The Midnight Gem Wedding, Kori and Trevor
Kori and Trevor’s wedding at The Midnight Gem was the perfect mix of modern, romantic, and just a little bit edgy. With a striking color palette of black, white, and deep green, their wedding design complemented the modern architecture of this Swisher, Iowa wedding venue beautifully. From the moment guests arrived, every detail felt intentional, creating a celebration that was sophisticated while still feeling completely true to the couple.
Their wedding party set the tone for the day with the bridesmaids dressed in gorgeous deep green gowns and the groomsmen in all black. Kori stood out beautifully in her sleek white wedding gown, while Trevor continued the modern monochromatic look in black. White florals and baby's breath softened the darker colors throughout the design, creating the perfect balance of romantic and contemporary wedding inspiration.
Inside The Midnight Gem, that same black-and-white aesthetic carried into the reception. Long wooden tables were styled with black place settings, flowing black fabric, baby's breath, and an abundance of glowing candles. Against the venue's dark exterior and modern open-air spaces, the entire wedding had an elevated, intimate feel that looked especially beautiful as the sun began to set.
And, of course, one of the sweetest members of Kori and Trevor's wedding party had four paws! Their dog was included in the celebration and even made a trip down the aisle during their outdoor ceremony—an adorable personal touch that made their wedding at The Midnight Gem feel even more like them.
From the modern wedding decor to their beautiful outdoor ceremony and golden-hour portraits, Kori and Trevor's day is full of inspiration for couples searching for a modern Iowa wedding venue, a wedding venue near Cedar Rapids or Iowa City, or wedding inspiration at The Midnight Gem in Swisher, Iowa. This was one of those celebrations where the venue, design, and personalities of the couple came together perfectly, and we can't wait to share all the details!
Photo By: Zach Lefebure Photography & Design
The Midnight Gem is easily one of my favorite wedding venues in Eastern Iowa, and there is so much more to love about it than its gorgeous appearance. With its clean lines, sleek black exterior, and modern aesthetic, The Midnight Gem offers a beautiful blank canvas for nearly any wedding style. Whether you're dreaming of a timeless black-and-white wedding, a romantic garden-inspired celebration, or something bold and modern, the venue can completely transform to fit your vision. For couples searching for a modern wedding venue near Cedar Rapids or Iowa City, The Midnight Gem in Swisher, Iowa, is definitely one to have on your list.
As an Iowa wedding planner, though, one of the biggest reasons I love working at The Midnight Gem has nothing to do with how beautiful the venue is—it's the people behind it. Their venue team is genuinely one of the best I've had the opportunity to work alongside. Every team member is incredibly kind, attentive, and invested in making sure each couple has an amazing wedding experience. You can tell they care about the details and treat each wedding day with the same level of importance they would give their own.
The team also takes an impressive amount off a couple's plate leading up to the wedding. Tables and chairs can be set up ahead of time, the getting-ready suite mini fridges can be stocked with the couple's favorite beverages, and the venue team works closely with vendors to make sure everyone understands the wedding-day plan and timeline. Their communication is another huge plus. Quick email response times can make such a difference during wedding planning, and their venue managers are willing to meet with couples for walkthroughs and venue tours as they plan how they want to utilize the space. When you're looking for an Eastern Iowa wedding venue, having a beautiful property is important, but having a responsive and experienced team behind it can make an even bigger difference.
Another feature that makes The Midnight Gem wedding venue stand out is its two spacious getting-ready suites. We've worked at plenty of venues where one side of the wedding party gets a gorgeous bridal suite while the other is tucked into a tiny room with barely enough space to move around. That's definitely not the case here! Both suites are spacious, thoughtfully designed, and filled with amenities that make the morning of the wedding feel like part of the celebration rather than simply a place to get dressed.
The bridal suite has a modern-luxe feel with tons of natural light and a five-mirror vanity station complete with additional vanity lighting, making it perfect for a full hair and makeup team. There's also a large couch and coffee table where everyone can relax and mingle, a private outdoor lounge, an en suite bathroom, floor-length mirrors, plenty of space to hang dresses, and a mini fridge that can be stocked with mimosas and other favorite drinks. From a wedding-planning perspective, having this much room is a huge advantage—it gives the bride, bridesmaids, hair and makeup artists, photographer, videographer, and planner room to work without everyone feeling crowded.
And The Midnight Gem didn't forget about the guys! The second suite is just as impressive, with a large couch and flat-screen TV where the group can watch the game or hook up an Xbox while they wait. There's also a poker table, an en suite bathroom, a floor-length mirror, hanging space for suits, and a mini fridge that can be stocked with everyone's favorite drinks. They even have access to their own outdoor patio area with a putting green, giving the guys something fun to do while getting ready.
