The Surety Hotel Wedding, Cassandra and Spencer

Jun 3

Cassandra and Spencer celebrated their wedding day at the beautiful Surety Hotel in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, surrounded by their closest family and friends. Combining timeless elegance with modern city charm, the Surety Hotel provided the perfect backdrop for a day filled with heartfelt moments, stunning details, and plenty of celebration.

From getting ready in the hotel's stylish suites to exchanging vows and dancing the night away in one of Des Moines' most iconic wedding venues, every part of the day reflected Cassandra and Spencer's unique love story. Their wedding featured thoughtful personal touches, beautiful décor, and an atmosphere that felt both sophisticated and welcoming.

If you're searching for wedding inspiration or considering the Surety Hotel for your own Des Moines wedding, Cassandra and Spencer's celebration is a perfect example of how this historic venue can be transformed into an unforgettable wedding experience.

As wedding planners, we've had the opportunity to work at some incredible venues throughout Iowa, and the Surety Hotel continues to be one of our favorite wedding venues in Des Moines. Located in the heart of downtown Des Moines, this historic luxury hotel offers a unique combination of convenience, elegance, and exceptional service that makes wedding planning seamless for both couples and their guests.

One of the biggest advantages of hosting a Surety Hotel wedding is the ability to keep everything in one location. Couples can get ready onsite, host their ceremony and reception at the hotel, and provide overnight accommodations for their guests without anyone needing to travel between venues. The Surety Hotel offers room blocks, making it easy for out-of-town guests to stay together and enjoy the wedding weekend.

We also love that the venue offers an indoor ceremony option. While Iowa weather can be unpredictable, couples can feel confident knowing they have a beautiful backup plan that doesn't sacrifice the overall wedding experience. The hotel's sophisticated architecture, historic charm, and modern finishes create a stunning backdrop for both ceremonies and receptions.

Another reason we recommend the Surety Hotel is its in-house catering team. Having catering provided directly through the venue simplifies the planning process and helps ensure a smooth experience on the wedding day. Their team is experienced, professional, and committed to creating a memorable dining experience for guests.

For couples searching for a downtown Des Moines wedding venue that combines luxury accommodations, exceptional service, beautiful event spaces, and a convenient location, the Surety Hotel is hard to beat. It's a venue that allows couples to fully enjoy their wedding day while giving guests an unforgettable experience in the heart of Des Moines.

Getting Ready at the Surety Hotel

One of our favorite parts of a Surety Hotel wedding is the getting-ready experience. The hotel's spacious suites provide the perfect environment for brides and their bridesmaids to relax, get pampered, and enjoy the excitement of the wedding morning together.
Instead of feeling rushed or cramped, bridal parties can spread out comfortably while hair and makeup artists work their magic. The suites offer plenty of natural light for getting ready photos, beautiful backdrops for detail shots, and enough space for everyone to enjoy the morning without feeling crowded.
For Cassandra and her bridesmaids, the wedding day began surrounded by laughter, mimosas, and anticipation as they prepared for the celebration ahead. Having the bridal suite located onsite also helped simplify the day's logistics. There was no need to worry about transportation, traffic, or keeping the timeline on track between multiple locations. Once everyone was dressed and ready, the bride was just steps away from the ceremony and reception spaces.
For couples planning a Surety Hotel wedding in Des Moines, the convenience of onsite accommodations is a major advantage. Not only can the wedding party get ready at the hotel, but family members and out-of-town guests can stay onsite as well, creating a seamless wedding weekend experience from start to finish.
The combination of luxury accommodations, stylish suites, and a convenient downtown Des Moines location is one of the many reasons the Surety Hotel remains one of our favorite Des Moines wedding venues.

