Deanna’s Note: We have been so lucky to not only have Ellie as our dear Branch Manager / Lead Planner + Designer the last 4!!! years, but we are so honored to say we were also able to be her wedding planners on her beautiful early September wedding day in Pella, IA.
As Iowa State University alums, Ellie and I were connected through the Event Management program. I had no idea 4.5 years ago that I’d be making the most important hire of my life! Since then, Ellie has been such a huge part of the team and has only made OBEC better, so this post happens to be extremely special to us!
We don’t typically get this much access to our brides, so it is with great joy that we share Ellie and Peyton’s beautiful day with you, from her brain! Read on to learn more about her laid-back, countryside prairie tented wedding with personalized details galore (as you can only expect from an amazing wedding designer!)
Our Wedding Vision
Planning our wedding with the Olive Branch Events team by my side was a dream! After working for Olive Branch for several years, being passionate about wedding design and serving our couples, I had many dreams of how our wedding day would go. We wanted our day to be a bright, playful, and heartfelt celebration, true to the people and things we love. We both live in Wisconsin now, but knew we wanted to have our wedding where are roots are in Iowa. Rolling hills, grazing cattle, and a pond for the backdrop, we knew we were in the perfect spot at Hickory Terrace in Pella, Iowa, where our dream of a Midwest tented wedding came to life.
Our goal was to create a day that felt unmistakably us – a celebration surrounded by our family and friends, filled with personal touches that reflect who we are as a couple. We opted for a backyard affair with food trucks, a colorful palette, and cosmos and daisies galore. Every element of our wedding day was backed by so much intention and personal touch, making the day a true reflection of us and the people we love.
All the Personal Touches
When envisioning our wedding celebration, we wanted the day to be a true reflection of our story, honoring the people and places that mean the most to us. Every detail was chosen with heartfelt intention, as we believe the most memorable weddings are those that feel authentic to the couple and their journey. Some of our favorite personal touches included:
- Stationery and Custom Map – We worked with one of our friends, Beta to create a custom map of Pella featuring sentimental locations like Riverview Springers, where we got our dog, Gyda, and our top three favorite spots in Pella: George’s Pizza, Windmill Cafe, and the Peanut Pub. We turned this map into postcards for our guest book, inviting guests to leave heartfelt messages. Custom matchbooks for our cigar bar also had a mini map on it!
- Placecards + Menus – Bride and Groom tags and place cards at the kings table are a nod to the flags on the sailcloth tent. There was a personal menu and ticket for each person based on what meal they RSVPd for – under each ticket was the phrase “love at first bite.”
- Meaningful Desserts – The ice cream for our wedding was from Birdsall’s, the ice cream shop owned by my dad and stepmom. Birdsall’s is a beloved small-town gem in Mason City, and it’s been a part of my life for as long as I can remember—I even served it at my high school graduation party! For the other desserts, we incorporated Dutch treats from Pella as a tribute to Peyton’s hometown. Our selection included some of our favorites: Dutch letters, donut holes, St. Nick Cookies, and beautifully decorated Delft-inspired cookies.
- First Dance & Seating Chart Theme – Peyton and I’s first dance was to “Joy of My Life” by Chris Stapleton. We danced last of the first dances because we wanted to invite all of our friends and family to the dance floor with us. This was symbolic to us because we feel all of our friends and family are the “joy of our lives.” As an additional nod to the song, our seating chart said “you are the joy of our lives” to bring the concept full circle.
- Vow Reading – For our vow reading, we sat on a quilt that Peyton’s grandma lovingly made for him when he was young
- Food Trucks – One of the food trucks was Es Tas – a nod to one of our favorite establishments when we went to school in Ames (Go Cyclones!)
- Ceremony Blessing – During our ceremony, my best friend Morgan sang The Blessing as our immediate family and bridal party placed their hands on us to bless our marriage. This moment was deeply meaningful to us and created a lasting memory that we, along with our guests, will always cherish.
