Marykim and Kris’s Wedding In Corn Country Yields A Bumper Crop!

From the first conversation, the wedding of Marykim and Kris sounded like a fun trip. I’ve never been to Des Moines, Iowa and always hear about corn, corn, corn: much like my home state of Illinois. I was certain there was more to the surroundings than just corn.

Please enjoy, Scott Shaw Photo | Cleveland Wedding Photographer

And there was! There was a very cool sculpture park in downtown Des Moines that will be
featured along with the reception in Part Two of the wedding.

I’ve known Marykim for many years and love her upbeat personality and sense of fun. When
she first shared she was getting married I knew it would be a great wedding. It had also
been many years since I’ve seen her kids, Josh and Sarah, who are now young adults. I was
looking forward to spending time with all of them, and meeting Kris!

The wedding was originally going to be at the bed and breakfast
where she and Kris live and often host scrapbooking retreats. It’s called the Paper Doll House
and is in Sycamore, IL, just west of Chicago. But due to illness Kris’s mother, Dorthy,
was not able to make the journey, so they moved it the Des Moines area where’s he’s from.
On the way to Iowa I stayed at their wonderful 1893 B&B home. What an interesting
history! It was built as a wedding present to Mary Boynton Townsend. Hints of their
wedding are embedded in the architecture of the home: wedding bells and bows embossed
in the hearth and mantle of fireplaces, brass cherubs and bouquets in the crown moldings.
Lovely.

Here’s the wedding ring on the mantle of a bedroom fireplace.

I loved the leaded glass entry way.

The wood throughout the home was great for shoe photos.

The diamond and platinum heart necklace Kris gave to Marykim on their one year Anniversary from when they met.

Then it was on to the Candle Lit Way Wedding Chapel in Dallas Center, Iowa. This 1883 
was purchased by the current owners originally as a home. And many memories related 
to them by previous church members convinced them to do otherwise – they decided to 
use it for weddings.

Sarah was there for her Mother and happy to help her get ready.

Her sister, Kelly and husband Tuyen, spread some petals with the help of their twins 
Vivienne and Henri. The twins had just turned two years old.

Marykim’s son Josh walked her down the aisle.

Danielle, daughter of Chris, and Leslie, friend of Marykim read during the service.

Kris’s best friend, Sheldon performed the ceremony.

Sarah and Marykim’s friends, Karena and Sheila, all were emotional during the ceremony.

Kris gives his mother, Dorthy, a hug after the ceremony.

Stay tuned for the portraits and reception photos soon!

Thank you,

– Scott Shaw Photo | Cleveland Wedding Photographer