It's details like these that make The Midnight Gem such a standout Swisher, Iowa wedding venue. The space is beautiful enough to catch your attention immediately, but it's the thoughtful amenities, spacious getting-ready areas, attentive venue staff, and overall wedding-day experience that keep it at the top of our list. For couples searching for wedding venues in Eastern Iowa, Cedar Rapids wedding venues, Iowa City wedding venues, or modern Iowa wedding venues, The Midnight Gem offers the rare combination of style, functionality, and a team that truly cares about making your wedding day incredible.
Modern Black & White Wedding Design at The Midnight Gem
Kori and Trevor’s wedding design was such a perfect match for the modern aesthetic of The Midnight Gem. They leaned into a bold black-and-white wedding color palette, using the venue’s sleek architecture as part of the overall design rather than trying to compete with it. The result was modern and dramatic while still feeling incredibly romantic—a combination we absolutely love for weddings at this Swisher, Iowa wedding venue.
One of our favorite design moments was their welcome display. A large black statement sign greeted guests with “To love, laughter & happily ever after,” surrounded by clouds of delicate baby’s breath and scattered white roses. The asymmetrical florals softened the bold black backdrop beautifully and created an installation that immediately introduced guests to the aesthetic they would see throughout the rest of the wedding. Against The Midnight Gem’s wood slat accent wall, the combination of black, white, greenery-free florals, and warm wood tones looked especially striking.
Next to the welcome sign, Kori and Trevor created an interactive Polaroid wedding guest book station. Multiple instant cameras were available for guests to snap a photo, add it to the guest book, and leave a message for the newlyweds. We love interactive guest book ideas like this because they become more than another piece of wedding decor—they give couples a collection of candid photos and handwritten notes to look back on long after the wedding is over.
Even the smaller details stayed consistent with the overall design. The black acrylic card box, black signage with gold lettering, white guest book, and baby’s breath arrangements all tied back into the modern black-and-white wedding theme.
A Personal & Playful Ceremony at The Midnight Gem
Kori and Trevor’s ceremony at The Midnight Gem was the perfect example of how adding personal touches can make a wedding ceremony feel completely unique to the couple. Set beneath the venue’s covered outdoor ceremony space, guests gathered for a celebration that was equal parts romantic, meaningful, and fun. The modern black exterior of The Midnight Gem created a beautiful backdrop, while white flower petals lining the aisle softened the space and tied into the couple’s black-and-white wedding design.
But one of the most memorable moments happened before Kori even made her way down the aisle! Instead of choosing a traditional flower girl, Kori gave the job to her brother—and he fully committed to the role. Armed with a fanny pack filled with flower petals, he made his way down the aisle tossing petals for the bride in a way that had guests smiling and laughing. We absolutely love when couples aren't afraid to break wedding traditions and make them their own, and this was definitely a flower girl entrance no one was going to forget!
Kori’s brother had another very important responsibility, too: escorting Kori and Trevor’s dog down the aisle so she could be part of the wedding ceremony. Including pets in your wedding can be such a sweet way to make the day feel even more personal, especially when they're such an important part of your family. Their pup got her own moment walking down the aisle alongside her uncle, making for some adorable photos and ensuring the whole family was represented during the ceremony.
Their ceremony is a great reminder that your wedding doesn't have to follow every tradition exactly as it's always been done. Sometimes the moments your guests remember most are the unexpected ones—like your brother tossing flower petals out of a fanny pack while simultaneously escorting your dog down the aisle!
A Fun-Filled Reception at The Midnight Gem
One of the things we love most about hosting a wedding at The Midnight Gem is just how much space couples and their guests have to enjoy throughout the day. Between the large indoor reception hall, covered patio, and additional uncovered outdoor areas, guests never feel confined to one room. There are plenty of places to grab a drink, catch up with friends and family, or step outside for some fresh air. For couples searching for a spacious Eastern Iowa wedding venue near Cedar Rapids or Iowa City, The Midnight Gem offers a layout that makes transitioning from ceremony to cocktail hour to reception feel incredibly seamless.
Following Kori and Trevor’s ceremony, guests headed inside for cocktail hour while the newlyweds and their wedding party hopped on a party bus and headed offsite for photos. Having multiple spaces available at the venue made this transition easy, giving guests a comfortable place to mingle, enjoy drinks, and settle into the reception while the wedding party was away. By the time Kori, Trevor, and their crew returned, everyone was ready to officially kick off the evening!
The reception began with grand introductions before Kori and Trevor shared their first dance as newlyweds. From there, they moved into cake cutting, speeches, and heartfelt toasts from some of the people closest to them. We love grouping these special reception moments together before dinner because it allows the evening to flow naturally and gives guests the chance to sit back and enjoy each tradition before the dance floor opens.
After dinner, the energy completely shifted and the party officially began! Guests filled the dance floor and celebrated Kori and Trevor well into the evening. The Midnight Gem’s modern reception space looks beautiful during the day, but once the sun goes down and the venue’s warm lighting takes over, it creates an entirely different atmosphere that is perfect for dancing and celebrating.
