bride and groom on a sunny day with fluffy clouds and blue sky

Mr. & Mrs. Meyer | 06.08.2024
The Barn on Heron Hill

The Meyer Wedding was the barn wedding masterpiece that we all knew it would be… they know weddings! Can you imagine my extreme excitement when Heather and Brent reached out to me almost a year and a half ago, as soon as he proposed, to document their wedding day? You betcha! The Groom, Brent, and his sister, Erin, co-own this amazing wedding venue in Northeast Iowa. Heather, the Bride, has stepped in and has been a huge part of the team for years now, too! Heather even runs a small side business called “Barn Bites” and offers cocktail hour nibbles and refreshments as an add-on for weddings hosted at the venue. I am constantly amazed by the Barn on Heron Hill and every detail that makes their wedding experience perfection, and I kid you not when I say every single time I get to photograph here, or even drive by the venue, I always see a new project or update they’re doing! It is so amazing to see passionate people living their dreams and making it all happen. They have all gone above and beyond for every couple that gets married at their gorgeous venue and I’m so excited that they were able to celebrate their very own most perfect day with their closest friends and family.

It was the most gorgeous day, with heavy clouds in the morning that turned into a sunny, fluffy white cloud sky — my favorite! We arrived a bit early to meet up with a new assistant, Rachel; she was so helpful! After introducing the team, we jumped into photographing the details, the last touches of getting ready, and some very special images of Heather’s mom Juli touching up her hair. Juli owned her own salon for many years, and growing up, Heather helped her in the salon, so it was extra-special for her to be able to have that time together on the wedding day. The bridal suite was filled with laughter, tears, tears mixed with laughter, and just overall excitement and joy as the bridesmaids were all getting ready. Zach was on groomsmen duty and I heard the groomsmen were being pretty fun and a little wild while hanging out and getting ready!

The couple decided on a traditional wedding day, so they chose not to see each other before the ceremony. The bride had a first look with her father and it was so precious. We took turns with bridesmaid and groomsmen photos before the ceremony and even managed to capture a few images with the dogs of honor. You know Heather had her fur babies in the ceremony!

The ceremony began with a processional of family, followed by the wedding party, the bride and groom’s sweet puppies, and then the Bride was escorted down the aisle to the gazebo by her father, who blessed the marriage. Then it was a surprise to everyone that the Groom’s best man stepped up to the altar and officiated the ceremony! Another really cool surprise was the “witness lottery.” In the middle of the ceremony, the couple drew names from everyone in attendance to see which two would sign the marriage license. Heather’s aunt was drawn on her side and Brent drew his father’s name. There were hugs, tears, and smiles throughout the ceremony and Brent planted the biggest most PDA kiss I’ve ever seen before walking his wife back down the bubble-filled aisle! (So proud of you, Brent - don’t be mad I shared a picture of you kissing!)

As the guests enjoyed cocktail hour with live music, drinks, snacks, and games, we headed to the lawn for family formals and wedding party portraits. Heather is super organized, detail-oriented, and an awesome planner; in fact all of my brides have been amazing at wedding planning this year! From the get-go, I knew there were certain photographs Heather and Brent specifically wanted in addition to all of the ones we typically get on a wedding day. One of their special requests was for a unique portrait that only they would be able to have at the venue. Can you guess which image it is in the post? After portraits, the wedding party was ready for their grand entrance and it was time to party!

The reception took place in the authentic barn, with tables decorated with linens, candle-lit lanterns from the Something Borrowed Room offered to all couples who choose the Barn on Heron Hill, twinkle lights, and the classic head table. Dinner was absolutely delicious. The toasts were short sweet and hilarious. The couple cut their gorgeous cake and no one got too messy! They then did a guessing game on the dance floor, and no one got too messy then, either! Instead of going straight into their first dance, Brent shocked Erin and had her come out for a special dance. His sister Aubree joined as the DJ played the most-heard first dance song of the last decade — can you guess what it was? Then the couple took the floor for their first dance as “Mr. and Mrs. Meyer.” The bride also danced with her father and grandfather. It was so sweet and I loved how they mixed up the traditional elements and made them their own. Just before sunset, we headed outside for a few last glowy portraits and the awesome DJ kept the party moving and grooving into the night.

The bride and groom wrapped up the night with late night snacks and a shuttle bus provided to their guests hotel. I love how every detail provided maximum fun for their guests who traveled from far and wide to be there on their special day in beautiful rural Iowa.

Although the couple will be receiving a gallery link with literally thousands of images from their day, I thought I’d share some of my favorite images from the Meyer Wedding Day. Enjoy!

Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Meyer!

Brent and Heather, I cannot thank you enough for all of your support through the years, and for your utmost trust in providing you with your wedding day photography. I hope you look back at this day with laughter, happy tears, and warmth in your hearts. I can’t wait to see you again soon… I’ll be in your neck of the woods a few more times yet this wedding season. Hooray!

xo
Jillian

Getting to be one of the vendors for this wedding was such an honor and I sincerely hope to work with all of these Amazing Vendors again soon:

Venue: The Barn on Heron Hill
Decor: Something Borrowed Room at Barn on Heron Hill
Hair: Hair by Alissa & The Bride’s Mom, JuliAnne Scully
Makeup: Dawn Medberry-JEM Salon & Spa
Florals: Elkader Floral Shop
Stationary Invitations: Designs by Faith
Wedding Catering: Edgewood Catering and Event Center
Rehearsal Dinner Catering: Johnson's Restaurant & Reception Hall
Cocktail Hour Catering: Barn Bites
Dessert: Nothin bundt Cakes
Wedding Cake: Sprinkled Confections
Cocktail Hour Live Music:
DJ: Ben Atlas Entertainment QC
Shuttle: Rolling Thunder

Photography by Jillian Herrmann | JWebbArt.com
Second Shot by Zach, Assisted by Rachel

A very special shoutout to my husband, Zach. He’s my forever wedding date, my partner, and will always be my number one teammate. Thanks for all you have done to help grow the business through the years. You are so appreciated. And a special shoutout to my newest teammate, Rachel! Rachel, you slayed — is that the hip young term we use these days!? :) Seriously, you were all hands on deck and did an incredible job by my side all day long! I’m so excited to have your help and grateful for you!