Wisconsin Weddings

Imagine a wedding venue as picturesque as they come and you won’t even come close to this gorgeous marrying spot. Elkhart Lake is now wholeheartedly on my radar and it’s 100% because of those turquoise blue waters fringed in greenery. Good combo Wisconsin. And Anna Page, who has long been a regular on my radar, captured a whole weekend of merriment that ended with a Bride in lace marrying her love. Also a good combo. See all those pretty images straight from Anna’s lens right here.

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From the Bride… When A.J. and I became engaged, we immediately began the search for a unique outdoor wedding location in our home state of Wisconsin. From the moment we arrived in Elkhart Lake, we knew we had discovered it! It was our goal to offer a fun, relaxing ‘getaway weekend’ with the opportunity for our family and friends to enjoy and celebrate this exciting moment with us. Once we had decided on Victorian Village Resort as our venue (it’s bursting with the quaint, vintage charm I was looking for), the planning process came very naturally with the combination of my event planning background and my mom’s professional graphic design & marketing skills. We worked side by side from beginning to end to establish the simple, sophisticated, yet rustic ascetic I had envisioned. The styling (or ‘branding’) of the wedding was essential to successfully tying together every last detail of the event, including our save the dates, invitations, menus, escort cards, labels, stationary, ceremony programs, signs, thank you cards, and so much more. The added touches of custom wine favors, matchbooks, napkins, and cigars were all finishing touches that were icing on the cake.

My mom has always said, “It’s all in the presentation!” And it certainly proved true in our case. We arrived in sunny Elkhart Lake the Thursday before our wedding and commenced the merriment immediately with dinner and drinks at Lake Street Cafe. The rehearsal dinner on Friday evening at the Paddock Club was the perfect ‘official’ start to our celebration with exceptional food, service, and atmosphere. The morning of our wedding began with a forecast of rain – but by some miracle, the clouds never arrived and we had the most perfect, sunny day. Our stunning flowers arrived from House of Flowers, and A.J. and I shared our ‘first look’ moment beneath the shade of some beautiful trees near our ceremony location. Seeing each other for the first time was such a special moment for us – certainly one that we’ll never forget. After taking family and wedding party photos with the super-talented Anna and Jonathan Wheeler of Anna Page Photography, our ceremony took place in a beautiful little corner of the lawn with a perfectly landscaped background. We were beyond happy with the heartfelt, personalized ceremony our officiant, Rev. Christine Weidner performed, and many of our guests commented on how the ceremony felt like it was a true reflection of A.J. and I as a couple – which was the best compliment we could have received. 

Walking into our 40×100′ reception tent from Fox Cities Party Rental literally took my breath away. There was candlelight, ivory, and flowers everywhere – it was heaven. My mother, aunt, and an amazing group of family and friends spent the morning of our wedding making sure everything was in its place including the beautiful centerpiece flower boxes and easels for our photo display lovingly built by my grandfather, patterned table runners sewed by my grandmother, and escort cards/favors of tiny terra cotta pots filled with sweet basil that my mother and I had planted six weeks earlier. My friend Kay Williamson worked her magic with the family photo display, dessert table, ceremony decorations, and much, much more. The love was definitely in the details like a bowl of fresh green apples, vintage suitcase Card Box, thank you notes wrapped around each of the dinner napkins, and chalkboard signs done by friend and calligrapher, Martha Van Driest. We had a large, non-traditional wedding party (my two brothers were the ‘Men of Honor’ and stood up on my side), and we were very happy with our decision to have one, big head table including our attendant’s dates. It really felt right for us to have everyone there together. All of our guests spent the evening sipping on Mojitos and Bell’s Oberon Beer (bride & groom’s favorite drinks, respectively), dancing to the sounds of Jazz Orgy, and enjoying amazing desserts and cake pops from Bakery on State in Manitowoc. In a word, it was magical — from start to finish, the experience was filled with warmth, laughter, and joy, and we couldn’t have imagined more as we began our lives together.

Wedding Photography: Anna Page Photography / Wedding Venue + Catering: Victorian Village Resort in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin / Rehearsal Dinner: Paddock Club / Floral Design: Robin Zernzach of House of Flowers / Wedding Stationery + Styling: Dinah Mueller Designs (dinahdesigns@hotmail.com) / Officiant: Reverend Christine Weidner / Wedding Cinematography: Singer Carney (i_singer@hotmail.com) / Desserts: Bakery on State / Ice Cream: Scoops Ice Cream Parlor / Music: The Jazz Orgy / DJ: Matt’s DJ Service / Tent Rental: Fox Cities Party Rental / Tent Lighting: Lights For All Occasions / Table Number Pots: One Kings Lane / Centerpiece Flower Boxes + Photo Display Easels: Bride’s Grandfather / Chalkboards: Save on Crafts / Chalkboard Calligraphy: Martha VanDriest (martha.vandriest@gmail.com) / Custom Wine Bottles: Black Star Farms / Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier / Bride’s Heels: Badgley Mischka / Bride’s Flats: TOMS / Bride’s Hair Comb: Glamorous Bijoux / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Hair + Makeup: Destiny Holmes and Petra Aubrey of Salon Aura / Suits: Jos A. Banks / Groom + Groomsmen’s Ties: The Tie Bar / Groom + Groomsmen’s Socks: Express / Bride + Groom’s Rings: Samara Jewelry Designs

We have a beautiful wedding on our hands this morning. One that the Bride perfectly describes as spectacularly classic, and we couldn’t agree more. It is spectacular, and just all out beautiful. It’s easy elegance infused with vintage flair and perfectly picked florals from freshdesign. The result is a gallery that is just image after beautiful image of timeless perfection from Anna Page Photography, and you can devour them all right here.

From freshdesign… Engaged at Big Bay Park, on one of Glendale, Wisconsin’s secluded lakeside beaches, Emily and Justin knew they wanted their wedding day to reflect their unique style. Drawing inspiration from Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, Emily and Justin sought to create an event that was warm, inviting, and timelessly romantic. “[We] wanted the day to seem very vintage, but not kitschy. Just spectacularly classic…with lots of candlelight.”

Completed in 1929, the University Club of Milwaukee is steeped in the rich tradition and details of its time. With such lavish architectural elements as a backdrop, Emily and Justin focused on texture, candlelight, simplicity, and purposeful diversity in design to tell their story. When asked what drew them to the venue, Emily noted, “I loved that it was unlike any other venue; a nontraditional choice for an otherwise traditional wedding. It is such an elegant space and completely spoke for itself; the chandeliers, the art, the dark wood, classic. [We] took one look at the room and knew instantly that was where we were supposed to get married.”

From the seersucker suits and the Swiss dot ties to the period inspired gown, their event had an heirloom quality without feeling dated. Pairing old with new, Emily and Justin chose a varied and diverse floral palette to add an ethereal botanical element. Tufts of moss, dense greenery, and pearls of amaranthus all played a part in creating that mystical garden feel. To keep things fresh, each bridesmaid carried a different bouquet in a complimentary hue while some unexpected varietals, namely thistle, took center stage in the boutonnieres.

