Micro, Multicultural, Adventurous Wedding - Pikes Peak State Park in McGregor, Iowa
Abby and Zuhayr reached out to me last year, explaining their unique circumstances and wedding wishes. They planned to have an intimate, multicultural wedding with a mix of Bengali and American traditions at Pikes Peak State Park just 10 minutes from me near Prairie du Chien, WI. They shared with me that they loved hiking, exploring, and being in nature, and their wedding would incorporate all of these things. Needless to say their wedding sounded like it would be a true fairy tail, and it was!
Abby and Zuhayr started dating four years ago after meeting at the school they both attended, Grinnell College. Since then, their relationship has blossomed despite many challenges including living cross country from each other, a pandemic, navigating college, and more. They are both so down to earth, and are a true insight of what it means to love someone.
In all, their Friday wedding was very relaxed and intimate. We met at Grumpsters Cabins in McGregor, where the family would be staying and where Abby and Zuhayr were getting ready. The couple only wished for 4 hours of photography coverage on their intimate day, so when I arrived Abby was already in her wedding dress, a semi-traditional Bengali Wedding saree. Although sarees are typically worn in red and gold on the wedding day, Abby chose a white and silver color palette to also incorporate American tradition. She also wore gorgeous Bangles lining her arms complimented by other glistening jewelry as well. Zuhayr was also dressed in traditional Bengali wedding wear, as he wore a white sherwani and traditional wedding shoes in a shining gold color.
Once everyone was ready, we made the 5-10 minute drive over to Pikes Peak State Park in McGregor, Iowa. Abby and Zuhayr were joined by their closest family members on the small lookout over the Mississippi River for their ceremony. Abby’s big brother officiated the marriage, and the couple’s close friend sang as guests took their seats and the couple walked down the ‘aisle’. Abby and Zuhayr each shared their vows and recited lines from a book special to them, The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran.
After sealing the marriage with a kiss, we took family portraits over the look out before I third wheeled a two mile hike with Abby and Zuhayr.
We went to the Crows Nest lookout, Bridal Veil Falls, then continued to see the Effigy Mounds. Among the miles of trails in Pikes Peak the stunning views are endless between the unique bulging mounds, acres of forest, Bridal Veil Falls crashing down over rock and forming into a stream below, the many lookouts over the Mississippi River, and the view over small town McGregor, IA and into the Wisconsin marshes and bluffs.
In all, Pikes Peak made for a beautiful and affordable intimate wedding venue.
After following the trail back to the parking lot, we headed back to Grumpsters Cabins for dinner, where the moms had prepared Abby and Zuhayr their favorite home cooked meals.
The new Mr. and Mrs. also changed into something a bit more comfortable for dinner (although they still looked amazing in their outfits, and my favorite part, the Crocs!)
Congratulations Abby and Zuhayr, and thank you for allowing me to capture your intimate wedding adventures near Prairie du Chien!
