TGIF | Iowa Wedding Photographer

TGIF :: It’s Friday.  Get fired up.

V & I are in Iowa City at the moment, meeting with a couple about their August 2014 wedding.  Last night, we spent several hours touring the adorable, midwestern, small-town-big-heart city, and we were super impressed.

First, Iowa City is a college town, playing host to the University of Iowa, so the vibe is young (something I’m appreciating more as I get older!).  The Pedestrian Mall (“Ped Mall”) is bustling with shops & restaurants (and, so I’m told, live music during the summer), and I was surprised to see lots of people out & about despite these Vortex temperatures.  Some of my favorite spots included the twinkle lights along the brick walk, the “small plate bistro” Share (the menu is so fabulous & unique), and the Bread Garden Market (ridiculously chic grocery store/cafe).  And driving past the University fitness center almost knocked us out of our seats — it’s THE nicest gym I’ve ever seen in my life [I’m serious — click here to read more].

And though older architecture is abundant (especially in the charming homes around the downtown center), there’s also a super sophisticated feel to the new construction, particularly due to the University influence (science buildings, the Hospital) and reconstruction following 2008’s devastating flooding.

Iowa Wedding Photographer

Anyway, I’ll write more another day about Iowa City, but the most important thing to note in this post is how excited we are to be spending time with Kim & John.  I’m pretty fired up to post more later about their story, their wedding, and my relationship with them (Kim was my roommate for 3 years in Chicago).  They are two of the most genuine — and genuinely perfect for one another — people you’ll ever meet.  While Kim & I had a blast during our single years, there’s also something so special about the chance to sit down with her, both our fellas at our sides, and enjoy being (essentially) old married biddies.

And now… off to meet the wedding planner AND SEE THE DRESS!!