Rehearsal Dinner

Magnolia Farms

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Breakfast Bunch

Fall

Our Wedding

The couple met their senior year in high school through a mutual friend. Before they began dating, they would play various board and card games with friends in the school cafeteria. The bride asked the groom out in the most corny way: writing "Do you want to go to a movie?" on a coffee cup with yes or no checkboxes. They began dating in December of 2020 and got engaged in September of 2023. The proposal was small and intimate at Arbor Day Farm during Applejack Festival. Applejack has been a sentimental experience and place for the bride since she was a young girl. Her family would often attend Applejack with close relatives and her great grandmother, who Jaelyn was very close with prior to her passing. The couple has faced many hardships together including a long distance relationship, health struggles, and the passing of loved ones. Their relationship has only grown stronger as they continue to navigate this crazy experience that we call life. The couple is very excited to see everyone celebrate at their wedding!&nbsp;They look forward to their lifelong partnership, traveling the world, settling into their careers, and starting a family someday.

Our Story

Benjamin Gruwell Photography

Photos

Jancy Nielson

Jaden Clark 

Katie Hughes 

Logan Pekarek 

Jackie Clark 

Angelo Ordaz 

Miguel Carrion 

Alla Smothers 

Jody Nielson

Ronald Nielson 

Julie Smothers 

Louis Smothers 

Maddie Hernandez 

Wedding Party 

Important Information

We have partnered with the Hampton Inn West Des Moines Lake Drive for hotel guest rooms for our wedding,&nbsp;October 4th, 2025!&nbsp;To book a room at the discounted rate, please call the hotel directly at 515-223-4700 and ask for the&nbsp;Smothers-Nielson Wedding&nbsp;block.&nbsp;You can also book online using the following link:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/smothers-nielson-wedding/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Smothers-Nielson Wedding</a>.&nbsp;Book by&nbsp;September 3rd, 2025&nbsp;for the discounted rate.&nbsp;

Hampton Inn West Des Moines Lake Drive

Sleep-In Waukee-West Des Moines 

MainStay Suites Waukee-West Des Moines 

Travel

Timeline is subject to change in accordance with weather or delays!

Timeline 

Registry

Jaelyn & Ethan

Jaelyn & Ethan

Photos