There are some wedding days that you finish photographing and immediately think, yep, this is why I do this. As a Des Moines Iowa wedding photographer, Avery and Austin’s wedding at Toast in Ankeny was 100% one of those days for me. Not because everything was perfect or over-the-top, but because the entire day felt so deeply rooted in what actually matters. From the moment I arrived, I could tell this wasn’t going to be a “look at us” kind of wedding. It was a “we’re here with our people, we’re doing this with God at the center, and we’re soaking it all in” kind of day, and honestly, those are my absolute favorite weddings to be a part of.

As a Des Moines Iowa wedding photographer, I see a lot of different wedding days, and one thing I notice over and over again is that the weddings couples talk about forever aren’t the ones with jam-packed timelines and constant movement. They’re the ones where there’s space. Space to slow down, space to hug people a little longer, space to actually feel the weight and joy of what’s happening. Avery and Austin’s day had that kind of breathing room, and it completely changed the way the day unfolded.

Because of that, candid wedding photography didn’t just “work,” it felt effortless. I truly got to just exist alongside them with my camera, capturing the way they interacted with each other, the way their people showed up for them, and all of the little in-between moments that you don’t even realize are happening until you look back later. Getting to document a day like this felt like such an honor, and I’m still not over it!

A Timeless, Christ-Centered Wedding Day at Toast in Ankeny, Iowa

Faith was woven into Avery and Austin’s wedding day in a way that felt so genuine and natural. It wasn’t something that needed to be announced or highlighted; it was just there, quietly present in the way people spoke, the way the ceremony unfolded, and the way everyone showed up for them.

There was one moment later in the day that genuinely made me emotional. At the end of their wedding day Avery came to me and asked me to pray over them and their marriage. Something that was the biggest honor to do. I absolutely loved going before the Father on their behalf – something I do with all of my couples before ever speaking with you is praying over you, your wedding and your marriage beyond that. What an honor to be able to do that with them standing beside me!

As a Christian wedding photographer, I’ve learned that moments like this aren’t something you direct or stage. You don’t interrupt them, you don’t have to reposition people, you simply let them happen and document them as they are. Those are the “God winks” I always love, the moments that weren’t planned but end up being the ones couples remember most.

If faith is important to you, my biggest encouragement is always to let it show up naturally. When you leave space instead of trying to control every minute, the most meaningful moments tend to find their way in.

Why This Wedding at Toast in Ankeny, Iowa, Felt Like One Big Reunion

One of the first things I noticed was just how many people truly showed up for Avery and Austin. This wedding didn’t feel formal or distant at all. It felt like a reunion. There were hugs everywhere, people laughing across the room, and so many moments of catching up and reconnecting.

These are the weddings I love photographing the most because when people feel comfortable, they completely forget about the camera. That’s when candid wedding photography really comes alive. The moments don’t need to be forced or prompted. They just happen naturally because everyone is present and enjoying being together.

This is also why guest experience matters more than couples sometimes realize. When guests feel welcomed, unrushed, and comfortable, it shows in your photos. Conversations last longer. Reactions are more genuine. From a candid wedding photography standpoint, that kind of environment makes all the difference.

Capturing Legacy and Family Moments Through Candid Wedding Photography

One of the most emotional parts of the day for me was Avery’s grandmother being there at 104 years old, which is honestly still wild to think about. Watching her witness her granddaughter get married was one of those moments that everyone in the room seemed to feel, even if nothing was said out loud.

She passed not long after the wedding, which makes those images even more meaningful now. This is one of the reasons candid wedding photography matters so deeply to me. These photos aren’t just about how the day looked. They’re about preserving presence. They’re about capturing the people who were there, and the season of life your family was in at that moment. Years from now, those images will hold even more weight than they already do.

What Candid Wedding Photography Looks Like From a Des Moines Iowa Wedding Photographer

Candid wedding photography isn’t about being hands-off or disengaged either; it’s about paying attention, watching interactions, knowing when something meaningful is about to happen, and being ready for it.

This wedding was full of those moments! Like small conversations between family members, quiet smiles during the ceremony, and genuine laughter during toasts. None of it needed staging either, which makes my job so much easier; it just needed someone who could wait for the moments to happen and be ready to capture them!

If you want a deeper look at how this approach works, I explain it in more detail here in my blog: Iowa Documentary Style Wedding Photography: A Complete Guide for Iowa Couples

A Wedding Day Rooted in Faith, Presence, and Meaningful Moments

One moment earlier in the day absolutely made my heart melt. When I arrived, Avery’s mom pulled me aside and told me how much Avery had been talking about how easy and stress-free the entire process had felt. Hearing that almost made me cry on the spot.

As a Des Moines Iowa wedding photographer, my goal is never just to deliver beautiful images. I want my couples to feel supported, cared for, and fully present on one of the most important days of their lives. Being trusted with that is such a gift, and moments like this remind me exactly why I love what I do so much!

Toast in Ankeny is The Perfect Venue for Candid Wedding Photography

Toast was such a perfect fit for Avery and Austin’s wedding. The space feels warm and welcoming, which makes it easy for people to relax and connect. I also got to reconnect with the owner, whom I had previously met as a guest at her own wedding, and when she told me how excited they were to have me there, I genuinely couldn’t stop smiling.

When couples ask me what to look for in a venue, I always tell them to pay attention to how the space feels when people are gathered together. Toast made it easy for guests to connect, which naturally supports candid wedding photography throughout the entire day.

Ready to Book Your Des Moines Iowa Wedding Photographer?

Whether you’re deep into planning or just starting to tour venues, finding the right wedding photographer in Iowa really comes down to trust, connection, and feeling genuinely supported. At the end of the day, your wedding photos should feel like a reflection of how the day actually unfolded — not a highlight reel of things that looked good on paper!

If you’re looking for a photographer who values your experience just as much as the final gallery and cares deeply about the people and moments that matter most, I’d love to connect with you! You can explore my wedding photography portfolio. Learn more about my approach, or head straight to my contact page to reach out. I can’t wait to hear what you’re dreaming up for your day. Let’s make something beautiful together!

See more of this sweet couple by checking out my other blog, Iowa Documentary Style Wedding Photography: A Complete Guide for Iowa Couples

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Venue: Toast Ankeny
Photography: @brooklyngphoto

Brooklyn G Photography | Documentary Style Wedding Photographer in Iowa