The Bridal Details at the Surety Hotel

Cassandra was absolutely radiant on her wedding day. From the moment she stepped into her gown, she embodied timeless elegance while still feeling effortlessly modern. Her soft updo, natural makeup, and delicate accessories complemented her look perfectly, allowing her genuine happiness to shine through in every photograph.
One of our favorite design elements from this Surety Hotel wedding was the breathtaking color palette. The floral design featured a romantic blend of ivory, blush, peach, soft blue, and lavender blooms that felt fresh, sophisticated, and perfect for a spring wedding in Des Moines. Paired with the bridesmaids' mismatched pastel dresses, the overall aesthetic struck the perfect balance between classic and contemporary.
The florals themselves were truly a showstopper. Lush garden roses, delicate accent blooms, and soft textures created bouquets that looked like they belonged in a fairytale. The combination of pastel flowers against the historic brick walls of the Surety Hotel created a stunning contrast that made every detail stand out beautifully.
Cassandra's bridal portraits quickly became some of our favorite images from the day. Surrounded by layers of soft florals, she looked absolutely stunning, and the photographs perfectly captured both her beauty and excitement. The romantic blooms framed her naturally, creating magazine-worthy portraits that showcased not only the bride but also the incredible floral artistry that brought the wedding vision to life.
The Surety Hotel continues to be one of our favorite Des Moines wedding venues because of moments like these. The venue's historic architecture, exposed brick walls, and beautiful natural light provide the perfect setting for unforgettable bridal portraits. Whether you're planning a luxury wedding in Des Moines or searching for inspiration for your own Surety Hotel wedding, Cassandra's bridal portraits are proof that thoughtful design, stunning florals, and a beautiful venue can create truly timeless wedding photographs.

Groom Portraits at the Surety Hotel

While the Surety Hotel is known for its stunning event spaces and elegant wedding atmosphere, it also offers countless opportunities for incredible groom portraits. Spencer's portraits are a perfect example of how this downtown Des Moines wedding venue provides a sophisticated and stylish backdrop for every part of the wedding day.
Dressed in a tailored charcoal suit with a classic ivory tie and soft floral boutonniere, Spencer looked effortlessly polished. The hotel's rich architectural details, warm lighting, and upscale design created portraits that felt timeless while still maintaining a modern edge. From the statement lighting fixtures and dark wood accents to the inviting lounge spaces and game room areas, every corner of the hotel offered a unique setting for photographs.
One of the things we love most about Surety Hotel weddings is that couples never have to leave the property to find beautiful photo locations. Whether you're capturing getting-ready moments, bridal portraits, groom portraits, first looks, or wedding party photos, the hotel provides a variety of indoor spaces that photograph beautifully throughout the day.
For Spencer's portraits, the photographer utilized several areas throughout the hotel, creating a gallery that felt diverse and intentional. Some images showcased the grandeur of the hotel's architecture, while others focused on intimate details and candid moments. The result was a collection of groom portraits that reflected both Spencer's personality and the sophisticated atmosphere of the venue.
For couples searching for a Des Moines wedding venue with exceptional photography opportunities, the Surety Hotel is one of our top recommendations. The combination of luxury hotel accommodations, historic character, modern design, and countless photo locations makes it an ideal venue for couples who want a wedding gallery filled with variety and style.

A Beautiful Bridal Party at the Surety Hotel

One of the standout details from Cassandra and Spencer's Surety Hotel wedding was their incredible bridal party. Surrounded by their closest friends and family, the couple spent the day celebrating with the people who have supported them throughout their relationship, creating some of our favorite moments and photographs from the entire wedding day.
The bridesmaids wore a mix of soft pastel tones, including blush, sage, butter yellow, lavender, and dusty blue, creating a romantic and modern color palette that perfectly complemented the wedding's floral design. We love seeing couples embrace mismatched bridesmaid dresses, and Cassandra's bridal party is a beautiful example of how different colors and styles can come together to create a cohesive and elevated look.
Meanwhile, Spencer and his groomsmen looked timeless in light gray suits, providing the perfect contrast to the soft florals and historic brick backdrop found throughout the Surety Hotel. The combination of neutral menswear and colorful floral accents created a classic yet contemporary aesthetic that photographed beautifully.
One of the reasons we love weddings at the Surety Hotel in Des Moines is the variety of unique photo opportunities available throughout the venue. The exposed brick walls, warm wood floors, and industrial-chic architecture provided a stunning setting for bridal party portraits, allowing the wedding party's personalities to shine while maintaining an elegant and sophisticated feel.
From classic group portraits to fun candid moments, Cassandra and Spencer's bridal party brought so much energy and excitement to the day.