Romantic Baby’s Breath Florals with a Personal Touch
The florals from Kori and Trevor’s wedding at The Midnight Gem were one of my favorite elements of their entire design. Their arrangements were filled with airy white baby’s breath and classic white roses, with small black accents tucked throughout to tie everything back into the couple’s modern black-and-white wedding aesthetic. The combination felt romantic and whimsical while still having the slightly edgy, contemporary look that worked so beautifully against The Midnight Gem’s sleek black architecture.
The bridesmaids carried coordinating bouquets filled with clouds of baby’s breath, white roses, and subtle black details. Keeping the flowers almost entirely white created such a beautiful contrast against the deep green bridesmaid dresses and the black attire worn throughout the wedding party. I especially love how much texture the baby’s breath added without making the arrangements feel heavy or overly formal. It was a simple floral palette, but the volume and texture made a huge impact.
One detail that really stood out to me, though, was Kori’s bridal bouquet. Kori and Trevor have three dogs, and while one was able to attend the wedding and even make her way down the aisle during the ceremony, their other two pups weren't able to physically be there. Kori found the sweetest way to make sure they were still included in such an important day.
A friend created special photo charms featuring each of their three dogs, which Kori wrapped around the stems of her bouquet. That meant that as she walked down the aisle, took portraits, exchanged vows, and celebrated throughout the day, all three of their dogs were right there with her in their own way. It's such a small detail visually, but one that carried so much sentimental meaning.
Modern Black-and-White Wedding Decor at The Midnight Gem
Kori and Trevor’s reception decor was the perfect complement to the modern aesthetic of The Midnight Gem. They leaned into a dramatic black-and-white wedding color palette, using the venue’s warm wood tones as a natural contrast. The finished design felt sleek and contemporary while still having plenty of romantic details to soften the space.
For the guest tables, black linens created a bold foundation, paired with black dinnerware and touches of gold throughout the place settings. Their centerpieces incorporated white florals and greenery with floating candles in clear glass cylinders. The candlelight brought such a warm, romantic glow into the reception space and kept the darker color palette from feeling too heavy.
One of my favorite parts of the design was the long wooden tables. Rather than covering the beautiful natural wood, we allowed it to become part of the overall wedding decor. A textured black runner stretched down the center of the table, surrounded by clusters of baby’s breath, white roses, and candles in varying heights. The mix of tall floating candles and smaller votives created dimension without blocking guests’ views across the table, making the design both beautiful and functional.
The baby’s breath was especially perfect for this wedding because it carried the floral design from Kori’s bouquet and bridal party flowers directly into the reception. Against the black runner and dinnerware, the tiny white blooms really popped, creating an almost cloud-like effect down the center of the tables. It was a simple floral choice that made a surprisingly big visual impact.
Kori and Trevor’s wedding at The Midnight Gem was such a beautiful example of how a wedding can feel modern and sophisticated while still being incredibly personal. From the sleek black-and-white color palette and candlelit reception tables to the abundance of baby’s breath and white roses, every detail worked together to create a celebration that felt completely true to them.
Of course, some of our favorite details were the ones that told their story. Incorporating their three dogs throughout the day made the celebration even more meaningful—from the custom charms wrapped around Kori’s bouquet to having one of their pups actually walk down the aisle. And we certainly can’t forget Kori’s brother taking on double duty as both the flower guy and dog escort, tossing petals from his fanny pack on his way down the aisle! Those are the kinds of personal touches that guests remember long after the wedding day is over.
The Midnight Gem in Swisher, Iowa was the perfect backdrop for their celebration. Its modern reception space, spacious indoor and outdoor areas, beautiful getting-ready suites, and covered ceremony space gave Kori and Trevor plenty of opportunities to make the venue their own. Their black, white, and deep green wedding palette looked especially beautiful against the venue’s clean architecture and warm wood accents.
It was such a privilege getting to be a part of Kori and Trevor’s wedding day and watching all of the details come together. From the quiet, sentimental moments to a packed dance floor at the end of the night, their wedding was filled with so much personality, laughter, and love.
If you’re planning a wedding at The Midnight Gem in Swisher, Iowa and are looking for an Eastern Iowa wedding planner to help bring your vision to life, Elizabeth Bliss Events would love to be a part of it. Whether you’re dreaming of a modern black-and-white wedding like Kori and Trevor’s or something completely different, our favorite part of wedding planning and design is creating a celebration that feels unmistakably you.
Vendor Team
Venue: The Midnight Gem
Planner: Elizabeth Bliss Events
Photographer: Zach Lefebure Photography & Design
Caterer: Kalona Country Catering
Bakery: Sweet Cheesecake
Florist: The Century House
Dress: Embody Bridal
Suit: Skeffingtons Formalwear
Jewelers: Siebke Hoyt
Stationary: Canva
The Midnight gem Wedding Venue
Address: 2613 Ders Drive NW, Swisher, IA, United States, Iowa
Email: info@themidnightgem.com
Costs: Peak Wedding Season $6,500 +, Off Season $4,500+
Capacity of 300 guests
Amenities included: Tables & chairs, indoor and outdoor ceremony space, bar setup and staff