Can we talk about how exhausting it is when someone tells you you’ll regret a trend in ten years? Because I promise you, playing it completely safe doesn’t automatically mean you’ll love your photos forever either. It just means your wedding won’t have much of a theme. There’s a way to chase something you genuinely love AND end up with photos that hold up, and this styled shoot at 1868 Farmhouse in Boone, Iowa, is the perfect example of that! We built this one around an old money wedding vision, and it genuinely came together so well. The whole thing felt elevated and intentional without being stuffy or overdone, which is really the whole point of this aesthetic when it’s done right.

Details That Made This Styled Shoot Feel Like a Real Old Money Wedding

The old money vibe is having such a moment right now, and I’m completely here for it. Quality over quantity, intention over excess, details that feel like they actually mean something. Less Hamptons estate, more “we just really cared about every single thing we chose.” That’s the version of it I love.

What made this shoot at 1868 Farmhouse click was honestly just how well everything worked together. The stationery from Invited DSM set the whole tone before a single flower was arranged. The florals from Blushing Garden were lush and organic without being overdone. The cake from Parinda Cupcakes was so elegant without being fussy. The gown from Modern Dress and suits from Skeffington’s Formalwear felt like they were made for the same day, which they were, but you know what I mean. And the makeup from Powder Studio IA kept everything soft and timeless in the best way.

Nobody was trying to be loud. Everything just belonged. That’s the difference between a trend that expires and one that sticks around.

Trends Aren’t the Enemy of Timeless Photos

The reason couples end up regretting trend-driven choices usually isn’t the trend at all. It wasn’t really theirs in the first place. When you choose something because you genuinely love it, it doesn’t have an expiration date! When you choose it because it was everywhere and you felt like you were “supposed” to want it, that’s when it starts to feel a little off later.

A farmhouse old money wedding, a big bold floral moment, a moody dark reception, a bright sunset palette — any of these can age so well when they’re chosen with real intention. The theme is never the problem. It’s always about whether it feels authentic to the couple and their story!

And from a faith perspective, I think this connects to something I genuinely believe about wedding days in general. What makes photos hold up over time isn’t really the details at all. It’s whether the day was built on something real. When couples come to me with their faith at the center of everything, it just shows up naturally in the photos. In the way they look at each other, in the little unplanned moments, in the way their people show up for them. That’s the stuff that lasts. I pray over every couple before we even get on a call, and what I always ask for is that their day feels like a real reflection of their story. When that’s the foundation, the rest of it kind of takes care of itself.

How To Take a Trend and Make It Yours

Chasing a trend isn’t automatically a mistake. Chasing a trend without asking yourself why you love it probably is. Before you commit to any wedding theme and color palette (old money wedding or otherwise), sit with it and ask whether it actually feels like you or just like something you saw and wanted. If the answer is the former, go all in. Do it with intention, surround yourself with vendors who understand the vision, find a venue like 1868 Farmhouse that already speaks the same language, and trust that when the choices are rooted in something real, they’ll hold up.

The couples whose wedding photos are still stunning in twenty years didn’t get lucky with trends. They got honest with themselves about what they actually wanted and then built a day around that. And for so many of the couples I get to work with, that honesty goes all the way down to their faith. That’s the thing that makes the difference, not just the aesthetic, venue, or the florals!

You can see more about how I approach wedding days over at Iowa Documentary Style Wedding Photography: A Complete Guide for Iowa Couples, and if you want to see more Iowa venue inspiration, A Photographer’s Guide to Outdoor Wedding Venues in Iowa is a great place to start.

What to Look for in an Iowa Wedding Venue When You Have a Specific Theme in Mind

First, look at whether the space already has the feeling you’re going for before you even think about decor. A venue like 1868 Farmhouse already has that elevated, character-filled feel built in, so an old money wedding vision just fits without anyone having to force it. You definitely want a space that already embodies your vision, so everything else layers on top naturally.

Second, pay attention to light! I know that sounds like photographer talk, but it genuinely affects how your whole day feels and photographs. Where does the sun hit during your ceremony time? Does the reception space have windows? Natural light does so much of the work for any wedding theme, and couples almost always wish they’d thought about it sooner.

Third, think about how the day actually flows through the space. How guests move, where getting ready happens, and how close the ceremony and reception are. A venue that flows well keeps the energy up the whole day and makes everything feel relaxed rather than rushed.

If you’re still figuring out which Iowa venues might fit your vision, this blog of My Top 10 Iowa Wedding Venues is a good starting point!

Ready to Book Your Iowa Wedding Photographer?

Whether you’re deep into planning or just starting to figure out what your day should feel like, I’d love to be part of it. If you’re looking for an Iowa wedding photographer who cares just as much about your experience as the final gallery and genuinely wants to help you build something that feels true to you, reach out and let’s talk.

You can learn more about my approach, how to inquire, or check out more resources below!

10 Essential Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer in Iowa Before Booking
How to Get Joyful, Candid Wedding Photos
How to Choose the Perfect Iowa Wedding Venue for Your Big Day

Brooklyn G Photography | Old Money Wedding Photographer