A Des Moines Backyard Wedding with Lanterns and S’mores
When Abby (she/her) and Hannah (she/her) bought their home in Des Moines in July 2023, they didn’t just find a place to live, they found the perfect spot to get married. Instead of hunting for a venue, they transformed their backyard into “Camp Kitto,” complete with canopy lights, gas lanterns, lawn games, a firepit, and a s’mores and trail mix bar. Inspired by their love of National Parks, it was camping-meets-wedding, with family, friends, and even neighbors joining in to make the celebration feel like home.
Why did you choose to marry in your backyard in Des Moines?
After buying our house in Des Moines in July 2023, we couldn’t find a venue that felt like us, so we created our own, right in our backyard. Getting married in the home we built together made everything feel personal in a way no venue could. Even our neighbors joined in. Our next-door neighbor, Chris, started a fire and extended the party into his backyard, while others left us cards, well-wishes, and berries from their gardens to share with our guests.
To tie it all together, we leaned into what we love most: National Parks. Every table was named after a favorite park, there were lawn games, a firepit, and a trail mix bar. It felt like camping, but make it wedding, blending home and adventure perfectly.
Looking back, we wouldn’t change a thing. Our wedding wasn’t just where we said “I do”, it was where we belonged.
What inspired the Camp Kitto theme?
Hannah and I love National Parks. We’ve visited 18 together, and camping is such a huge part of our story. So, when we started planning our wedding, it felt obvious: why not bring that sense of adventure home? Camp Kitto was born.
We wanted people to feel what we feel when we camp. Community, connection, conversations that make time slow down, and just pure, simple fun. So, we built a wedding weekend around that.
Every table was named after one of our favorite parks. We had lawn games, a firepit, gas lanterns scattered about, a s’mores and trail mix bar, and a handmade Camp Kitto sign to tie it all together. Our tables were styled with signage and stationery from Summit and Sage, with flowers by Olive Grove Designs.
Tell us about your wedding outfits.
Our outfits were one of the first things we planned. Hannah’s suit was our top priority. We wanted the classic structure of a sport coat but tailored perfectly for her. Langel & Woods in Des Moines delivered, and when she put on that green velvet jacket, we knew we had nailed it.
Similarly, Bridal Boutique helped bring my dream dress to life. Originally sleeveless with a low back, I added soft, billowy sleeves and a slightly higher back. At my final fitting, I spotted the veil in the boutique window and just knew, it was the perfect finishing touch.
The most meaningful detail, though, was Hannah’s “something borrowed.” My grandparents were the definition of love – married for 50 years – and we wanted to honor that. Hannah wore my grandmother’s diamond tennis bracelet, a piece she has always loved. My uncle also surprised us by lending her my grandfather’s Piaget watch from the ’80s. When we met at the altar, she whispered, “Look down, Honey.” On one wrist was the watch, on the other the bracelet. It felt like my grandparents were right there with us.
What was your ceremony like?
The ceremony started with a little mischief. I had tucked a Kodak camera into my dress pocket, and right before I reached the altar, I pulled it out and snapped a picture of Hannah waiting for me. The whole crowd laughed, and the moment instantly felt light.
Rick, my dad’s best friend, officiated and read from a Bible I had been annotating since I was 18 as a gift for my future partner. Hearing those words aloud, standing in front of Hannah, was everything I imagined.
What moments from the wedding day stand out most?
There are so many, but a few rise to the top. My grandfather had set aside bottles of Silver Oak wine in 1996 for my wedding day, and we shared them in a quiet basement tasting with family. My dad, who knew he couldn’t get through his speech without crying, pre-recorded it and played it through the DJ. It was thoughtful and very him.
And then there was the dance floor. If you haven’t screamed “Pink Pony Club” at the top of your lungs at a gay wedding, you have not lived. It was electric.
Dinner was unforgettable too. Everything Kim cooked with Michelle was locally sourced. Guests went back for seconds and thirds until we nearly ran out.
What were some of the biggest challenges of planning a backyard wedding?
A backyard wedding sounds dreamy, but logistically it was a lot. Thankfully, my dad and his best friend Rick took charge, showing up with actual blueprints of our backyard to plan out every chair and light. Rick’s wife, Kim, is a chef and handled the menu with my stepmom, Michelle, sourcing fresh ingredients from local markets.
There were some funny curveballs, like when my dad tracked down 50 cartons of fresh milk for our rehearsal dinner. But the real takeaway is that our people showed up for us. Aunt Laura quietly handled laundry and honeymoon bags, Hannah’s sister flew in to do the flowers, and family stayed behind to clean after the wedding. That kind of support made every challenge worth it.
Photography by Jason Thomas Crocker
Cake Molly’s Cupcakes
DJ Nick Nystrom
Dress Bridal Boutique
Florist Olive Grove Designs
Hair & Makeup Salon Spa W
Pants & Shirt Langel Woods
Signage & Stationery Summit and Sage
