1. Real Weddings

Abby & Scott: A Formal Wedding in Des Moines, IA

Abby Purnhage and Scott Siepmann's wedding date itself was something old and something borrowed -- the mother of the bride's birthday and the bride's

Abby Purnhage and Scott Siepmann's wedding date itself was something old and something borrowed -- the mother of the bride's birthday and the bride's own baptism. (Nothing blue at all about the day, though!) The Bride Abby Elizabeth Purnhage, 26, marketing executive The Groom Scott Randall Siepmann, 27, orthopedic sales The Date August 28 Abby and Scott were high school sweethearts... kind of. They first met at a leadership conference for high school seniors but didn't see each other again until seven months later when they were both on spring break in Clearwater Beach, Florida. They started dating soon after. On Abby's birthday, Scott gave her a gift plus something extra --an engagement ring! He placed it on top of dozens of rose petals he used to fill a hand-carved jewelry box. I don't remember a single thing after opening the box, says Abby. After 7 1/2 years together, I thought I'd be able to tell when he was going to propose, but this shocked me. For their special day, champagne and ivory were the presiding colors along with all white flowers. Abby had a graphic designer friend combine the two letters of their last names, S and P, and used that monogram throughout the wedding.

The Mother of the Bride
The Bride
Abby has always been a tulip woman, so she carried white tulips, white calla lilies, stephanotis and lilies of the valley wrapped in ribbon with an S monogramm. Events 2XS decorated the room with white sheer fabric and ivory fabric backdrops, a silver organdy canopy, and centerpieces that included large white calla lilies, curly willows, white roses and white orchids
The Ceremony Decor
The Invitation
The Ceremony
I fell in love with the very first dress I tried on, says Abby. The strapless Judd Waddell design was pearl white with a tiny pewter ribbon at the waistline. She borrowed her veil was from her college roommate who got two weeks before. As I was leaving her reception, she pulled off her veil, handed it to me and said 'Here's your something borrowed!' It was a great wedding gift, says Abby.
The Reception Decor
The Reception Decor
Family history played a major role in this traditional Catholic ceremony wedding. To start, the wedding date is Abby's mom's birthday and the date Abby was baptized. Both Abby and Scott's baptismal candles were used in the ceremony. Abby and Scott used the same readings that Abby's parents had used at their wedding more than 30 years ago.