March 2, 2020

Rapid Creek Cidery Wedding in the Summer | Mr and Mrs Josten

This Rapid Creek Cidery Wedding in Summer was so dreamy!  You may remember Nick and Jody from their engagement session by the lake, which you can view here.  With a soft color palette of pale lavender, blush and cream, the design of the day was so romantic.  The rustic vibe of Rapid Creek set it all off so perfectly.  Jody found me through her coworker (see her wedding day here) and it was such an honor for her to love my work enough to choose me as her wedding photographer!

As if the day itself wasn’t romantic enough, just wait until you read about their love story.  Grab some tissues if you are a sap like me.

“We were next door neighbors and met on the school bus in junior high. From there, we grew up together. We were best friends in high school, and went to prom together! After college we lost track of each other for awhile- we both moved pretty far away. Jody was in Portland, Oregon and Nick was in upstate New York. One Christmas, years ago, we reconnected when we were both back home visiting family. Turns out- we reconnected at a bar! Jody saw Nick from across the room (after 10 years of not talking) and immediately started crying. It was really that night we knew something was brewing. Long story short- we started dating long distance and ended up moving back to Iowa City where it all began. Our parents still live two doors down from each other on Hickory Trail.”

Venue: Rapid Creek Cidery

Florals: E’s Florals

Cake: Deluxe Cakes & Pastries 

Dress: Brides by Jessa 

Hair and Makeup: Wavelength Salon 

DJ: Music Connection

 

white wedding dress hangs on barnwood paneled wall

close up of bridal shoes and jewelry at Rapid Creek Cidery

Wedding rings inside a white rose.

close up of invitation sweet and wedding rings inside a rose

The couple gave out a custom mix cd of important songs to them as wedding favors. It included some of their favorites, songs that reminded them of loved ones and even Nick’s parents’ wedding song.

A bride waits as her mother buttons up the back of her gown in the bridal suite at Rapid Creek Cidery

A mother buttons her daughter's wedding gown and assists her with putting on her shoes in the bridal suite of Rapid Creek Cidery

A bridesmaids puts the bride's veil on in the bridal suite of Rapid Creek Cidery

A groom waits to see his bride. In the background, you can see the bride and her bridesmaids walking down a brightly sunlit paved path.

 

Groom turns to see his bride for the first time at Rapid Creek Cidery.

Groom turns to see his bride for the first time at Rapid Creek Cidery.

Groom embraces his bride for the first time after seeing her at their first look at Rapid Creek Cidery.

A bride and groom exchange gifts on their wedding day outside at Rapid Creek Cidery.

The couple exchanged gifts after their first look.  I love their smiles as they look at the illustrated mug Jody gave Nick that includes their pups.  It was a nice way of including their pets in their special day!

A bride and groom exchange gifts on their wedding day outside at Rapid Creek Cidery.

A bride and groom exchange gifts on their wedding day outside at Rapid Creek Cidery.

Bride and groom pose together under a giant willow tree on the property of Rapid Creek Cidery in Iowa City.

Here I am at the willow tree again.  Can you blame me, though??

Bride and groom pose together under a giant willow tree on the property of Rapid Creek Cidery in Iowa City.

Bride and groom pose together in the orchard on the property of Rapid Creek Cidery in Iowa City.

Bride and groom pose together in the orchard on the property of Rapid Creek Cidery in Iowa City. They lean in for a kiss with their backs facing the camera.

Bride and groom pose together in the orchard on the property of Rapid Creek Cidery in Iowa City.

Bride and groom pose together in the orchard on the property of Rapid Creek Cidery in Iowa City.

Bride and groom kiss in the orchard on the property of Rapid Creek Cidery.

Groom poses with his laughing groomsmen at the outdoor ceremony location of Rapid Creek Cidery.

Bride poses with bridesmaids at the outdoor ceremony location of Rapid Creek Cidery.

Bride poses at the altar at the outdoor ceremony location of Rapid Creek Cidery.

Wide view of the outdoor ceremony space at Rapid Creek Cidery in Iowa City.

One of my favorite things about Rapid Creek Cidery’s outdoor ceremony site is that it is shaded for afternoon weddings!  I can’t tell you how rare that it and it is such an important thing to consider when choosing a wedding date that has potential for being very hot.

Floral decor at ceremony of pale pink and cream flowers designed by E's Florals in Solon, IA.

E’s Florals killed it with their floral design!

A string quartet plays during ceremony at Rapid Creek Cidery.

The bride walks down the paved path escorted by her mother and father at her outdoor wedding ceremony at Rapid Creek Cidery.

The groom and his brother are seen smiling as they watch his bride walk down the aisle.

The bride smiles as she walks down the aisle toward her groom with her mother and father at Rapid Creek Cidery.

Outdoor summer ceremony under a giant oak tree at Rapid Creek Cidery in Iowa City.

Outdoor summer ceremony under a giant oak tree at Rapid Creek Cidery in Iowa City.

Outdoor summer ceremony under a giant oak tree at Rapid Creek Cidery in Iowa City.

Outdoor summer ceremony under a giant oak tree at Rapid Creek Cidery in Iowa City.

Outdoor summer ceremony under a giant oak tree at Rapid Creek Cidery in Iowa City.

Outdoor summer ceremony under a giant oak tree at Rapid Creek Cidery in Iowa City.

The first kiss under a giant oak tree at the outdoor ceremony site at Rapid Creek Cidery in Iowa City.

Outdoor summer ceremony under a giant oak tree at Rapid Creek Cidery in Iowa City.

Reception table decor of greenery and pale pink flowers by E's Flowers at Rapid Creek Cidery.

The interior of Rapid Creek Cidery’s event space is so cozy.  The barn wood always warms up the atmosphere.  Jody and Nick chose Rapid Creek largely because the food is out of this world.  They have the best food, hands down.

Reception table decor of greenery and pale pink flowers by E's Flowers at Rapid Creek Cidery.

A simple white wedding cake on turquoise cake stand with delicate pink flowers. A cursive metal "love" sign sits on top.

Such a lovely, simple cake from Deluxe Cakes & Pastries.

Reception table decor of greenery and pale pink flowers by E's Flowers at Rapid Creek Cidery.

Each place setting had a menu for the evening and a custom mix cd from the couple.

Bride and groom share their first dance with their guests at their wedding reception at Rapid Creek Cidery.

Jody and Nick invited their guests to join them for their first dance.  I love the unconventional choices they made to really make their guests feel important in the celebration.

Bride and groom share their first dance with their guests at their wedding reception at Rapid Creek Cidery.

Bride and groom share their first dance with their guests at their wedding reception at Rapid Creek Cidery.

Bride and groom cut their cake at Rapid Creek Cidery.

Bride and Groom with their best man and bridesmaid demonstrate the "shotski" at their wedding reception at Rapid Creek Cidery.

Had to demonstrate their custom “shotski”!

Bride and groom dancing with their guests at their wedding reception at Rapid Creek Cidery.

Bride and groom dancing with their guests at their wedding reception at Rapid Creek Cidery.

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