Diana reached out to me via email after she and Hunter had set plans to marry in Des Moines. I was so excited to read that they had a marriage ceremony reservation at the Polk County Courthouse in downtown Des Moines! This is one of our most iconic buildings, and I couldn’t wait to see the inside (it didn’t disappoint!).

These two brought such quiet joy to their big day, and it was wonderful to have a couple that trusted my ideas for portraits. I wish we could have taken more inside the courthouse, but it’s not allowed anymore (besides in the room where the ceremony is taking place). So, after the judge ensured papers were signed and vows exchanged, we headed to WaterWorks Park with the family members to snap photos of the group and then took some pictures of the newlyweds! It was a beautiful afternoon for July, thankfully, and we had the perfect mix of sunshine and clouds.

The following day, I rejoined the newlyweds and their families for a Baci ceremony. This is a south asian custom, hailing from Laos, and not specific only to weddings! It can be held for a variety of reasons, and a wedding is one of the joyful occasions marked by a Baci ceremony. The park building was decorated with greenery and florals, and a table set up at one end where Diana, Hunter, and the family members would partake in this event. I couldn’t understand most of what was said, but it was so special to watch the family members join with each other and connect around the table by holding the white strings that met in the center, at a floral arrangement called a Pha Khuan, symbolizing their unity for the couple’s happiness.

Once the chanting and prayers are finished, family members tied white strings around the couple’s wrists - saying their blessings and well wishes for them. These strings are meant to stay on until they fall off or are untied (at least 3 days later), signs of good omens for their future together! Hard boiled eggs were cracked and eaten by the couple to end the wedding function. Family photos were taken, and then we slipped outside for a few more photos in Hunter & Diana’s gorgeous outfits (brought all the way from Thailand for the occasion!).