One of my favorite spots in Des Moines, The Outside Scoop makes small-batch ice cream that’s truly unmatched. I love their roasted cherry goat cheese and watermelon sorbet, and their pink truck is the cutest addition to a wedding. They even serve waffle cone chips, which are my personal favorite.

Whitney, the artist behind Cake Baby out of West Des Moines, makes absolutely gorgeous custom cakes and desserts for weddings. She offers traditional, vegan, and gluten-free options, and every cake I’ve seen from her has been artfully made and a joy for her couples.

Crème is an award-winning Asian-inspired wedding cake bakery and local dessert shop in Des Moines, and they are one of my all time favorites for wedding cake and cupcakes – their buttercream is unreal. They offer a wide variety of classic, gluten-free and vegan desserts with globally-inspired flavor options. as well as milk bread loaves, buns and rolls. Highly recommend!!!

Cake It Away, Baby! is a cottage bakery in Des Moines known for playful lambeth cakes, cookies, and bespoke desserts. I worked with her on a T4T styled shoot, and the cake she created was as fun and thoughtful as it was delicious — a perfect fit for couples who want something creative and personal on their wedding day.

A queer-owned vegan and gluten-free bakery in downtown Des Moines, Thistle’s Summit cakes and baked goods are a favorite among vegan couples, and their focus on inclusivity and community makes them a standout choice. Marti also officiates weddings, and I’ve loved working with her in that role. She brings the same sense of care, creativity, and inclusivity to ceremonies as she does to her desserts.