sometimes you simply need someone in your corner. We are here to answer questions, offer guidance, and help you navigate decisions throughout the planning process.
Full Service Wedding Planning vs Day Of Coordination
One of the most common questions we receive is:
"Do I need full service planning or just wedding day coordination?"
It all comes down to how much support you're looking for. If you enjoy planning, have time to manage vendors and details, and simply want someone to take over and run everything on the wedding day, Wedding Day Coordination is likely the perfect fit.
If you'd rather have guidance, organization, vendor support, and a planning partner by your side throughout the entire process, Full Service Planning may be the better option. No matter which package you choose, our goal is the same: helping you enjoy your engagement and your wedding day with less stress and more confidence
Full Service Planning
• Support throughout the planning process
• Vendor recommendations and guidance
• Planning assistance and organization
• Timeline creation and management
• Wedding day coordination
Wedding Coordination
• Support closer to the wedding date
• Vendor confirmations
• Timeline management
• Ceremony and reception coordination
• Wedding day execution
Both services provide incredible value. The difference is how involved you'd like us to be before your wedding day arrives.
Pretty Little Vows offers support beyond wedding-day coverage. The Knot lists $3,800 for full-service planning versus $2,400 for month-of coordination on average.
Why Couples Choose Pretty Little Vows
Pretty Little Vows was built on the belief that every couple deserves support, encouragement, and a wedding day that feels like them.
As a sister owned business based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, we take pride in providing personalized service that goes beyond simply checking tasks off a list. We genuinely care about our couples and work hard to ensure every wedding day feels organized, stress free, and memorable.
Whether you're planning a wedding in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Des Moines, the Quad Cities, or anywhere throughout Iowa, we would love to help bring your vision to life.
Let's Talk About Your Wedding
If you're feeling overwhelmed by wedding planning or simply want an experienced team by your side, we'd love to chat.
Our Full Service Planning Package is designed to help couples enjoy their engagement while feeling confident that every detail is being handled with care.
Contact Pretty Little Vows today to learn more about our Full Service Wedding Planning services and discover how we can help make your wedding day everything you've envisioned!
Why Hiring a Day of Wedding Coordinator Is One of the Best Decisions You'll Make
You've spent months (or maybe even years) planning your wedding. You've booked your venue, chosen your photographer, found your dream dress, and carefully selected every detail that will make your day uniquely yours.
So here's the question:
Who's making sure it all actually happens the way you've planned it?
This is exactly why so many couples choose to hire a day of wedding coordinator.
At Pretty Little Vows, one of the most common things we hear from our couples is:
"We thought we could handle it ourselves... until we realized someone actually has to run the wedding."
What Does a Day of Wedding Coordinator Actually Do?
A day of wedding coordinator is the person who takes all of your months of planning and turns it into a seamless wedding day.
Instead of answering questions, solving problems, checking on vendors, directing guests, or watching the clock, you get to enjoy being present with the people you love most.
While you're getting ready, celebrating with your wedding party, and soaking in every moment, your coordinator is busy making sure everything stays on schedule.
At Pretty Little Vows, we handle things like:
Confirming vendors before your wedding
Managing your wedding day timeline
Directing your ceremony processional
Coordinating with photographers, DJs, caterers, and other vendors
Helping guests know where they need to be
Keeping your reception flowing smoothly
Solving unexpected issues before you ever know they happened
Our goal is simple: you shouldn't have to work at your own wedding.
Why Couples Decide They Need a Wedding Coordinator
Many couples assume they only need a coordinator if they're having a huge luxury wedding.
The truth is, almost every wedding benefits from professional coordination.
Whether you're inviting 50 guests or 300, there are countless moving pieces that have to come together at exactly the right time.
Without someone managing those details, the responsibility often falls on:
Your parents
Your maid of honor
Your best man
Friends and family
Or even you
Those people deserve to enjoy your wedding too.
Hiring a professional wedding coordinator allows everyone to be fully present instead of worrying about logistics.
Your Wedding Vendors Need Someone to Work With
One thing couples don't always realize is that your vendors need a point of contact.
Throughout the day, your florist, DJ, photographer, caterer, officiant, baker, and venue staff will all have questions.
Instead of interrupting you while you're taking photos or enjoying cocktail hour, they communicate with your coordinator.
This keeps your day running smoothly while allowing you to actually enjoy it.
Wedding Emergencies Happen More Than You Think
Every wedding has something unexpected.
Maybe the florist arrives early.
Maybe transportation is running behind.
Maybe someone forgets the rings.
Maybe the timeline needs to shift because family photos take longer than expected.
Most guests never notice these moments because an experienced wedding coordinator quietly handles them behind the scenes.
That's exactly what we're there for.
Is a Day of Wedding Coordinator Worth It?
We may be a little biased, but absolutely.
You've already invested thousands of dollars into your venue, photographer, catering, entertainment, and décor.
Hiring a coordinator helps protect that investment by making sure everything comes together the way you've envisioned.
Instead of worrying about what comes next, you can focus on what truly matters:
Marrying your best friend.
Why Couples Choose Pretty Little Vows
At Pretty Little Vows, we believe wedding coordination is about more than checking off a timeline.
We're there to calm nerves before you walk down the aisle.
We'll fluff your dress before your entrance.
We'll pin boutonnieres, bustle your gown, keep vendors informed, answer questions, and make sure every detail you've spent months planning comes together beautifully.
Our couples often tell us that having us there allowed them to actually experience their wedding instead of managing it.
That's exactly why we do what we do.
Serving Couples Across Iowa (and Beyond)
Pretty Little Vows is proudly based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and we love serving couples throughout Iowa and beyond. Whether you're planning a wedding in Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Iowa City, Dubuque, Davenport, or anywhere in between, we'd be honored to help make your day as seamless and stress free as possible.
Ready to Enjoy Your Wedding Instead of Running It?
If you're looking for a wedding day coordinator who genuinely cares about your experience, we'd love to be part of your wedding.
At Pretty Little Vows, our mission is simple: to take the stress off your shoulders so you can soak in every laugh, every happy tear, and every unforgettable moment.
Because you only get one wedding day.
You deserve to actually live it.