Walnut Woods Wedding | Kristy & Rogan Roosa

Kristy & Rogan are married!! 

Leading up to Saturday, we were checking the weather ever hour on the hour. There was a 60% chance of rain from 12pm-6pm, the exact time that Kristy & Rogan had me booked for their wedding day. Needless to say we were a bit nervous because the wedding was all outdoors. Well guess what..?? It didn't rain :) Well okay, it rained a little bit, but just enough to use our cute umbrellas for a few photos. 

Kristy and Rogan are emotional beings, and knowing that, they didn't want to say their vows in front of everyone at their ceremony, because well.. they wouldn't have been able to get their sweet words out. So they decided to say their vows after their first look on a small private beach in Walnut Woods State Park in Des Moines, Iowa.

Now, me also being an emotional being, it was hard for even me to keep it together for their vows!! Everything about it was so beautiful and intimate. It was exactly what they wanted it to be! Their whole wedding day was full of love, family and friends, and a laid back vibe that made everyone feel comfortable and full of love.

Kristy had asked her dad to make a wine box for their unity ceremony. What he delivered blew away everyone! He made this detailed and exquisite "box" equipped with wine glasses, a bottle of wine, shooters, a photo album that showed the making of their wine box, AND secret locking pins to lock the drawer they will keep their letters they wrote to each other in. It was the most careful creating of love I have ever seen, and Kristy's reaction says it all :) 

Their ceremony was performed by their friend Tina, who did an absolute amazing job!!! There were laughs and there were tears, but in the end there was nothing but love. 

We ended the night with a casual Champagne shower, which was absolutely epic!!! This must turn into a thing at every wedding :)

Kristy and Rogan are the sweetest people and were so much fun to work with. I know I say this every wedding or engagement shoot, but I really mean it: I have the best clients and I am so pumped that I got the chance to capture their special moments. I get such a rush shooting couples and capturing their love and telling their stories. :)

Until next time,

Hannah!

Des Moines, Iowa | Summer Wedding | Emily & Jacob

Emily & Jacob are married!! I had such an amazing time shooting their wedding and hanging out with their awesome family and wedding party!! 

Sweet words about Emily and Jacob's love story 

from the bride | 

When I first met Jacob I knew he was a good one. He was kind and thoughtful and really listened to everything I had to say. Our first meeting was at a bar in Pella. He came up and started talking to me and then we danced the night away. Honestly with alcohol involved there isn’t much we remember. Jacob texted me the next day asking me on a date. We set it up and decided on going to a movie. We went to ‘The Intern’. It was a great movie but the conversation Jacob and I had for 5 hours afterward was even better. We stood in that movie parking lot and got to know one another. This conversation affirmed my opinion. Jacob was perfect. From then on our relationship moved fast, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. We moved in together about 6 months in and this allowed us to know 100% that we could make it together forever. After 1.5 years together Jacob and I decided it was time to buy a house. We picked one and we were ready to move in, but first we had some painting to do. Jacob woke up early one morning and told me he was going for a run, but he actually headed over to our new house and painted some words on the wall. I had no clue this was going on. We arrived to the house before our families, who were coming to help us paint. Jacob told me he had something to show me upstairs. I opened the door to our soon to be bedroom and saw the words “I love you” .. so cute!! But then I turn around and see Jacob on one knee and the words “will you marry me” on the wall behind him... freaking adorbale! My heart melted and I managed to say yes and then we celebrated when our families arrived. It was perfect!!

I love his thoughtfulness and kindness. He truely and deeply cares about every person in his life. He is an amazing listener. He is also super weird and hilarious.

from the groom | 

Emily and I went to the same small college for three years together but it wasn't until after college that we met.  We were both back in Pella for Homecoming the year after Emily graduated.  Some friends and I were hanging out at the bar when Emily and her friends walked in.  Emily caught my eye right away due to how beautiful she is.  I was super nervous to go talk to her but I did and not too long after, we were on the dance floor for the rest of the night.  I'm sure it was an absolutely wonderful night but it was kind of a blur due to too much liquid courage. I could feel that she was special the first night I met her.  Our first official date was going to a movie ("The Intern") but it was what happened after the movie that made the night so memorable. We talked in the parking lot until 3:00 am getting to know each other.  I couldn't get enough of her and so we went on multiple dates soon after and took a couple trips to Chicago and Kansas City together.  Next thing we know, we were moving in together after 6 months of dating. It felt so good to live with my best friend and the person that I was in love with! We decided to buy a house after a year of living in our apartment.  Emily and I coordinated a paint day with our family members.  What Emily didn't know is that I had a little something extra up my sleeve (or in my back pocket) and a very important question for her.  I had painted a few words on our future bedroom walls that morning (I told her I was going on a 9 mile run for our half-marathon training). Right before our family got to our place, I told Emily I wanted to show her something upstairs. We walked into our bedroom and she saw the words, "I love you", on one wall.  When she turned around, I was down on one knee and the words, "Will you marry me?", were on the wall behind me.  I nervously said how much I loved her and asked her to be my wife and...... SHE SAID YES!

I love how caring and hard-working she is.  I love how outrageously beautiful she is.  I love how she always makes me smile and laugh.  I love how smart and thoughtful she is.  I love that she has such a passion to teach her first grade students.

If that doesn't melt your heart, I hope these photos do :) 

Enjoy!

Photographer |  Hannah Ampe Photography

Videographer | Grafted Film and Images

Florals | HyVee

Cake | Katie Kooienga 

DJ | MandM

Venue | West Des Moines Marriott

Hair & Makeup | Salon Vici

Dress | Bridal Boutique

Summer Iowa Wedding | McKenzie & Clayton

Clayton and McKenzie's wedding was perfect :) They got married at the Rose Garden in State Center, IA and had their reception at the lovely Gatherings in Nevada, IA. I could say so much about these people and this day, but I will let the photos speak for themselves on this one!

Sarah + Blake | Minnesota Winter Wedding

Where to start.. Well, I am finally getting around to blogging about Sarah and Blake's wedding. Currently writing in Puerto Varas, Chile where it is 75 and sunny. Much needed warmth after the windy chills from Southern Patagonia. I have loved traveling, but I am missing my clients and shooting weddings like Sarah and Blake's!! I cannot wait to see what this year brings for weddings and engagements for Hannah Ampe Photography :)

Okay, now on to the happy couple;

Sarah and Blake had an amazing wedding on November 24th, 2017. It was 50 degrees... so not the snow we were hoping for, but The Grands at Mulligans made up for it with their beautiful venue! The pops of red and plaid were perfect against the deep colored woods of the venue. LOVED IT!

It was an emotional day for everyone. Not only was Sarah getting married and going through all the normal emotions of a wedding day, but she had to go through it without her father, who had recently passed away from cancer. I was very impressed and admired Sarah's courage and tenacity during the day and in her life. Her and her family are truly an inspiration to look up to. And then there is Blake, the most caring and laid back groom I've ever worked with. His reaction when he turned around to Sarah for their first look was something I will never forget, and neither will they.

All in all it was a beautiful day, full of love and joy. I feel so grateful to have worked with Sarah and Blake and their families :)  Also, I don't think anyone has ever had a better cake cutting before these two!

Here are my favorite photos of the day.

Enjoy :) 

Grundy Center, IA | Karissa & Grant

Cheers to Karissa & Grant Stein