During cocktail hour, guests were greeted by a moss encrusted monogram on the place card table, while in the dining area, understated botanical clusters and ample candlelight graced the tables. The cake was deliciously simple, 4 tiers of textured butter cream topped with a traditional bride and groom statuette.

At the stroke of midnight, not a single detail had been left to chance. Perfectly planned to compliment the easy-going elegance and eclectic aesthetic of a care-free couple, Emily and Justin created an unforgettable affair. An affair that captivated guests and carried them to a time not so long gone in a place of enchanted beauty. When asked to recall the most memorable elements of their special day, Emily noted, “The small, special, quiet moments with my family and my new husband. The kind of moments that if I wasn’t paying attention, would be forgotten, but live on in my heart and soul as the most important parts of the day.”

Wedding Photography: Anna Page Photography / Venue + Catering + Linens: The University Club of Milwaukee in Milwaukee, Wisconsin / Floral Design: freshdesign / Officiant: Jan Stanley (jan.b.stanley@gmail.com) / Wedding Cake: Simma’s Bakery / Band: Les Artistes / DJ: Sound By Design / Stationery: Touch of Whimsy Invitations & Gifts (262-646-8915) / Transportation (trolley): Jones Travel / Wedding Dress: BHLDN / Bride’s Veil: Victoria Sdoukos Couture Bridal / Bride’s Shoes: BHLDN  / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Hair + Makeup: Glow Salon & Spa / Groomsmen’s Suits: Jos. A. Bank / Groomsmen’s Ties: Kohl’s (Mark Anthony Collection) /Flower Girl’s Dress: Zita Bridal Salon / Ring Bearer’s Suit + Shirt: J.Crew Crewcuts / Engagement Ring: Lang Jewelers / Bride’s Wedding Band: Thiet Jewelers / Groom’s Wedding Band: Overstock.com

Black and white will never, ever go out of style. It’s fresh and dramatic yet classic all at once and makes for some pretty fabulous images in our humble opinions. Case in point: this beyond lovely Madison, WI wedding from Melissa Hayes Photography. We’re sort of dying over the gorgeous bride and her amazing dress! Oh, and we’ll take her shoes too, thank you very much. Take notes people, this is how you do sophisticated and chic. Click here for even more. 

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… Our love story began 11 years ago at Rock Valley College in Rockford, Illinois. While home from our freshman year at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, Tom and I took a macroeconomics course to get ahead in our studies. According to Tom’s memory, I turned down his offer in the school parking lot to take me on a date that summer, but I swear he never worked up the courage to ask. Six years later, Tom and I found ourselves in the same bar in Chicago, and the rest was history. We spent one glorious year dating in Chicago before Tom started law school and moved to the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Three years and many miles later, Tom got down on one knee in that same Rock Valley College parking lot where we first met, swearing that he truly believes we would not have ended up together in the end had I not “shot him down” back then.

We looked into various Chicago venues, but soon realized that having our wedding in Madison would allow us to reconcile my “champagne taste” with our “beer budget.” Plus, we wanted to share Madison with our friends and family, and our wedding was the perfect opportunity. As an interior designer, I wanted the aesthetic of our wedding to enhance the architecture and atmosphere of both our ceremony and reception. My concept for the wedding evolved into “the juxtaposition of light and shadow.” However, I enlisted a team of artistic collaborators to bring my vision to life! Our invitations, designed by Sarah Drake, were inspired by a ballet performance and reflected our event in print perfectly! Sarah worked with our budget and helped customize a dramatic black and white design from her collection. Sarah incorporated a map I designed on the back of our reception card, and my mom and I added custom envelope liners and stamps featuring Madison’s capitol. However, my proudest DIY project of the entire wedding was the black envelopes with white calligraphy. I simply printed our guests’ addresses in black ink and traced them with a white gel pen. I can’t tell you how many compliments we got on those envelopes!

For the reception, I wanted to create two distinct experiences for the guests that played on our light and shadow concept. The cocktail hour was held on a balcony overlooking the venue’s light-filled lobby. The flowers and linens were all white and modern, which were complimented by the diffused light in the space. Our florist, Erin from Daffodil Parker, created two dramatic arrangements of various white flowers for maximum impact. Black envelopes with white writing (just like our invitations!) served as escort cards, and we used acrylic frames to add dimension to our signage. During our first dance, I cried because I felt so lucky to have been able to marry my best friend AND have the wedding of my dreams. As the party kicked up, Margot (aka Disco Kitty) read the crowd perfectly and kept the dance floor packed all night with an unexpected mix of mash-ups and forgotten favorites. Thankfully, I booked an amazing photographer to capture all the memories of our day. Melissa Hayes is more than just a wedding photographer. She is an artist that has the ability to photograph details on many scales including the setting, food, and small emotional moments. I could not be more thrilled with how the photos turned out. Finally, hiring a wedding coordinator was one of the smartest wedding expenditures I made. Karolina was amazing to work with and an insurance policy that guaranteed I would have the wedding of my dreams. As a result, Tom and  I were able to be guests at our own wedding and celebrate carefree with the friends and family that our so close to us.

Wedding Photography: Melissa Hayes Photography / Wedding Venue: The Overture Center for the Arts in Madison, Wisconsin / Wedding Planning: Weddings by Karolina / Floral Design: daffodil*parker / Wedding Cinematography: Creative Look Imagery / Catering: Catering a Fresco / Wedding Cake: Craig’s Cake Shop / Wedding Invitations: Sarah Drake Design / Ceremony Music: DJ Margot (aka Disco Kitty) of Style Matters / Cake Stand: Vintage / Reflective Mirror Candle Holders: Jamali Garden / Candles: Quick Candles / Wedding Dress: Vera Wang / Hair + Makeup: Anna + Genevieve of Alan Koa Salon

Barn weddings just so happen to be one of our favorite ways to say I Do, so when Dani Stephenson Photography sent this darling Wisconsin soiree our way, we literally could.not.wait to share.  A sweeter than sweet combo of fab rustic touches and darling whimsical details, it’s a gorgeous BHLDN-wearing bride meets lovely mason jar centerpieces meets beyond stunning mustard hues.  This, my friends, is what happens when fun and pretty collide – and you can see so much more right here.

From Dani Stephenson Photography… Lisa and Eric’s wedding was at one of my all-time favorite venues, The Enchanted Barn in Hillsdale, Wisconsin. It’s a magical place to host a wedding, and Lisa and Eric’s details were gorgeous. I loved her colors against the rustic barn. I also loved Lisa’s tea-length dress from BHLDN, and her shoes were to die for — she looked like a little porcelain doll. The day was gorgeous, and everything flowed smoothly. I love these intimate, thoughtful weddings.

