🐝 A “Hive” of Activity: Taylor & Joel’s Buzz-Worthy Wedding at The Hive at Busy Bee🐝

Saturday night, we had the pleasure of celebrating Taylor and Joel Vaskey’s wedding at The Hive at Busy Bee, just north of Indianola. From the moment I arrived, I knew it was going to be a special night. The venue itself is stunning, nestled in six acres of professionally landscaped grounds. The Hive is a newer venue, built in 2021, and features over 8,000 square feet of event space. Its location near Banner Lakes at Summerset State Park offers endless photo opportunities.

Taylor’s father was the first to greet me, which immediately set a welcoming tone for the night. It’s always great to feel appreciated right from the start. Inside the venue, I quickly realized that Taylor and Joel had hired an all-star team of vendors, including Lisa from Silver Elements Events for décor and flowers, MK from Everlasting Photo, and the talented Matt from Roelsgard Media Studio. With such a strong vendor team, I knew we were in for a smooth and fun night.

The ceremony was held outside, and while the beautiful open space created stunning views, the lack of shade made it a warm event. However, Joel and Taylor took the time to personally greet and release each guest after the ceremony, which is such a thoughtful way to make sure they had connected with everyone before the reception began.

For their first dance, Taylor and Joel opted to use our cold spark machines, which made the moment even more magical. Cold sparks are a surefire way to wow your guests, and the reaction was just as fantastic as always.

For the grand entrances, we went with a fun and energetic twist. After introducing the bridal party in groups, we kicked things off with the Thunderstruck Game to AC/DC’s Thunderstruck, which had the crowd buzzing with excitement. It’s always fun to see how much energy a simple game can bring to the reception.

Dinner was absolutely delicious, featuring green beans, mashed potatoes, and a unique deconstructed Parmesan chicken. Having Lisa from Silver Elements Events help release the tables allowed me to enjoy a quick break before the dancing really began.

After the speeches and ceremonial dances, we kicked off the dance floor with one of my favorite activities—Scavenger Hunt/Musical Chairs. It’s a fun and interactive way to get guests involved early, and Taylor and Joel’s guests had a blast. The final two contestants even did a cash grab, which was a fun alternative to a traditional dance-off.

Throughout the night, the energy stayed high. Taylor and Joel had two requests during our meeting: Big Booty Mix 24 and “no boring songs.” I made sure to keep the crowd singing and dancing all night long. It was clear that everyone came ready to celebrate, and there wasn’t a dull moment on the dance floor.

One of the most emotional moments of the night came during Taylor and Joel’s private last dance. After all the excitement of the day, they shared an intimate moment alone on the dance floor, just the two of them, soaking in the beauty of their day. It’s such a special way for couples to reflect on the celebration and spend a few peaceful minutes together before the night officially ends. I always love when couples choose this, as it gives them a quiet, beautiful moment in a day that’s usually full of activity.

All in all, it was a night to remember. Taylor and Joel were fantastic to work with, and the whole vendor team made the evening run seamlessly. I can’t wait to see what future events at The Hive at Busy Bee have in store.

As always, be sure to check out our weekly blogs for more wedding stories, tips, and inspiration. And don’t forget—voting for the Iowa Wedding Choice Awards is coming up soon! Be sure to vote for The Sound Doctor DJ & Photo Booth for Reception Music! 🎉