Salisbury House & Gardens Wedding, Ashlyn & Troy
Nestled in the heart of Des Moines, the stunning Salisbury House & Gardens served as the extraordinary backdrop for Ashlyn & Troy’s intimate, elegant celebration. This 1920s manor-turned-wedding-venue offers timeless architecture, lush gardens, and endless photo opportunities — and it proved the perfect canvas for their heartfelt day. Below, we walk through each key moment of their wedding: decor, bridal party, ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception — weaving in venue details and the unique personal touches that made their day unforgettable.
Located in the heart of Des Moines, Salisbury House & Gardens is one of Iowa’s most iconic wedding venues — known for its historic architecture, manicured gardens, and one-of-a-kind European estate atmosphere. Built in the 1920s and inspired by the King’s House in Salisbury, England, the mansion features Tudor and Gothic-style design, grand stonework, carved wood interiors, and sprawling lawn spaces that make it a dream setting for luxury weddings and elegant outdoor events.
Couples who choose Salisbury House & Gardens have endless options for photos and event flow. The estate includes multiple ceremony locations, terraces shaded by mature trees, private garden pathways, breathtaking indoor rooms, and a stunning Great Hall. Whether hosting a tented reception under the stars or an indoor celebration among historic architecture, every space feels romantic, timeless, and cinematic.
One of the reasons Salisbury House is such a sought-after Des Moines wedding venue is the guest experience. The estate is quiet, private, and tucked away — but still just minutes from downtown, hotels, and local attractions. Guests are free to explore the grounds, enjoy cocktail hour on the terrace, or admire the museum-quality details inside the mansion. Every corner of this venue feels intentional and picturesque, which is why so many Iowa wedding photographers love shooting here.
For couples wanting a venue that feels classic, elegant, and European-inspired without leaving the Midwest, Salisbury House & Gardens is one of the most unique wedding venues in Iowa. From tented receptions and outdoor ceremonies to intimate elopements and sunset portraits, it offers a luxury wedding setting that simply can’t be replicated anywhere else in Des Moines.
Decorating the Salisbury House & Gardens
Ashlyn & Troy’s wedding décor transformed the historic grounds of Salisbury House & Gardens in Des Moines into a dreamy open-air garden reception. Beneath a billowing ivory tent with soft draping and sheer panels, guests stepped into a scene that felt straight out of a European estate wedding — elegant, airy, and overflowing with floral detail.
Long family-style tables filled the lawn, each dressed in crisp white linens and finished with gold-rimmed chargers, vintage-style flatware, and pastel goblets in soft pinks, blues, and greens. The mixed-glassware details brought a playful, romantic touch that paired beautifully with the historic Tudor architecture of Salisbury House, creating a balance of old-world charm and modern luxury.
Down each table ran lush, garden-style floral arrangements featuring blush roses, buttery spray roses, pale blue hydrangea, and touches of soft greenery — echoing the manicured gardens of the venue itself. Gold taper candles flickered throughout the tablescape, adding warmth and highlighting the textured floral centerpieces as the sun began to set.
At the head of the tent, flowing draped fabric created a statement backdrop adorned with towering urn arrangements, tying the entire dinner setting together. The aesthetic felt elegant but inviting — refined enough for an estate wedding, yet intimate enough to feel personal, romantic, and uniquely “them.”
Every detail worked harmoniously with the historic wedding venue: the cream textiles mirrored the limestone exterior, the pastel palette softened the dramatic nature of the grounds, and the candlelight made the reception glow as evening settled across Salisbury House & Gardens.
“I Do” at Salisbury House & Gardens
Ashlyn and Troy chose to host their ceremony outdoors at Salisbury House & Gardens, surrounded by towering trees, lush greenery, and the timeless architecture that makes this Des Moines wedding venue so unique. The ceremony space was intentionally designed to feel soft, elegant, and garden-inspired — perfectly aligned with the historic estate setting.
Guests were welcomed with a custom vintage-style welcome sign accented by pastel florals and personalized monogram blocks featuring the couple’s initials. Every design detail felt intentional and elevated, blending romantic décor with the natural beauty of the venue.
The aisle was lined with clusters of blooms in blush, soft peach, and dusty blue, creating a floral-lined pathway leading to the altar. White chairs were decorated with ivory satin bows, keeping the look classic while tying into the couple’s pastel color palette. The ceremony altar featured white pedestal plinths topped with overflowing urn arrangements — a perfect frame against the wooded backdrop of Salisbury House’s grounds.
As guests sat beneath the shade of tall trees, many held parasols to stay cool — a charming touch that also made the ceremony feel like a European garden celebration. Surrounded by their closest family and friends, the couple exchanged vows in a setting that felt lush, intimate, and peaceful.