From the Bride… I think the things I most about our wedding remember were how much we lucked out on the weather and how wonderful it was to see everyone having such a great time. Everyone was smiling and having fun. I still get compliments from the day, and my parents even get calls at home talking about how much fun and unique our wedding was. I wasn’t so much striving to have an impressive wedding, but I wanted our guests and our wedding party to remember something that was different. I also loved having that once-in-a-lifetime day where everyone we loved was all in one room. Our pictures mean so much to me, and Dani captured so many times and emotions I will never forget. Eric and I are so happy to have had the wedding we dreamed of. It’s nice to look back and think it was all worth it!

Wedding Photography: Dani Stephenson Photography / Wedding Venue: The Enchanted Barn in Hillsdale, Wisconsin / Floral Design: Allure Premier Event Florists / Catering: Saffron Meadows via The Enchanted Barn / Wedding Cupcakes: Cocoa & Fig / Wedding Invitations: Love vs. Design / Save-the-Dates: Wedding Paper Divas / DJ: Blooms and Tunes / Wedding Decorations: DIY + Etsy / Wedding Dress: BHLDN / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka via Piperlime +  Anne Michelle via eBay (Color: Mustard) / Bride’s Veil: Etsy / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: ModCloth / Bridesmaids’ Shoes: Urban Outfitters / Bridesmaids’ Earrings: Etsy / Bridal Party Hair: Jennifer Ruppert + Lisa Thorson of Salon Junallo / Menswear: Allure Premier Event Florists

With flowers so pretty we could literally cry, this wedding is top of the gorgeous charts. Situated in a Wisconsin barn, it’s as casual and chic as they come – and those aforementioned blooms? From our favorites, Alluring Blooms, no less. Andrea Paradowski Photography really captured the beauty of this soiree and we put it all in a gallery for all our favorite people (you!).

Click here to see the full image gallery!

A little bit about us….I grew up in New Glarus, Wisconsin and my fiance, Christopher, grew up on the eastern side of Washington state. We met at school at the University of Iowa, I was getting my masters in nursing and he was in medical school. Christopher started his residency in July and I work in the pediatric ICU. When we find free time we love to be outside, running, biking, hiking (fishing and hunting for Chris).

While planning our wedding we looked to fulfill three goals; we wanted to have an original venue that allowed us to use our creativity, the locale to utilize Madison-area vendors, and somewhere our guests could enjoy the evening in a relaxed atmosphere. The O’Brien Barn was the perfect location to achieve what we were looking for. We were able to put together a personal event that used locally-produced food and beer with sweet, rustic charm. Before becoming an amazing place for weddings and celebrations, the O’Brien Barn was used for dairy farming. My father spent his career as a large animal veterinarian in the area working in barns just like this, adding another special connection for my family.

Our ceremony took place on the top level (hay mow) of the barn; the ceremony was put together and officiated by my brother. Christopher wrote the vows we each recited. We watered a tree sapling together to symbolize the growth and strength of our marriage. The tree was taken from my parent’s wooded land and will be planted near our home. Our caterer prepared appetizers and dinner utilizing local farmers. The fresh and seasonal flavor of the food was important to us and he captured just what we were hoping for. Dinner was served family-style so our guests would feel as if they were home. A friend bartended, serving up cocktails we each chose into jar-mugs that each guest took as a favor. New Glarus Beer was also on tap outside. We cut a small raspberry-cobbler celebration cake while guests enjoyed delicious cupcakes along with the caterer’s homemade single serving apple pies.

The dinner tables were covered in mason jars Christopher and I had collected from antique stores. In the clear jars were floating candles that provided just the right amount of sparkle and the blue jars were used for the stunning floral arrangements. My father and Christopher gave touching speeches that took us into the dance to continue the celebration. The band, which included a friend of ours, played music we both loved and we danced the night away. Throughout the celebration our guests also enjoyed the photo booth, roasting s’mores by the fire pit, playing a couple of our favorite yard games, and visiting with the cows that live right beside the barn.

For Christopher and I the evening was a perfect mix of visiting with friends and family, dancing, and sneaking away with our photographers to take pictures in the beautiful surroundings.

Photography: Andrea Paradowski Photography with second shooter Angela / Flowers: Alluring Blooms / Ceremony & Reception Location: The O’Brien Barn / Officiant: Brother of the Bride / Brides Dress, Bridesmaids’ Dresses, Grooms Suit: J.Crew / Cake & Cupcakes: Bloom Bake Shop / Catering: Ben Lubchansky of 608 Community Supported Kitchen / Photobooth: The Traveling Photo Booth / Band: The Brandy Mans / Hair: Nicole Brauer and Kari Hillebrand

This Fall marked my first time ever visiting an orchard for some good ol’ fashioned apple picking and I loved every.single.minute of it. The way the autumn light catches the crisp apples in their extraordinary powdery colors against the bright green leaves is breathtaking and unique to this autumn tradition. So when I see a wedding like this one at Harvest Time Orchards complete with all that apple orchard beauty and a downright adorable couple, I almost squeal with excitement. And I bet my bottom dollar that you will too when you see all of the images from Wright Photographs in our gallery right here.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… We decided pretty early on that we would get married at Harvest Time Orchard in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin. David told me quite a few times that as a kid some of his most memorable times were made on visits there to visit his grandpa and grandma Rawlins and his dad’s family (aunts, uncles and cousins). His grandparents started and ran the orchard for over 20 years. In 2006, his uncle and aunt, Jim and Sue Hughes, took over the orchard. It is a such a fun place! Thousands of people visit every fall for apple picking, apple cider, pumpkin picking, and memorable family time. Surprisingly, the apples are only the second most popular thing at the orchard – their top seller is their fresh donuts. On their busiest weekend last year, they sold a thousand dozen. :)

I was excited mostly about getting to marry Dave and making official in front of the people who mean the most to us. I was excited to spend the weekend celebrating with my best friends, most of whom I don’t get to see very often because so many of them live out of state. Dave and I were both very excited about the ceremony because we had been praying that God would use it as a reminder to couples of what a beautiful thing marriage is – and that people would be able to leave with a deeper understanding of God’s heart and love for us. We also wanted to honor our own family heritage of marriage passed down from our parents and grandparents. There were a couple more memorable parts of the day. My maid of honor planned a special time with all of the bridesmaids, moms and grandma in the hotel room.  Each girl gave a toast that included a special memory or a blessing. I felt like everyone shared something very meaningful, and I felt so so blessed to have that special time with them. The next most memorable time for me was walking to see Dave for our first look/private ceremony. I will not forget him crying and me just being very excited to finally see him. The private ceremony was powerful and we both felt the presence of God there. Not to mention it was an absolutely gorgeous day! Prayer during the ceremony may be one of the most memorable things of my life. We both chose two couples that have been an encouragement and mentors to us in marriage and in our faith. We asked them to pray for us during the ceremony. The spirit of God was poured out over us.