An Elegant Indoor Ceremony at the Surety Hotel

One of the most impressive features of the Surety Hotel is its beautiful indoor ceremony space. For couples planning a wedding in Des Moines, Iowa, the venue offers an elegant ceremony location that combines historic character with modern design, creating a setting that feels both intimate and grand.
Cassandra and Spencer exchanged vows surrounded by exposed brick walls, soaring ceilings, and an abundance of natural light pouring through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The architectural details of the space create a stunning backdrop on their own, allowing couples to keep décor simple while still achieving a sophisticated and elevated wedding design.
To complement the venue's existing beauty, the ceremony featured a romantic floral installation filled with soft ivory, blush, peach, lavender, and blue blooms. The delicate florals softened the industrial feel of the brick walls and perfectly tied together the wedding's overall color palette. The result was a ceremony space that felt timeless, romantic, and effortlessly elegant.
One of the reasons we frequently recommend the Surety Hotel as a Des Moines wedding venue is the peace of mind that comes with having a beautiful indoor ceremony option. Iowa weather can be unpredictable, but couples don't have to worry about sacrificing aesthetics if they need to move indoors. The ceremony space is every bit as stunning as many outdoor wedding venues and photographs beautifully from every angle.
The combination of natural light, historic brick architecture, dramatic ceilings, and thoughtfully designed event spaces makes the Surety Hotel one of the best indoor wedding venues in Des Moines. Whether you're planning a spring, summer, fall, or winter wedding, the ceremony space provides a beautiful setting for exchanging vows while keeping guests comfortable throughout the celebration.

Their Reception at the Surety Hotel

The reception at the Surety Hotel was a beautiful celebration filled with meaningful traditions, heartfelt moments, and plenty of fun. The elegant reception space provided the perfect backdrop for the evening, blending modern sophistication with timeless charm. Guests gathered to enjoy dinner, emotional speeches, and the opportunity to celebrate Cassandra and Spencer's new chapter surrounded by family and friends.
One of the most unique moments of the evening was when the couple shared a drink from a traditional **marriage cup**, also known as a Brautbecher or bridal cup. This historic wedding tradition symbolizes unity, love, and partnership, allowing the bride and groom to drink simultaneously from the same vessel. It was a special and memorable touch that honored the commitment they were making to one another.
The celebration continued with heartfelt toasts that had guests laughing and tearing up, followed by a beautiful cake cutting featuring a simple yet elegant floral-adorned cake that perfectly complemented the wedding's soft blush, peach, ivory, and blue color palette. As the evening progressed, Cassandra and Spencer shared their first dance as husband and wife before inviting guests to join them on the dance floor.
From emotional speeches and meaningful traditions to nonstop dancing and celebration, the reception perfectly reflected the couple's joyful personalities and love story. For couples searching for a **Surety Hotel wedding**, **Downtown Des Moines wedding venue**, or **Des Moines wedding reception venue**, the Surety Hotel offers an elegant setting, versatile event spaces, and an unforgettable atmosphere for celebrating life's biggest moments.

Cassandra and Spencer's wedding at the Surety Hotel was a beautiful celebration filled with timeless details, meaningful traditions, and unforgettable moments. From the bride's stunning portraits and romantic pastel color palette to the elegant indoor ceremony, unique marriage cup tradition, and lively reception, every part of the day reflected their love story perfectly.

The Surety Hotel provided an incredible backdrop for the entire celebration, offering beautiful architecture, versatile event spaces, and endless photo opportunities throughout the property. Whether capturing portraits in the stylish hotel interiors or celebrating with family and friends in the reception space, every corner of the venue added to the magic of the day.

For couples searching for a Des Moines wedding venue, Downtown Des Moines wedding location, or luxury Iowa wedding venue, the Surety Hotel continues to be one of the most beautiful and unique places to say "I do." Cassandra and Spencer's wedding was a perfect example of how this venue combines modern elegance, historic charm, and exceptional guest experiences to create a truly unforgettable wedding day.

Congratulations, Cassandra and Spencer! Thank you for allowing us to be part of such an incredible celebration. We wish you a lifetime of love, laughter, and happiness together.

A special thanks to our vendors:

venue // @suretyhotel

photographer + videographer // @peridotandlace

planner // @elizabeth_bliss_events

floral // @englishrosedsm

hair styling // @hairbygracejoya

makeup services // @ivoryandstoneartistry

dress // @schaffersbridal_ia

suit // @halberstadtsclothing

rings // @brilliantearth

stationery // @zola

desserts // @dorebakerydsm