Eagle Point Park Wedding | Dubuque, IA | Emily & Austin

Emily and Austin—where do I even begin? During their ceremony, the officiants described their love as “electric,” and I don’t think I could’ve found a better word if I’d tried. That electricity was so clearly visible on their faces and in every little interaction throughout the entire day, and it spread to every guest who joined in the celebration.

My sister often assists me at weddings, so we road tripped from the Twin Cities down to Dubuque together the day before the wedding. Neither of us had been before, and we ended up loving the town! It boasts historic buildings, murals, and a beautiful view of the Mississippi River. Emily and Austin got married at Eagle Point Park, the same place Emily’s parents took their wedding photos so many years prior—we even recreated a few! This venue is gorgeous, full of limestone walls, rolling hills, and huge oak trees. Both the ceremony and reception took place on a patio overlooking the river, which the rain only enhanced the beauty of. There’s something about the way those misty skies made the greens and blues pop! The whole wedding was laid-back and intimate; simultaneously simple and grand. With homemade desserts, beautifully done DIY decor, and a playlist of instrumental showtunes during dinner, everything felt hospitable and homey.

You could just feel the love everyone in attendance has for these two—the skies were misty, and so were everyone’s eyes at one point or another. I’ve always said weddings are far-reaching a celebration of love—of course the love between the couple, but also the love from family and friends that has gotten them to this day, and the love that is multiplied simply by being in the presence of people who love each other so deeply and authentically. Emily and Austin’s wedding has gone down in my books as a shining example of that kind of celebration.