We did do a lot of DIY projects, mostly because we were committed to sticking to our budget. Our family and friends were a huge part of allowing that to happen as well. Dave and I made a trip to Wisconsin two weeks before the wedding, and with the help of his aunt and uncle, we made the apple crate entrance. We spray painted and stenciled our names on a header board, nailed it across the stacked crates and attached the burlap curtains that I had made. Most of the burlap runners were borrowed, and I made a few of them as well. All of the doilies and white vases I found at garage sales and second-hand places. I cut and glued lace on all of the large centerpiece mason jars and tied jute around the aisle runner flower jars. A friend of mine made all of the burlap and lace silverware holders (I loved these!). Our invitations, the table name cards, seating chart and programs were all designed by David (with a little bit of my help).

Wedding Photography: Wright Photographs / Wedding Venue: Harvest Time Orchard in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin / Floral Design: Kristie Pence of KP Designs / Catering: Stowell’s Catering Service / Roasted Hog: Dave Flemming / Wedding Cake: Cheryl Hicks (An Aunt) / Wedding Invitations, Table Names, Seating Chart, Programs + Apple Crate Entrance: DIY by the Bride & Groom / DJ: John Massey + Caleb Kietzman, Friends of the Couple / Sound System: Loaned by iWorship Church in Springfield, Illinois / Tent Rental: AAA Tent Masters & Party Rentals / Wedding Dress: Blue by Enzoani via Bridal Elegance / Bride’s Shoes: Bridal Elegance / Bride’s Veil: Handmade by a Bridesmaid / Hair: Hannah Kietzman (The Maid of Honor) / Makeup: Katie Baker of Face First Makeup Artistry / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Ann Taylor LOFT / Men’s Attire: Tommy Hilfiger via Macy’s

We are prettying up your lunch hour with the nuptials of two lovebirds as seen through the lovely lens of Kelly Sweet Photography, and trust me when I say, we take prettying up seriously. One peek at all the sweetness below will feel like we waved a wand of lovely over your afternoon – the rustic glamour, the traditional touches, the loft setting – and ta da! All of the sudden you’re afternoon is as pretty as this party. See it all here!

From the Bride… Kacey and I met in college and then proceeded to have a long-distance relationship that spanned half the continent for the next two and a half years. After four years of dating, Kacey proposed and the wedding planning began! The ceremony location was easy for us. We were married at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wauwatosa, a beautiful German church built in the late 1800s that Kacey and I both attended during college. The reception location took a bit more effort to find, but we fell in love with Cuvee in Milwaukee’s Third Ward. The exposed cream city brick walls, old wooden floors, loft space and floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the main street had the rustic, glamourous look we were going for. It fit seamlessly into our color palette of taupe, blush and gray. The bar and dining room were in two separate rooms, which allowed us to play with the decorations. We didn’t have a wedding coordinator, so we designed all the décor and paper goods ourselves. Many of the projects were DIY, and I must thank my mother, aunts and mother-in-law for their help – it certainly could not have been done without them!

For the cocktail area, we went with simple, rustic flower arrangements in vintage, brown bottles and let the beauty of the venue do the rest. In the dining room, we had loose arrangements of peonies, hydrangeas and roses in vintage blue mason jars that I collected over the previous year from antique shops and flea markets. These sat on burlap squares with mercury glass candles surrounding them for a bit of shine. But the highlight of the dining area was probably the dessert table – something I had wanted from the beginning!

Both Kacey and I are history buffs, and we were so honored to have meaningful family heirlooms be such a large part of our wedding. My veil was my mother’s, and my purse was a spectacular beaded bag from the 1930s given to me by my great aunt. Kacey’s wedding band was passed down from his grandfather, and the beaded butterfly appliqué on my bouquet was actually a piece from my great-grandmother’s wedding dress from 1918. So much help from our family and friends went into making this day possible. My mom and aunts helped with so many of the centerpieces and decorations, and even my dad and brothers pitched in to help tie antique keys onto the escort cards. It truly was a group effort from both of our families that helped make our day perfect. Even the rain couldn’t dampen our spirits — a frantic dash from the park to the venue made for great photos and stories!

Wedding Photography: Kelly Sweet Photography / Ceremony: St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin / Reception: Cuvee in Milwaukee, Wisconsin / Floral Design: The Flower Lady / Décor: Designed by the Bride / Catering: Chef Jack’s / Wedding Cake + Dessert Table: Simma’s Bakery / Wedding Invitations + Menus: Designed by the Bride / DJ: Sound by Design / Wedding Dress: Robert Bullock / Bride’s Veil: Her Mother’s / Bride’s Shoes: Rampage / Bride Bouquet Applique: From Her Great-Grandmother’s Wedding Dress / Bride’s Necklace: Bloomingdale’s / Bride’s Bracelet: J.Crew / Bride’s Purse: From Her Great-Aunt / Bride’s Hair + Makeup: Sarah of Impressions Day Spa / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Bill Levkoff / Men’s Suits: DuBois Formalwear / Groom’s Boots: Nocona Boots

A sweet love-story (dating back to high school!) brought this bride and groom together for their classically-chic nuptials. Emma Freeman Photography snapped up all of the thoughtful, personal details of this fall fête held at the beautiful The University Club of Milwaukee. Lovelies, there’s even more inspiration in the full gallery!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… My favorite teacher in high school was Mrs. Schneider. I had her for Chemistry and AP Biology. She was inspiring, motivating, cared about her students, loved her job and loved her family. She talked about her kids in class. She had a son, Jack, who was a couple years older than me, and a daughter, Betsy, who was a year younger. I ended-up getting a mall job during high school and working with Betsy. I met Jack, just once, when I was hanging-out with Betsy at the Schneider house. I thought he was cute … or so my journal entry from that day told me when I looked it up five years later…

Five years after I graduated from high school, my best guy friend, Ryan, asked me to go to Betsy’s wedding as his date, just as a friend — he wanted someone to dance with. It was at Betsy’s wedding that I met Jack for the second time. I guess I couldn’t resist an adorable man in a tuxedo. We totally hit it off, and I spent the night dancing with Jack, not Ryan! Five years after that, after a long-distance relationship between Chicago and Vermont, and my move to be with Jack in Vermont, Jack proposed in our hometown in Wisconsin. He proposed in my parents living room in front of my screaming parents. It was perfect! We knew we wanted to get married in Milwaukee, where our relationship first began. Jack was in medical school in Milwaukee, and I would travel up on weekends from Chicago. We had a list of favorite places, and we wanted to incorporate some of our favorite things about Milwaukee into our wedding.

