Courtship: Sarah Gros and Dillan Newbold, natives of Illinois and Iowa respectively, met in August 2012 at a University of Iowa Sailing Club meeting. Sarah, who’d recently transferred from the University of Illinois, approached Dillan when she overheard a conversation about organic chemistry. Soon, they were going on dates on a sailboat at sunset and at a Hawkeye football game. After three years, the couple settled here. Sarah currently studies medicine at the University of Iowa while Dillan pursues his education at Washington University. Despite the distance, they see each other nearly every weekend. But they’re looking forward to beginning their residencies at the same hospital in two years.
Proposal: When Sarah asked Dillan if he was proposing on their trip to Seattle, he responded, “You can’t ask me that.” On their next trip to the West Coast, in 2016—to celebrate both her birthday and the couple’s fourth anniversary—he managed to catch her by surprise. When they were unable to find a campsite in Crescent City, California, they opted for a parking lot next to the beach. Walking along the foggy shore at sunrise, Dillan asked Sarah to marry him.
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Ceremony: Rather than get married in one of their native states, Dillan and Sarah wanted to exchange vows in the state where they’d built a home together. On Pinterest, they discovered The Lalumondiere, a historic mill with a picturesque view of the Big River and lush gardens. A college friend officiated the ceremony. Sarah’s parents escorted her down the aisle to guitar accompaniment. She and the bridal party clasped bouquets of succulents created by Dillan’s mother. Following the ceremony, the couple took photos on the bridge. Guests were ushered across the bridge for a champagne toast with the newlyweds, who then led family and friends across the river for a cocktail hour and reception.
Reception: The reception was simple and informal. The laid-back outdoor party featured dishes passed between tables, inflatable furniture, a dance floor, and a performance by the groom’s band. Dillan’s grandmother sewed and embroidered pillows to accent the blow-up couches, and a cousin created the table centerpieces. Two specialty cocktails celebrated locally beloved creations from Taste and Sasha’s and included riffs on She’s Lost Control and a coffee shot. For the first time in his life, Dillan sang; surrounded by the most important people in their lives, he serenaded Sarah. They concluded the evening with a long-held ritual: Someone put on a pot of coffee. While enjoying their drinks on the patio, surrounded by the stars and the sound of rushing water, a raccoon suddenly surprised them—causing Dillan to scream and Sarah to topple out of her chair. The newlyweds later enjoyed a month-long honeymoon across 10 countries, including stops in Iceland, Amsterdam, Southeast Asia, and Olympic National Park in Washington state.
The Details:
Ceremony and Reception: The Lalumondiere Mill and Rivergardens
Photography: Elizabeth Lloyd Photography
Bride’s Dress: Hayley Paige, Bella Bianca Bridal Couture
Bridesmaids Dresses: Tulle & Chantilly
Tuxes: The Backroom
Catering: Tony Marino’s
