1. Real Weddings

A Classic, Whimsical Wedding at the Michael J. Manatt Community Center in Brooklyn, Iowa

rn When it came to planning their wedding, Jordan Storck (25 and a high school social studies teacher) and David Pope (25 and a pow

rn When it came to planning their wedding, Jordan Storck (25 and a high school social studies teacher) and David Pope (25 and a power lineman) kept things local, gathering their families and friends in their home, Williamsburg, Iowa. The day started with a traditional ceremony at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, which David had attended every Sunday growing up, followed by an evening of celebrating at the Michael J. Manatt Community Center in Brooklyn, Iowa. The classic, understated styles of the ceremony and reception venues served as a blank slate for Jordan and David to infuse with their own personal flair. They looked to a bright, cheerful palette of peach, gray, gold and pink to bring energy and life to the decor. A subtle black-and-white-stripe motif was woven throughout the day, introducing a playful, preppy note to everything from the bouquets to the candles that lined the reception tables. The centerpieces fused modern and vintage-inspired styles with bud vases filled with vibrant pink and peach blooms placed side by side with floating candles in sleek cylindrical vessels. Jordan and David skipped cocktail hour and kicked off the evening’s celebrations with a traditional Midwestern meal, complete with party potatoes, corn and green bean casserole served alongside roast beef and chicken parmigiana. The couple treated guests to an assortment of cupcakes in chocolate, vanilla, raspberry and lemon before making their way to the dance floor to dance the night away to the sounds of Ultimate Entertainment. 

To set the tone for the wedding, Jordan and David enlisted the help of Paper Dainty, an Etsy vendor based in Edmonton, Alberta, to create invitations with a simple, classic vibe. The final design was the perfect fit, with a laurel wreath monogram and calligraphy-style script lending the stationery a rustic vibe, while a black-and-white scheme felt traditional and refined.
Black-and-White-Striped Bridal Shoes
To complete her look, Jordan paired her elegant lace Allure gown with a few vintage-inspired touches. She adorned her low updo with a delicate birdcage veil and a rhinestone brooch. For jewelry, she wore a pair of pearl stud earrings that once belonged to her grandmother.
When it came to their wedding day attire, Jordan and David kept things classic with a subtly modern edge. For her dress, Jordan selected an elegant Allure design in a fit-and-flare silhouette. From the front the dress was all timeless, feminine elegance with a boat neck and delicate lace from head-to-toe, but the back boasted a dramatic V-neckline that gave the dress a contemporary touch.
Flowers were an important component of the wedding’s overall design and the florists at House of Flowers didn’t disappoint. For the ceremony, they created a lush bouquet of peach and white blooms like roses, ranunculus, peonies and anemones for Jordan to carry down the aisle. The arrangements were the perfect reflection of the day’s playful contemporary-meets-classic design with the mix of traditional and more modern blooms.
The bridesmaid dresses captured the essence of the cheerful, spring affair with each woman walking down the aisle in an airy, peach-colored number by Jasmine B2. The strapless dresses’ lightweight chiffon fabric ensured the girls would be comfortable throughout the day and they could dance the night away with ease.
Classic Gray and Black Groomsmen Suits
Rose, Peony and Stock Ceremony Arrangements
Jordan and David kicked off the wedding’s festivities with a traditional ceremony at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Williamsburg, Iowa. The location held sentimental meaning because David went there growing up, but it was also in the place where they had made a home together. “We live in Williamsburg and most of our family lives in the area, so it was important to us to get married at home surrounded by our family,” Jordan says.
A black-and-white-stripe motif was woven throughout the day, introducing a playful, preppy note to everything from the bouquets to the candles that lined the reception tables. “Before I chose a color palette for our wedding, I knew I wanted to incorporate black-and-white stripes into the wedding, even if just a small touch,” Jordan says.
After the ceremony, the couple and their guests sat down to a traditional Midwestern meal, complete with party potatoes, roast beef, green bean casserole and chicken parmigiana. For dessert, Jordan and David decided to forgo the classic wedding cake, opting instead for an assortment of perfectly frosted cupcakes, in chocolate, vanilla, raspberry and lemon, from Scratch Cupcakery.
Whimsical Handmade Wedding Sign
Although Jordan and David didn’t have a particular theme in mind when they started the planning process, what emerged out of their design decisions was a playful, modern-meets-classic affair with a subtle vintage undertone. For the reception, the couple combined contemporary and vintage-inspired styles with bud vases filled with vibrant pink and peach blooms placed side by side with floating candles in sleek cylindrical vessels on each table.