We wanted a September wedding — warm days and cool nights. The purples and greens of fall were our colors. We wanted a venue with old Milwaukee charm and chose the University Club of Milwaukee for its beautiful brick exterior and view of Lake Michigan. The beautiful St. Hedwig’s Church is blocks from Jack’s medical school apartment and has the quintessential long aisle to walk down! The dress had to fit the classic feel of old Milwaukee and the elegance of the reception venue. I chose a strapless, lace, fit and flare gown with a slight sweetheart neckline. The men looked dapper in tuxedos and black bow-ties and to give their look some color, all wore purple argyle socks. Pictures were taken all around Milwaukee. The place where we wanted to capture moments the most was at our absolute favorite coffee shop, Alterra on the Lake. It was a place we frequented all the time and we have their beans delivered to us in Vermont! It made for a sentimental and beautiful spot for a few photos. No matter the location of the pictures, our photographer, Emma Freeman, managed to capture the most amazing shots throughout the day. The day wouldn’t have been the same without her expert eye and attention to detail!

Guests walked into cocktail hour to the music of a local Celtic group fiddling and fluting and were able to look at old wedding pictures of our family members. The flowers were amazing — some tables had high centerpieces with hanging candles, and others had low centerpieces in beautiful mercury glass vases. It was the perfect setting to enjoy great food, listen to touching toasts and dance the night away. Our wedding day was the best day of our lives, and looking back, I wouldn’t have changed a thing!

Wedding Photography: Emma Freeman Photography / Ceremony: St. Hedwig’s Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin / Reception: The University Club of Milwaukee in Milwaukee, Wisconsin / Floral Design: Impressions by Esther / Event Design + Planning: The Bride and Groom / Wedding Cinematography: Chad Murdoch, A Friend of Bride / Wedding Invitations: Paper Envy / Wedding Dress: Modern Trousseau / Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade / Hair + Makeup: Erin Lobdell / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Nordstrom

As much as I’m loving this preppy lakefront wedding from Christy Tyler Photography, I’m seriously smitten with the story behind it! This couple was married in the garden of the bride’s parent’s house in Lake Geneva; the same garden where they were engaged, where her parents were married and where her brother and his fiancé will be married later this summer!  Be ready to spend the rest of your morning parsing the full gallery!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… Although our motto throughout the wedding planning process was “the wedding is just one day, the marriage is the rest of our lives,” we knew we wanted that one day to be special. Our ceremony was held in the garden of my family’s lake house in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, a place that is special to us for a host of reasons: the home has been in my family for five generations, my parents were married in the same garden, my brother and his fiancé will be getting married there later this summer, and it is where my now-husband proposed. We were very excited about sharing this special place with our friends and family — we wanted to give our guests a real taste of Lake Geneva, so they arrived at the ceremony site by boat!

Our goal was to create a feel of casual elegance on our wedding day. We wanted to make sure our guests felt comfortable and tried to create that feeling by incorporating personal touches throughout: My husband and his dad built the arbor that we were married under, we created a family tree with wedding pictures of family members over the years and put our flowers in pitchers to remind us to “serve one another in love” (Galatians 5:13).  We also wrote personalized notes in each place card for our guests, thanking them for being a part of our wedding day.

My husband and I were blessed with an amazing wedding day and are ready for a lifetime of happiness!

Wedding Photography: Christy Tyler Photography / Ceremony: The Bride’s Family Lake Home in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin / Reception: Lake Geneva Country Club in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin / Floral Design: Lily Pots / Wedding Invitations: TT Patton / Band: Park Avenue Orchestra / Cocktail Hour Boat: Lake Geneva Cruise Line  / Wedding Dress: Marisa / Bride’s Shoes: TOMS / Hair + Makeup: Mia Sorella Salon & Boutique

Pattern and succulents have found the happiest of homes in this Milwaukee shindig. It’s a beautiful explosion of them, in fact, and all caught on camera by the ever talented Anda Marie Photography. And with that pattern and succulent combo comes loads of DIY details and a warehouse transformed into an awesome wedding venue. Finding beauty in the unexpected is the name of this game and we completely dig it. See so much more right here.

From the Bride… We planned this wedding from 3,000 miles away in Maui, and we didn’t see most of the details until a week before the wedding (including all the bridesmaid dresses together — yikes!). We had to trust the vendors, friends and family we had helping us. What helped the most was to hold tight to our vision. We made lots of Pinterest pinboards to help keep all our ideas together and share them with our vendors. In the end, it truly all came together perfectly! Invest in the things that you care most about. For us it was the photography, food and stress level. Our photographer, Anda, was the first vendor we booked, and she was worth every penny. About six months before the wedding we hired a day-of coordinator, Marybeth, who was recommended through our caterer. She was a blessing. She made sure all the details were set up, the vendors were in place and that our family and the two of us didn’t have to stress about anything that day. We couldn’t have done it without her! Our favorite moment of the day was the ceremony. We had talked about making sure we were soaking every moment in so during the ceremony, we made sure to hold hands, whisper to each other and really take in what the other was saying (we wrote our own vows). Remember to stay true to who you are as a couple. We thought no one would notice all the details but us, but we got so many compliments from people saying how personal the wedding was and how they really could see the love in everything. That meant the most to us.

Wedding Photography: Anda Marie Photography / Wedding Venue: Hotwater/Where House in Milwaukee, Wisconsin / Floral Design: Pam Borgart of Milaeger’s / Wedding Coordination: Marybeth Kressin of Ball n Biscuit Catering / Officiant: Rabbi Michael Sommer of Highland Park, Illinois / Catering + Mismatched China: Ball n’ Biscuit Catering / Wedding Cake: DIY by an Aunt / Wedding Invitations: Two Cardinal Day / Invitation Illustrations: Linor Vaknin, A Bridesmaid / Invitation Printing: Clark Graphics / DJ: Double Platinum DJ / Macadamia Nut Favors: DIY by the Groom / Favor Bags: ThatFinalTouch /  Favor Bag Decoration: Linor Vaknin, A Bridesmaid / Chalkboard Door, Seating Chart Door, Window Menu, Favors, Postcard Guest Book, Photobooth Props, Clothes Pins, Glitter Table Numbers + Wedding Invitation Assembly: DIY / Linens: Pacific Event Group in Maui, Hawaii / Chair + Table Rental: All Star Rentals / Italian Book Cloth Ketubah: UrbanCollective / Chuppah: DIY by the Bride’s Mother / Photo Booth: The Traveling Photo Booth / Wedding Dress: Martina Liana via Stone Manor Bridal / Bride’s Hair Piece: Lonkoosh / Bride’s Earrings: Hale Zen in Maui, Hawaii / Bride’s Necklace: 443Jewelry / Bride’s Blue Ring, Forget-Me-Not Pin + Engagement Ring: The Bride’s Grandmother’s / Bride’s Shoes: RSVP “Gigi” / Wedding Dress Hanger: whiskeynweddingbells / Hair + Makeup: Beauty / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Their Choice / Groomsmen’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse / Wedding Rings: Custom via Sanders Jewelers

Good morning, SMPers and a very happy 4th of July to you!  Before you head off to celebrate the holiday with friends, family and fireworks, we just HAD to share this stunning Lake Geneva soiree to add a touch of downright awesome to your festivities.  It’s chevron linens meets pretty, pretty tulips by Bloom Floral & Event Design meets beyond lovely images by Heather Cook Elliott Photography – and it’s seriously brightening our Independence Day in every which way.  So, join us in the gallery for all of the pretty and then have a safe and happy holiday!