With sunshine filtering through the trees and florals blooming all around, the ceremony felt timeless, romantic, and uniquely personal — the exact type of outdoor wedding Salisbury House and Gardens is known for. The natural beauty of the venue, combined with delicate floral design and elegant seating details, created a ceremony atmosphere that felt straight out of a storybook.
The reception at salisbury house & gardens
Ashlyn and Troy’s reception at Salisbury House & Gardens felt like a romantic European garden party brought to life. Instead of a traditional ballroom, dinner was hosted beneath a clear-top tent draped in soft ivory fabric and illuminated by sparkling chandeliers. The transparent ceiling allowed the sunlight to pour through during golden hour and created a magical candlelit glow as the evening settled in — the perfect balance of outdoor charm and elegant estate ambiance.
Long banquet tables stretched beneath the tent, dressed in crisp linens and lined with warm wooden cross-back chairs. Each place setting featured ornate gold chargers, pastel pressed-glass goblets, custom printed menus tied in ribbon, and vintage-inspired gold flatware. Down the center of every table, lush garden-style floral arrangements overflowed with blush roses, peach ranunculus, pale blue hydrangeas, and delicate greenery, echoing the manicured landscape of Salisbury House. Gold taper candles flickered throughout, adding warmth and dimension to the pastel tablescape.
Guests found their seats using a whimsical, pastel-painted seating chart display adorned with wax-sealed escort cards and surrounded by matching florals. Everywhere you looked, vintage accents brought the design together — ornate frames, antique mirrors, chinoiserie touches, and soft patterned linens that gave the reception an elevated, old-world feel.
As the sun dipped behind the trees, the newlyweds cut their tiered wedding cake beneath the glowing chandelier, surrounded by fresh florals and the natural stone terrace of the estate. The entire reception felt intimate, timeless, and beautifully curated — a romantic open-air celebration that showcased the historic beauty of Salisbury House & Gardens while bringing Ashlyn and Troy’s pastel garden vision to life.
The Bridal Party Details
Ashlyn’s bridal party perfectly complemented the romantic garden aesthetic of Salisbury House & Gardens with a stunning mix of soft blue gowns in varied textures, silhouettes, and floral patterns. The mismatched bridesmaid look was elegant and timeless — each dress different, yet cohesive within the pastel color palette of the day. The ladies carried lush bouquets of blush and peach blooms with touches of blue, echoing the florals seen throughout the ceremony and reception décor.
The bridal party portraits were taken on the manicured lawn of Salisbury House, surrounded by towering trees and the historic brick terrace — a quintessential backdrop for Des Moines estate weddings. The bridesmaids gathered around Ashlyn, sharing laughs and quiet moments before walking down the aisle. Every detail felt soft, feminine, and garden-inspired, from flowing chiffon to delicate floral-printed satin.
The groomsmen matched the palette effortlessly in light beige suits with pale blue ties, creating a light and airy look fitting for an outdoor summer wedding. Together, the bridal party brought the pastel color story to life — elegant, coordinated, and full of personality.
The group portraits are some of the most joyful of the day: everyone smiling, celebrating, and showing off the playful energy between friends. From classic posed photos to candid laughter under the trees, the bridal party added warmth and heart to the visual story of Ashlyn and Troy’s Salisbury House wedding.
Creative Wedding Favor Inspiration: Personalized Coke Bottles
One of the most charming personal touches from Ashlyn and Troy’s Salisbury House & Gardens wedding was their unique party favors — classic glass bottles of Coca-Cola with custom labels featuring their new last name. Each bottle was tied with a ribbon and a thank-you note, styled neatly on a gold display shelf accented with florals. Guests loved this sweet, nostalgic detail, and it perfectly matched the couple’s playful personalities. Instead of traditional wedding favors that often get left behind, these personalized Coke bottles were a fun and meaningful gift that everyone actually wanted to take home. It was the perfect way to end an elegant garden celebration with a touch of personality and a little sparkle.
Vendor Team:
Venue | @salisburyhousedsm
Content Creator | @misscontentco
Photographer | @brookepavelphotography
Wedding Planning Company | @elizabeth_bliss_events
Lead Planner | @mercedeseventss
Videographer | @feilmeierfilms
Florist | @englishrosedsm
Vintage Furniture + Decor Rentals | @annatavintageco
Tent Rental + Chairs | @milestone_event_rental
Rentals + Installments | @uniqueeventsiowa
Rentals | @monarchevents.co
Marquee Lights | @iowaglowco
Caterer | @tangerinefoodco
Cake | @dorebakerydsm
DJ | @djdavewolfrum
Food Truck | @magoospizzadsm
Makeup Artist | @hellodarlinglam
Hair Stylist | Amber Perez
The Salisbury House and Gardens Wedding Venue
Address: 4025 Tonawanda Dr, Des Moines, IA 50312
Phone: 515-274-1777 ext. 103
Email: rentals@salisburyhouse.org