Wow, wow, wow! That’s the only way to describe Lane and Serena Koch’s wedding at Hotel Grinnell in Grinnell, Iowa. From the beautiful ceremony on the third floor in the Auditorium to the lively reception on the second floor in the ballroom, this wedding was truly something special. Hotel Grinnell, originally a historic school, has been beautifully transformed into a boutique hotel with a unique mix of historic charm and modern elegance.
Now, this wedding was a full-circle moment for me. I coached Lane’s high school baseball team alongside his dad back when I worked at South Tama. During the ceremony, I caught his dad smirking, watching Lane wait to walk down the aisle, and it instantly took me back to when we’d sit in the dugout before a game. His dad even mentioned it later—it was one of those emotional moments that made me feel grateful to be part of this amazing family again.
The ceremony was beautifully led by Pastor Warren, but there was a funny moment when his mic transmitter popped out of his pocket during his message about unity. While he continued speaking, I jumped in to re-attach his mic and make sure everything was good to go. It’s only the second time in eight years I’ve had to do this, but it’s a reminder that when you hire a professional, we make sure everything runs smoothly—even with the unexpected!
After the ceremony, the bridal party headed off on a party bus while the guests enjoyed cocktail hour in the hotel’s bar. The team at Hotel Grinnell did an amazing job keeping everyone in the cocktail area until 6 PM, giving me time to move one of my wireless speakers and make sure the ballroom was ready for the reception. When the doors opened, guests flooded in, and it was like one big reunion of familiar faces from Tama—such a fun atmosphere!
One of the coolest moments of the night was Serena’s nephew, Landon, introducing the bridal party. Sure, his mic skills weren’t perfect, but seeing him so excited to announce his favorite aunt and uncle was priceless. It was a great moment, and who knows—we might have a future entertainer in the making!
Dinner was catered by Smokin’ G’s BBQ out of Marshalltown, and let me tell you, the smoked brisket and chicken were incredible. Molly and I hadn’t been to their restaurant in years, but they did not disappoint! Plus, I didn’t have to release the tables, which gave me a little breather before we moved on to speeches and dancing.
Once the tables were cleared, the dance floor opened up, and Lane and Serena’s bar vibe vision came to life. The dance floor stayed packed most of the night, and when it wasn’t, we took advantage of the lulls with activities like the anniversary dance. That’s part of what we do—keeping the night moving and adjusting to the flow, so there’s never a dull moment.
The night ended with about 30 people on the dance floor, singing along to Zach Bryan’s “Revival”—such a great way to close out an amazing evening. Seeing old friends and familiar faces made it even more special, and I’m so happy for Lane and Serena.
Congratulations, Lane and Serena! I’m truly honored to have been part of your special day, and I wish you both a lifetime of happiness.
Oh, and don’t forget—voting for the Iowa Wedding Choice Awards is happening now! We’ve been nominated for Best Reception Music, and we’d love your vote! Click HERE to help us be named the best! Be sure to spread the word and have your friends vote too! 🎶🎉
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