From Heather Cook Elliott Photography… Shay and Tom were married in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, a bit north of their home in Chicago, but worlds away with its small town on the lake, summertime, sipping lemonade atmosphere. The day was filled with such personal touches and whimsical details that I had a field day photographing their Etsy-meets-lakeside-fun affair. They tied the knot in a stone and wood church just off Main Street where Shay’s decision to weave shades of peach and yellow into everything immediately struck me as brilliant – brilliantly fun, but with an easy glamor that I hadn’t expected. And then I saw the reception centerpieces and I swooned. I asked Shay how she came up with the idea for poppies and crispidium, and she said that when she met with the florist, there was a beautiful bouquet of just-picked garden flowers on the table and she thought, “That’s what I want — something homey, bright and airy, but whimsical and dreamy too.”

Lest you think it was all about the flowers, I have to mention how their carefree, whimsical sensibilities showed up in some lovely places through out the day. While guests enjoyed “Brats + Shots,” cheese curds dressed up with roasted red peppers and tiny Philly cheese steaks, all in homage to the cities where their love story unfolded (they live in Chicago, got married in Wisconsin, and he’s from Philly), they rode away from the ceremony on the back of a classic Mercedes, parade-style, totally on a whim. They took time to watch the sunset alone on the beach. Amanda from Tailored Engagements brought the styling together for them and they just let it all happen around them, organically and sweetly, exactly as they had imagined.

Wedding Photography: Heather Cook Elliott Photography / Ceremony: First Congregational United Church of Christ of Lake Geneva in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin / Reception: The Riviera Ballroom in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin / Wedding Planning + Coordination: Tailored Engagements / Floral Design: Bloom Floral & Event Design / Catering: Courtyard Catering via Gooseberries Market / Reception Beverage Service: Drink Inc. / Napkins: Lakes Area Rental / Wedding Invitations + Paper Goods: Em & Bee / Ceremony Music: Fretless Strings / DJ: Sound by Design / Ring Bearer Pillow: Dragons2Daisies / Wedding Dress: Wtoo / Bride’s Shoes: Wanted / Bride’s Jewelry: Ti Adoro Jewelry / Hair + Makeup: Clear Waters Salon and Day Spa / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: D’Zage / Men’s Suits: Jos. A. Bank / Men’s Ties: Tie Obsessed / Groom’s Cufflinks: Block Party Press

Is there anything more fabulous than brunch? I mean really, what could be better than sipping champagne and feasting on sweets all before noon? This drop.dead.gorgeous photo shoot by Emily Steffen Photography is so beyond beautiful that I hope some of you brides-to-be out there use it as inspiration for your own big day. Everyone love a good brunch…but a wedding and a brunch? Now that’s genius! Click here for more.

Don’t miss this gorgeous film by Backflip Films:

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From Emily Steffen Photography… Instead of the typical Saturday wedding, we decided to throw a small, Sunday morning affair for the bride and groom. Highlighting a soft and simple color scheme, the Wisconsin countryside and an intimate family-style brunch table, this wedding is sure to inspire brides all over. With minimal intervention, The Enchanted Barn was the perfect location for an event like this — it capitalizes on texture, warmth and the feel of an intimate sit-down family brunch! With the Wisconsin countryside as the backdrop, the couple exchanged vows in a simple ceremony with their pup by their side! It was intimate, serene and just what any bride would dream of when combining rustic and elegant elements for her big day! :)

Wedding Photography: Emily Steffen Photography / Wedding Venue: The Enchanted Barn in Hillsdale, Wisconsin / Event Planning: Lizie Anne / Floral Design: Studio Fleurette / Wedding Cinematography: Backflip Films / Wedding Invitations: UNIQLOVE / Breakfast Cupcakes, Danishes + Quiches: Cupcakes A Go-Go / Rentals: Lime Canary Vintage Rentals / Wedding Dress: Monirose / Hair + Makeup: Katie Mikels

When you think destination wedding, usually your brain jumps straight to white sandy beaches, gorgeous French chateaus, or mountain retreats. But for this (I would be remiss not to say GORGEOUS) Chicago couple, the destination they had in mind was just two hours north in Wisconsin – and let me just put it out there, they have definitely put Wisconsin ON THE MAP. Judging by Nakai Photography‘s amazing photos, the destination was every bit as beautiful as the couple themselves, and that is something we LOVE when it comes to weddings. Another thing we love? Galleries filled to bursting with pages of stunning details!

Mike and I both attended the University of Kansas but never knew each other in college. After college we both made our way to Chicago and found each other first as friends due to our common KU connection and love of KU basketball. After a year or two as friends we decided there was something there more than just friends. We dated for the next three + years before we got engaged.

Our proposal was very sweet and special to my heart because it was quiet, personal, and such a sweet moment between the two of us. It was Friday, August 13th and Mike picked me up from work to run home to change as we were planning to meet friends out for drinks after work. To my surprise after walking a few steps into our living room the room was covered in dozens of red roses and propped up in the middle was a photo collage Mike had created of all these amazing photos and moments we’d spent together all the time we’d been together. He then whisked me away to the Trump Hotel for an evening of celebrating with friends, family, champagne, a six course tasting menu and celebrating the next big step he and I were about to embark on together.

For my 29th birthday, Mike took me to Kohler, WI for my birthday present. I, being from Chicago, couldn’t believe I had never been to OR heard of this place Kohler, WI which was only a short 2 ½ hour drive from Chicago. I was familiar with Kohler as in toilets, sinks and showers…., but Kohler, WI? Although we weren’t engaged yet I somehow found myself enamored by the thought of having a wedding at this Wisconsin destination gem. I could envision a wedding in the garden courtyard, where I would walk, what music I’d want playing, where I’d want people to sit.

Mike being from Green Bay and I from Chicago – we loved the idea of a destination wedding minus the major travel expense and having to actually get on a plane. After Mike proposed later that summer after our first trip to Kohler we joke that he ‘planted the seed’ for the idea of getting married in Kohler on purpose with that trip. It took us only but a few hours after getting engaged to look at each other and in one word we both knew “Kohler” was meant for our wedding and was fitting of our personalities and style in every way possible.

I wanted to stick with the idea of a garden theme with the hint of rustic elegance. The grounds and surrounding area of the American Club are filled with lush gardens and flowers I wanted to utilize those attributes that were already present in nature and accentuate with classic colors such as green, navy, browns and cream for my wedding colors. The American Club to me feels so opulent that I can only imagine the groom/groomsmen in tuxedos and the girls I found Lula Kate dresses from Bella Bridesmaid which had a high collar and their hair pulled up and back for a more sophisticated look to match the setting.

