Des Moines Heritage Center

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Our Wedding

<p>We may not have the biggest or best story around, but we couldn’t imagine our story playing out any other way. Ashley started working at Mickey’s during her senior year of college to make some extra cash, but loved working there so much she never left. Years later, Frank started coming to the pub on a semi-regular basis with friends and family. He always noticed, what he said, was a cute, but short, bartender working a lot of the times he would come in. He never really sat at the bar, due to being with a group of people, so once he moved into an apartment with his daughters in Waukee, he decided to start visiting the pub more alone and would sit at the bar top. It took quite a few visits before Ashley could remember his name, but she always remembered his drink order, a bud light draw with a salt shaker. Ashley started to sit down next to Frank when she would get off working the day shift at the pub, and Frank started asking her to go to dinner with him. She declined multiple times, but finally, one day, she agreed. She met him at his place and he cooked her an amazing steak dinner and even had a bottle of moscato in the fridge for her. (This was back when she only liked the super sweet wines, now she’s a red wine girl all the way!). Ashley and Frank immediately started hanging out more, Frank would even babysit her dog, Tucker, when she had to work longer shifts at the pub. Initially, Ashley would tell Frank that she would never date him, but obviously, she finally gave in. Ashley had always joked with Frank that if he were to ever propose and it wasn’t with a blue raspberry or a cherry ring pop, she would say no. Cut to June 9th, 2023, Ashley and Frank went with their two very good friends, Matt and Sarah, for dinner and a weekend away for Ashley’s birthday. As we were waiting for our dessert to come to the table, Frank slid a STRAWBERRY ring pop towards Ashley. Her immediate response was, well it’s the wrong flavor, thinking the whole thing was just a joke. Then he slid the real ring over and asked if that was better and if she would marry him. Now it is time to celebrate the new Rizzutis! #RizzutiOrNotHereWeCome</p>

How The Couple Met

Our Story

Photos

Melissa is Ashley's sister. She was the first person Ashley called after Frank proposed. The first thing Ashley said in that conversation was "are you ready to be a maid of honor?". People say sisters are best friends that are chosen for you and that is exactly what they are. They can fight with each other, but never stay mad... usually because there is something that happened that they have to tell the other one. There is no way Ashley could get married without her sister right by her side. 

Melissa Booth

Kylene is also Ashley's sister. She may not have been in her life for her whole life, but she has been there for her since he was 6. Kylene plays a big part in why the wedding is happening. Kylene lived in Waukee while Ashley went to college in Ames. She would invite Ashley to lunch at Mickey's, where actually ended up getting a job her senior year. Without that job, Ashley and Frank would have never met. Again, there wouldn't be a wedding without her by Ashley's side!

Kylene Blanchard

LeeAnn is also Ashley's sister. Same as Kylene, LeeAnn became as sister to Ashley when she was 6. LeeAnn and Ashley have always had a great sister relationship, it just came naturally despite the 10 year age gap. She has always just been a phone call away for anytime Ashley just wants to chat or share a funny story. Ashley couldn't imagine a wedding without LeeAnn standing up with her. 

LeeAnn Weggen

Krissy and Ashley met at Mickey's back in 2013. They instantly became friends and are now pretty inseparable. They are always in constant communication. It is even a running joke between them and Frank that Krissy knows things about the wedding before Frank does. Krissy was an immediate add to Ashley's wedding party and she wouldn't be able to walk down the aisle without her. 

Krissy Gatrel

Sarah AKA Turkey has been friends with Ashley for at least a decade. She started at Mickey's and there was an instant friendship formed. Ashley and Sarah have daily gossip hours, which isn't an interesting as it seems, it is basically sitting on the phone with each other for about an hour and half the time not even talking, just going about their daily lives. Ashley was in Sarah's wedding and jokes with her husband, Matt, that he married both of them. She was also there when Frank proposed to Ashley, lucky for them she thought to pull out her phone and get some great pictures! 

Sarah Fulton

Frank hasn't known Henry for as long as others in the wedding party, but they became great friends in a short span of time. They have bonded over some great adventures and their love of sports! Ashley even jokes that she has to share Frank with Henry and that they go on more vacations together than Frank and Ashley do. 

Henry Avila

Frank has been friends with Mark for over 30 years (almost longer than Ashley has been alive), maybe some day he will be able to be within 20 strokes of his golf game!!! Our wedding wouldn't be right if Mark wasn't standing up with Frank. 

Mark Mahlstedt

Frank met Brodie through Mickey's and Ashley. Ashley and Brodie have been best friends for at least 10 years. Let's be honest, Brodie should probably be on Ashley's side. Brodie is a great guy and would drop anything to help you out when needed. We are happy to have him stand up with us. 

Mark Broderson

Brian has been a great friend of Frank for over 30 years (honestly, probably as long as Ashley has been alive). Brian is the only member of Frank's side who shares Frank's love of the Cyclones. As such a good friend to Frank, we couldn't get married without him by our side. 

Brian Thies

Frank and Blaine met because Blaine is Melissa's (maid of honor) husband. They instantly connected over sports. They even got to drive nascars together in Newton shortly after Frank and Ashley started dating (thanks to their loving partners). Ashley thinks Frank may be more excited to officially have Blaine as a brother in law more than anything else!

Blaine Booth

Caitlin is Frank's oldest daughter. She was 15 when Ashley and Frank started dating and she has been so accepting of Ashley since day one. Both Ashley and Frank agree that in no world would we want a wedding that she was not standing up with us. 

Caitlin Rizzuti

Lizzy is Frank's youngest daughter. She was 12 when Ashley and Frank started dating and has been so accepting of Ashley since day one. Both Ashley and Frank agree that in no world would we want a wedding where she wasn't standing up with us. 

Elizabeth Rizzuti

Andy has been a great friend to Frank and Ashley for years. Honestly, this wedding wouldn't even happen without Andy. Ashley went to Mickey's in 2012 and asked for a job (because she loved the nachos and thought wouldn't at a bar sounded fun). She was freshly 21 at the time and was hired. Cut to 2020, Ashley met Frank and here we are. If Andy hadn't hired Ashley, Frank and her would have never met. It only feels right to have him be our officiant!! 

Ashley & Frank

Ashley & Frank

Things to Do

Ricochet

Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

The Fat Putter Des Moines

Blank Park Zoo

Pappajohn Sculpture Park

Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack, & Hotel

El Bait Shop