A Modern-Minimalist Wedding at Little Lights on the Lane in West Branch, Iowa

When high school sweethearts Sam Blood and Ben Christansen planned their nuptials, they focused on modern minimalism with a touch of romance. Everything from the simple invitations to the wedding cake was tied together with a black and white color palette. The ceremony took place in front of a showstopping wall of windows. Sam, Ben and their officiant were positioned in front of a circular wedding arch, while the wedding party flanked them on either side. Calligraphed black and white signs, simple lanterns and candles also accented the sleek loft space. Sam stunned in a strapless satin ball gown with a belt to cinch her waist. She and the bridesmaids (who slipped into sleek black dresses) wore their hair down in loose curls and finished their looks with natural makeup. To stand apart from his groomsmen in black suits, Ben wore a plush velvet dinner jacket and checkered gingham pants. "He looked amazing, and we received so many compliments on his look," Sam says. At the reception, menus on white chargers explained the dinner selections, and greenery centerpieces added natural color. "We were blessed to have a beautiful venue that didn't require a ton of décor to transform it. For us, that meant we could focus in on all the little details and leave traces of our personality throughout the space," Sam says. Guests admired a fondant wedding cake tied with black ribbon, and they dug into sweet treats at a doughnut bar...