We wanted our ceremony to be very meaningful, intimate and personal. We ended up writing our own vows to one another. We didn’t read them to each other at all beforehand so it was a complete surprise to both of us to hear what the other one had written.

We had a rock ceremony which we read a prayer and had everyone at our wedding holding a stone during the prayer and everyone made a wish or positive thought toward the bride/groom during this time. Mike and I now have a beautiful glass canister in our living room with all the stones from our wedding so we have a little touch from everyone from our wedding we can look at and remember the big day from and those that helped us to celebrate such an occasion that will forever be special in our heart.

Some of my favorite photos are at a private residence we were given special permission to take photographs on the grounds in Kohler just down the street from the American Club. The garden maze, gazebo, back patio, front yard, fallen rustic trees – all were such neat and unique picturesque locations.

The photos in front of the Kohler factory are pretty amazing too. These were the pictures we took after the ceremony and I feel you can see and feel the happiness we were feeling in the moment plus the anxiety and nerves seem to have been lifted. The industrial look of the Kohler gates yet softened with the rustic vines overgrowing is one of my favorite backdrops.

I still remember going to see my ballroom before any of our guests came down from the cocktail hour. They opened the double doors and when I looked inside it was beyond anything I had even dreamed or thought up in my head. The head table was covered in white and ivory roses. We had lit candelabras on tables dripping with gorgeous fresh flowers with different size candles filling the open spaces on each table. Our friends still rave about the décor of the ballroom, I still remember tearing up at how amazing the day had turned out and how all my visions had turned into reality thanks to my amazing parents and planners at the venue.

Photography: Nakai Photography / Dress: Enzoani / Hair + Make-up: Custom Hair Lounge, Tania Gilbert and Nevsy Zee / Bridesmaid dresses: LulaKate from Bella Bridesmaid / Band: Eddie Butts Band / Wedding programs, invitations, menus, name cards, paper needs: Jessica Creter, Tulaloo Stationery / Flowers: Crystel Tershner at Destination Kohler / Event Planning: Lucas Chaltry, Events Manager Kohler / Ceremony Location: The American Club Courtyard / Reception Location: The American Club Ballroom / Shoes: Badgley Mischka

Whether your big day was everything you could have possibly imagined or not, there is a reason our brides stick around SMP even after the “I Do’s.” Weddings are, simply put, fabulous. One of the best days of your life. So we say, why not do it again (and again, and again) with a wedding redo! This bride did five years later, and the resulting soiree, planned and perfected by Golden Chic Events was everything dreams are made of in the form of gorgeous images from Front Room Photography. Make sure to check out the gallery, but be forewarned – you’ll be planning your redo in no time!

Click here to see the full image gallery!

When I was married, 5 years ago, I didn’t have a lot of design elements at my fingers. No great photographers, no amazing linens or hugely gorgeous flowers. By choosing to marry in my hometown, I had serious limitations on what vendors were available. While I had a vision, there was no way to put it together. But everyone deserves that perfect day, and while I’d never replace the absolute celebratory extravaganza that was our actual wedding day, the nagging fact that I was intensely disappointed in my centerpieces, the floral and linens, stuck with me over the years.

Five years seemed like a good milestone to hit with a “wedding re-doux” and I highly recommend anyone to do this – even if they loved every second of their wedding day, had the perfect design – because it’s always fun to remember the good times, be surrounded by loads of friends and family, and create new memories. Plus, it’s important to celebrate the years together. While a wedding itself is important, the marriage comes afterwards, and it’s important to celebrate this just as much.

So my husband, more involved this time, and I came together to create an intimate affair in our backyard. A white tent, crystal chandelier, luxurious linens and ballroom chairs were the basis for our decor. We had embroidered ivory, gold, pale apricot and pink linens on the tables. Gorgeous calligraphed escort cards, table numbers, and place cards graced everyone’s setting. I wore the same shoes I had on my wedding day, with a pale blue dress – it was like being a bride again, but much more relaxed!

Food and drink were important to us – we wanted our closest friends to have a wonderful good time on many gastronomic levels, so we brought in a full bar and a five course meal that was raved about all night. Our delicious cake was covered in gold stencils that reflected the hand-printed invitations. The invitations themselves were the basis for many design elements; we wanted a slightly vintage vibe, with a lot of warm colors, and something that reflected us. Part of the box invitation included a Welsh love spoon – 5 year Anniversaries are both the year of wood and silverware, so we hit both pieces at the same time. Plus, we love Wales, so it was triply important.

Our floral fulfilled my wildest dreams. Candelabras brimming with luscious roses, hydrangea, and dahlias lined the long guest table. Below these tall pieces were loads of vases covered in chiffon fabric, or tied with a ribbon and secured with vintage brooches. All vases were filled with incredible blooms that flowed everywhere on the table, and candles were glowing everywhere.

The evening finished up with an unexpected ballgame with the neighbor boys, and an impromptu late night bonfire, and even more memories that remind us of our wedding day and all the wonderful days of marriage we have enjoyed, and will yet!

Photography: Front Room Photography / Flowers: La Tulipe / Event Planning & Design: Golden Chic Events / Reception Location: Backyard / Invitations: Centennial Press + Design / Shoes: Vintage / Dress: Miss Ruby Boutique / Linens: The Elegant Touch / Cake: The Cake Lady / Catering: Shully’s Cuisine / Favors: Patricia O’Brien Cookies / Calligraphy: The Blooming Quill

Look no further than the first set of images by Tammy Horton Photography for one of the coolest DIY projects I’ve ever come across – a ceremony backdrop handwritten by the couple on a long roll of butcher paper. Simple but the result is mega wow with a side of sweet poetry. And it fits right in with this eclectic fête held at The Wherehouse with vintage bits and bobbles at every turn. It’s something old, something new, something borrowed and definitely something blue come to life and you can catch it all right here.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… Dylan and I were engaged in April, 2011 and set the date of the wedding for October 16. In those six moths, the style and theme of our wedding developed organically as we bounced ideas off of one another and began gathering and making the many details that would accent the wedding day itself. We both have eclectic tastes and a love of old objects and contemporary ideas. I feel this sensibility is what inspired the direction we went in the most, and once we decided on one thing, it seemed to inspire the next. The first thing we created was our save-the-date video. Then we created our invitations, inspired by the Milwaukee landscape and the architecture of our wedding venue. Dylan illustrated the invitations by hand, and we printed them on watercolor paper that I painted individually for our guests. We then disassembled, cut and scored maps from vintage atlases to make the inner envelopes for each invitation, and tried to pick places on the map to correspond to each invited guest, whether it was a place they were from or a place we knew they loved. We also used these old maps to make the over 300 origami kusdudama flowers, inspired by the two years I lived in Japan. We folded them for all the bouquets, boutonnieres and table centerpieces. Each flower can take up to 20 minutes to fold and glue, so this did turn out to be the time-consuming part of our decor. My bouquet alone held 36 flowers. We also made one extra large kusudama flower, the folds of which held the cards people gave us.