- Truck Shoot – The truck we did our cowboy shoot in was Peyton’s high school truck with the banner “I’ll Love Ya ‘Til My Lungs Give Out” (one of our favorite songs) on the back
- DIY Details – From the custom bar featuring a star pattern to escort cards, signage, and wood bead garlands, we poured so much love into DIY projects to make the day unique. Fun phrases throughout were incorporated like “it’s not a party until the cops show up” as a nod to the cops (Peyton is a police officer!)
Design Elements We Loved
Some of my favorite design elements of the day were the natural wood and wicker materials, peach candles, gingham napkins, garden chairs, flag place cards as a nod to the tent’s flags, and parasols for both shade and photo moments. The flatlay featured hand-picked stamps, daisies I pressed from my bridal shower, and the star pattern from the handmade bars. All of these elements came together to create a bright, playful, and colorful celebration. The overall design blended natural materials with a warm, earthy color palette, crafting an atmosphere that was both sophisticated and inviting. The result was a wedding that felt thoughtfully curated, joyful, and full of personality.
Heartfelt Moments We’ll Never Forget
One of the greatest joys of the day was having Peyton’s sister, Kyndal, as our photographer. Spending the ins and outs of the day with her by our side made everything feel even more special. When reflecting on our day, one of our favorite memories would be the blessing sung by my friend Morgan during the ceremony. As our immediate family and bridal party placed their hands on us to offer their blessings, we were overcome with an overwhelming sense of love. Standing there with the person I love, surrounded by the prayers and support of those closest to us, was one of the most powerful moments of the day and having Morgan sing the blessing made it all the more meaningful to me.
Our ceremony began under an overcast sky, and just as it ended, a gentle sprinkle of rain fell. Shortly after, the sun broke through and as we shared celebratory hugs, we walked up the hill to find ourselves surrounded by dragonflies—so many that you couldn’t help but wonder about their significance. One of our second shooters, Carter, was just as amazed and later told us that dragonflies symbolize new beginnings and are a sign of love from those who have passed. Knowing that, and seeing them in such abundance, felt like a deeply meaningful and personal sign, adding yet another layer of beauty to an already unforgettable day.
Advice for Future Brides
If I could offer one piece of advice, it would be this: make your wedding day an authentic reflection of you and your partner. Create a celebration that feels personal and meaningful—one that includes your favorite people and elements that represent your unique story as a couple. Don’t be afraid to stray from tradition if it feels right for you. Whether it’s a food truck dinner, a blessing ceremony, or custom maps and postcards, let your personalities shine through in every detail. Focus on what truly matters to you, and make your day an authentic celebration of your love.
Final Thoughts
Our wedding at Hickory Terrace in Pella, Iowa, was everything we dreamed it would be—bright, playful, heartfelt, and filled with love. It truly felt like a celebration of not just us as a couple, but the people and places that shaped our story. If you’re considering a Midwest tented wedding, Hickory Terrace offers the perfect blend of natural beauty and customizable space to create something truly unique.
We couldn’t have done it without the amazing team at Olive Branch Events Co. From planning to design, they helped bring our vision to life and made the process so seamless. If you’re dreaming of a wedding that’s personal, heartfelt, and unforgettable, Olive Branch Events Co. will make it happen.
Vendor Team
Planning + Design: Ellie | Coordination: Olive Branch Events Co.
Venue: Hickory Terrace (Pella, IA)
Photography: Kyndal Elise (Ellie’s sister-in-law!)
Videography: Whitney Films
Florals: Shelly Sarver
Tent: Milestone Event Rental
Rentals: Pella Rental and Borrow My Vintage
Bar: Your Private Bar
Restrooms: A King’s Throne
DJ: A Personal Touch
Signage, bar, stationery: Custom map: Beta DeFlorian, day-of signage DIY – Bride / Ellie
Food trucks: 515 Pi, Es Tas, and Charlotte’s Kitchen
HMUA: Powder Studio
