Love Letter from Mercedes If you didn't already know, I graduated from Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 2020. In June 2026, I was incredibly honored to be contacted by the Xavier Alumni Association and notified that I had been selected as the Xavier Alumni Business of the Month for my business, Miss Matrimony. Receiving the Miss Matrimony Xavier Alumni Business of the Month recognition is an honor I truly do not take for granted. Building Miss Matrimony has been a

Why Hire an Iowa Proposal Planner? Planning a proposal should feel exciting — not overwhelming. For many partners, the moment of getting down on one knee is something they’ve imagined for years. But between busy schedules, finding the perfect location, coordinating details, and making sure the surprise goes smoothly, proposal planning can quickly become stressful. That’s exactly why Miss Matrimony now offers proposal planning services in Iowa. Whether you have a full vision i

Valentine’s Day looks a little different once you’re engaged. It’s less about grand gestures and more about celebrating your love story — and honestly? Some of the best dates can also spark inspiration for your wedding day. If you’re newly engaged (or deep in planning mode), here are a few Valentine’s Day date ideas that are not only romantic, but might just help you envision your dream wedding, too. 1. Wine Tasting or Cozy At-Home Wine Night Whether you’re visiting a local

Many couples picture a wedding planner as someone who “keeps things on track” — but the reality is far more involved. On a wedding day, there are dozens of moving pieces happening at once, and our role is to manage all of them so you don’t have to. At Miss Matrimony, every package includes day-of coordination because no matter how much planning goes into a wedding, someone needs to be fully present to execute it. Below is a behind-the-scenes look at what we handle on your we

On Monday, January 19th at 9:40 AM, I had the absolute honor of appearing live on KCRG’s Everyday Iowa with Catherine at the KCRG TV-9 studio in downtown Cedar Rapids as an Iowa wedding planner . This was my first-ever TV interview, and saying yes to this opportunity was both incredibly exciting and very nerve-wracking — in the best way. Just one month after officially launching Miss Matrimony in December of 2025, I found myself sharing my heart, my business, and my passion

Planning your wedding in Eastern Iowa ? You’re in luck — this region is full of stunning venues, from rustic barns and historic estates to elegant ballrooms and orchard-inspired spaces. Whether you’re dreaming of a countryside celebration, a vineyard wedding, or a modern city-chic event, Eastern Iowa has options to fit every style, guest count, and budget. This guide to Eastern Iowa wedding venues will help you explore your options, compare amenities, and start narrowing dow

If you’re recently engaged and planning an Iowa wedding , one of the very first questions you’re probably asking is: “What wedding vendors should we book first?” Planning a wedding in Iowa comes with its own unique challenges. Between popular venues booking quickly across Eastern Iowa, limited vendor availability during peak Midwest wedding season, and staying on budget while making your dream wedding vision a reality, knowing the correct order to book wedding vendors can ma

Getting engaged is one of the most exciting moments of your life — and then, almost immediately, the questions start. Where do we begin? How long should we be engaged? What actually matters first? What should be my next steps after getting engaged? If you’ve just said yes and feel equal parts excited and overwhelmed, this guide is for you. These are the true next steps I walk couples through as they enter engagement season — calm, intentional, and without the pressure to do e

Your wedding day is filled with fleeting, unfiltered moments that happen between the “big” ones. A wedding content creator captures those real-time emotions—so you can relive the laughter, tears, and behind-the-scenes magic before your professional photos are even ready.

Wedding planning is more than timelines and details — it’s about relationships, emotion, and walking alongside couples from “yes” to “I do.” This post is a glimpse into why I became a wedding planner, the love stories that inspire me, and the heart behind Miss Matrimony.