Heartfelt Wedding at the Rollins Mansion Des Moines

The Rollins Mansion Des Moines is a one-of-a-kind wedding venue with vintage European style. Kinsey and Steven’s heartfelt wedding was full of loving moments and joyful laughter. Their candid wedding photos show how much they prioritized connecting with their loved ones at this unforgettable venue.

The Rollins Mansion Des Moines

Even though it was built in the 1920s, the Rollins Mansion Des Moines looks like an old castle. The brick exterior has an old world European style. The courtyard where Steven and Kinsey had their ceremony is really unique among area wedding venues. A long reflecting pool and pretty landscaping create a peaceful atmosphere. Sitting down to watch a ceremony there is like being in another world. Kinsey and Steven didn’t have to add anything other than chairs to transform it into a stunning ceremony location.

A zoomed in image of a groom putting his hand on a bride's waist as she grasps her wedding dress.

A bride and groom laugh in the gardens of the Rollins Mansion Des Moines.

A bride and groom hold hands as they walk past a white flowering bush in a shady garden.

The interior of this wedding venue is full of all the beautiful antiques and vintage decor you could hope for. The aesthetic is a big reason why Kinsey and Steven wanted to get married at the Rollins Mansion Des Moines. Sunlight streams through the tall windows and illuminates the elaborate woodwork. Even the vintage wallpaper adds charm.

A bridesmaid helps a bride put on her veil while the groom watches.

A bride and groom kiss beside a sunny window in the Rollins Mansion Des Moines.

A bride and groom sit side by side on a bench holding hands in the Rollins Mansion Des Moines.

A groom leans towards a bride in an old library.

The Rollins Mansion Des Moines has such an authentic European feeling because the original owner brought back antique ship beams and ceiling beams from Europe. The same architects built Salisbury House, another historic wedding venue in Des Moines. It’s a great place for romantic portraits and quiet moments.

A couple poses with their wedding party in a line in a historic Iowa wedding venue.

A flower girl lifts a white rose for the groom to smell.

A bride and bridesmaids walk up a staircase to a garden.

A bride stands outside a window at the Rollins Mansion Des Moines smiling with her bouquet.

A Des Moines Wedding Venue for a Seamless Experience

Here are a few things to keep in mind if you want to get married at the Rollins Mansion Des Moines:

There are limits on decorations. It’s a historic venue, and the staff works hard to preserve it. Steven and Kinsey’s wedding proves that this venue is beautiful without many extras. Think of it as one less thing to worry about.
You may need to arrange a shuttle for guests since there’s limited parking on site.
The courtyard is beautiful, but talk to the venue in advance to create a rain plan.
Cost to hold your reception here starts around $3,500, making it comparable to other large wedding venues in Des Moines.

A bride walks past a reflecting pool with her father.

A groom smiles when the bride arrives at the altar for an outdoor wedding.

A bride and groom exchange vows on top of a stone staircase at the Rollins Mansion Des Moines.

Wedding guests cheer from white chairs in the courtyard.

One thing that really stood out at Steven and Kinsey’s wedding was how seamless the day was. The Rollins Mansion Des Moines made it easy transitioning between indoors and outdoors throughout the day. Kinsey and Steven’s guests loved exploring the rooms during cocktail hour and dancing on the terrace during the reception.

A bride and groom smile while guests clap for them in the courtyard of the Rollins Mansion Des Moines.

The bride hugs an elderly family member as she walks back down the aisle.

The bride and groom kiss in a side room of the historic wedding venue.

The bride and groom greet guests for cocktail hour.

Kinsey and Steven’s Heartfelt Wedding

The old-school romance of the Rollins Mansion Des Moines really suited Kinsey and Steven’s whirlwind romance. They met online and went on their first date in April 2021. Since they met, they’d talked about visiting the Des Moines Botanical Garden. Steven surprised Kinsey with a proposal there.

Flower girls run towards a window inside the Rollins Mansion Des Moines.

The bride and groom pose in front of the Rollins Mansion Des Moines as birds fly overhead in the evening.

The bride leans against the groom in an old doorway at sunset.

The couple enters the wedding reception on the patio.

When we asked Kinsey and Steven what they wanted out of wedding photography, they shared this: “Having someone who can artistically capture the spirit of the day and catch those candid smiles, the big moments, the lovely setting, and priceless family memories — and can make us feel comfortable on camera, hopefully somewhat forgetting the camera is there and just getting lost enjoying the day.” This spoke to us because our goal is always to document those amazing candid moments that you just can’t plan on a shot list.

On the terrace, the bride and groom cut the wedding cake together.

The bride and groom laugh and clap during a speech.

The couple leans against each other at their reception table and look out over their wedding guests.

On their wedding day, Steven and Kinsey truly got lost in their time with each other and their loved ones. We skipped a shot list altogether and took a more laid back approach to discovering what moments would be the most unforgettable. They put their trust in us by prioritizing candids so much. As a result, we could focus on photographing the unposed, quiet moments and the genuine joy at the heart of their wedding day.