A Match Made in Heaven | The Voss Wedding in Northeast Iowa
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The Voss Wedding | July 18 2026 | Northeast Iowa
I love hearing how all of the couples who step in front of my camera met, learning their stories and hearing what they are most excited about on their wedding day. Other than being married at the end of it all, because let’s face it, that is the most exciting part!
Dustin and Laura’s story is one I’ll always remember.
When Dustin and Laura reached out, I was ecstatic. I had photographed Dustin’s sister’s wedding almost six years ago, and over the years I had become friends with his family. I knew from the start that this was going to be an amazing day. What I didn’t know was how quickly I would fall in love with Laura and her entire family, too.
I probably should have guessed it. Wonderful families have a way of finding each other, and Dustin and Laura’s union truly felt like one planned by God.
With faith as the foundation of their relationship, the joy that radiated throughout their wedding day felt incredibly pure and blessed. Joy is a word I use often when describing wedding days, but this day was different. Laura is one of the most joyful souls I have ever had the privilege of photographing, and I hope these images do justice to the amount of joy I felt witnessing their wedding day.
How They Met
Laura and Dusty met because Dusty’s sister, Amy, worked with Laura at a Catholic school in Northeast Iowa. At a coworker’s party, the topic of eligible bachelors came up, and Amy mentioned that she had an eligible farmer brother.
Laura told her that if he was interested, she should have him come to church.
That Sunday, Dusty was sitting up front.
And the rest is history.
A Day Filled with Faith and Family
Laura got ready at The Ferme de la Rose in Monona, a beautiful rustic barn venue with the sweetest little cottage for a bridal suite. She used the cottage for hair and makeup, and we also took some beautiful dress and detail photographs around the property. The bride’s dress and the tuxes were from Holly’s Bridal Boutique and the fresh florals from Elkader Floral Shop were gorgeous!
Angie Dahling beautifully styled the bridal hair and several members of the family, and you could see just how special it was for the little girls to be included in the morning. Laura’s sister, Susan, applied her makeup with a gentle and professional touch that perfectly finished her bridal look.
Rachel and I then headed to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church for Laura and Dustin’s Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. The ceremony included a full children’s choir, Communion, a blessing, and beautiful solos by the groom’s niece.
It was breathtaking.
This day was truly about love, faith, and family. Family members were woven throughout every part of the celebration, from the wedding party to the many helping hands behind the scenes.
After the ceremony, the receiving line was filled with hugs, laughter, and so much genuine joy. Because Dustin and Laura chose to have a first look and complete their family portraits before the ceremony, they were able to relax afterward and spend a few quiet minutes together for portraits at Lake Meyer before heading to Pivo Brewery for their grand entrance.
Letting the Day Unfold
I always love helping my couples create a timeline for their wedding day, but one of the most important things I remind them is to leave room to breathe.
There will always be moments that take a little longer than expected. A conversation runs long. Someone needs a quick touch-up. A family member needs help finding their boutonniere. And that is okay.
A tentative timeline keeps everyone on the same page, but on the wedding day, we go with the flow and make adjustments as needed.
Dustin and Laura’s day flowed beautifully.
The reception was filled with personal details, including a coloring book featuring the couple, a puzzle guest book, and photographs of loved ones. One vintage photograph in particular still lives in my memory.
There is something so beautiful about vintage photographs.
Maybe that is one of the reasons I include so many candid images in my wedding galleries. The photographs that stay with me are rarely the perfectly posed, everyone-looking-at-the-camera images. They are the photographs that feel impromptu. The ones that capture a glance, a laugh, movement and emotion that might otherwise have been forgotten.
I love the candid images we captured at the Voss wedding.
The Celebration
From the speeches at the reception, it was clear that Dusty has treated his bride like a true princess from day one, and watching them spend their wedding day surrounded by the people they love made it equally clear that he intends to keep doing so for the rest of their lives.
Sunset portraits are always something I love to sneak away for, even when it is difficult to leave a dance floor this good. We only stepped away for about ten minutes, but those few quiet minutes gave Dustin and Laura a chance to breathe, take in the day, and simply be together.
After a full day of excitement, those little pauses can become some of the most treasured moments.
And don’t worry, the party kept going.
With a crowd that could dance like this one and a live band playing, you know I stayed for a few extra songs. How could I not?
Triple Threat kept the dance floor alive, and this wedding party did not disappoint. Rachel and I still can’t believe how good the dancing was!
From our very first call about their wedding to the last photographs on the dance floor, every moment of knowing and documenting Mr. and Mrs. Voss was wonderful! I still can’t wait to take my family to try Smoky Dough in Calmar, the catering was amazing!
Dustin and Laura, I am so grateful that I had the honor of documenting this beautiful beginning. I pray that love, health, blessings, faith, and joy follow you both throughout your marriage and your lifetime together.
Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Voss!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this glimpse back at your amazing day!
xo
Jillian
Vendors
Bridal Suite: The Ferme de la Rose
Ceremony: St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Monona, Iowa
Couple’s Portraits: Lake Meyer
Reception: Pivo Brewery
Catering: The Smoky Dough Calmar IA
Photography: Jillian Webb Herrmann | JWebbArt and Rachel Hach
Dress & Tuxes: Holly’s Bridal Boutique
Florals: Elkader Floral Shop
Hair: Angie Dahling
Makeup: Susan, Sister of the Bride
DJ: Derek, Brother-in-Law of the Groom
Live Band: Triple Threat