Beyond the commitment we made to each other, this was a day for us to gather as many of the people we care about together, and we wanted it to be as much fun and little stress as possible. The friends and family we asked to stand up in our wedding wore whatever they liked as long as it was gray (bridesmaids were encouraged to wear blue shoes), and Dylan chose the ties for the men from Etsy. We looked for venues that we felt fit our personality and would show our love of the urban landscape of Milwaukee, so we chose a warehouse-turned-salsa-club in an industrial area near our home. We wanted the ceremony to be as personal as possible, so we asked a dear friend to marry us. We also wanted music to play a large part in the day, so Dylan meticulously planned the playlist. His brothers are all musically talented, and sang the Cat Power version of “Sea of Love'” for the processional.

The largest thing we made for the day was the backdrop for the ceremony. We used a large roll of drawing paper and one of my portable background stands to write poems by Rainer Maria Rilke and Pablo Neruda, which we had our mothers read during the ceremony. My mother helped me write the words with Sumi ink (used in Japanese calligraphy, also inspired by my time in Japan) and we swept the scroll down the aisle similar to an aisle runner. I walked myself down the aisle over those words, and Dylan met me mid-way down. After our mothers read the words we were married on, a friend serenaded us all with The McGarrigle Sisters’ “Walking Song,” and we exchanged our vows. Alice Coltrane’s “Journey to Satchidananda” filled the room as everyone stood and, together, pronounced us man and wife. Our inspirations for our centerpieces were the things we love the most. Photography for Kat, books for Dylan, and love of our family. To start the dance party off we had De La Buena, an amazing Milwaukee Afro Cuban/Latin jazz band — the music choice was partly inspired by the venue. Our caterer, Ball ‘n’ Biscuit, created dishes from around the world (we love to travel). We also had a baker friend make us individual cake pops instead of a traditional cake, and a videographer friend shot sparingly throughout the day on 8mm film. The schedule of the day was very casual — we didn’t have any kind of assigned seating, and we planned the day so that each part flowed into the next with not a lot of breaks in between. Our photographer, Tammy Horton, captured the day better than we could have imagined.

Wedding Photography: Tammy Horton Photography / Wedding Venue: The Wherehouse/Hot Water in Milwaukee, Wisconsin / Officiant: David Ravel (A Friend of the Couple) / Wedding Cinematography: Erik Ljung / Wedding Invitations: DIY by the Bride & Groom / Blue Outer Envelopes: Broadway Paper / Thank You Cards: Photo by Tammy Horton Photography + Hand-Lettered by the Groom / Catering: Ball ‘n’ Biscuit Catering / Cake Pops: Brooke Thiele (A Friend of the Bride) / Ceremony Music: Groom’s Brothers + Friends (Some from Juniper Tar) / Reception Band: De La Buena / DJ: Dori Zori / Pen & Ink Portrait of Bride and Groom: Kristopher Pollard / Hand Lettered Signs for Centerpieces & Tables: Mother of the Bride / Centerpieces: Designed by the Bride / Ceremony Backdrop: DIY by the Bride / Wedding Dress: Vera Wang White / Bride’s Veil: Fine & Fleurie / Bride’s Belt: b. poetic / Bride’s Headband: branchbound / Bride’s Lace Necklace: White Owl / Bride’s Wool Shawl: From Ireland / Bridesmaids Outfits: Their Choice / Chiffon Flowers: JujaCrafts / Groom’s Suit: Brooks Brothers / Groom’s Shoes: bed|stu / Groom’s Socks: Pop Killer / Groomsmen’s Outfits: Their Choice / Men’s Ties: Scatterbrain Ties

I am full on, head over heels in love with this wedding. When I laid eyes on this beauty captured to perfection by yazy jo and planned down to the very last detail by Bliss Weddings and Events my heart started to pitter patter and the butterflies in my stomach began to flutter like never before. It’s outdoor elegance perfectly executed – with a boat transfer to the reception, an evening under a gorgeous Sperry Tent and a drop dead gorgeous, couldn’t be more in love duo – if all that doesn’t make your heart do a leap or two, the full gallery of gorgeous most definitely will!

Click here for the FULL Wedding!

From Katie Kozlowski of Bliss Weddings and Events… Donley and Jeff met as swimmers at Emory University and began a 10-year path to their spectacular wedding weekend. With family and friends spanning the globe, they wanted to pick a wedding venue that was personal, meaningful and an opportunity for a reunion. It wasn’t long until they found the perfect spot: The Northwoods of Wisconsin. Donley’s family had gathered here for more than 60 years, on a picturesque beachfront on Adler Lake. Adler Lake connects to a chain of 10 lakes, which prompted the wedding to have a progressive theme… Donley and Jeff were married at Donley’s grandparents home, Deer Haven. A custom chuppah made of local Aspen saplings by the bride’s aunt and uncle and benches carved from local wood adorned the great lawn, overlooking the lake.

After the “I Do’s” and a group champagne toast, dozens of pontoon boats pulled up to the ceremony site to transport guests to the next venue: Chippewa Resort, for cocktails. The new Mr. and Mrs. had a personal, vintage getaway boat to travel the Northwoods waters. Following an hour-long cocktail party, the pontoon fleets, freshly loaded with snacks, local beers and champagne, as well as fleece blankets, took guests back on the chain of lakes to the reception, held in a tent on the grounds of Camp Jorn. Countless DIY projects charmed the day, from the invitations and place cards (tiny canoes!) to lanterns and even the centerpieces. Guests dined on local fare, including cutie pies from a local bakery, danced to a popular Chicago DJ and drank in the stars in the spectacular Northwoods. When the tent party was done, guests moved to the Camp Jorn lodge for late night food from local-favorite Culver’s and dancing to a local band.

Wedding Photography: yazy jo / Ceremony: Deer Haven, The Bride’s Grandparents’ Estate / Cocktails: Chippewa Retreat in Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin / Reception: Camp Jorn in Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin / Wedding Coordination: Katie Kozlowksi of Bliss Weddings and Events + D’Arcy Theiler / Floral Design: Kae of Floral Consultants / Wedding Cinematography: Hannah Whelchel / Wedding Invitations + Name Cards: Cards of Wood / Wedding Invitation Booklets: Jen Merrill of Green Quince / Calligraphy: Love Letterer / Catering: Alex Hough of The Dinner Table / Wedding Cake + Wooden Cake Stand: Sharon of Sharon’s Coffee Company / Mini Pies: Sissy Loo’s / Late Night Snacks: Culver’s / Tent: Sperry Tents / DJ: Fig Media / Cocktail + Reception Duo: Bret & Frisk / After Party Band: The Marvins / Boat Rentals: Private, Greer’s Pier + Lakeside Rentals, Storage & Marina / Equipment Rental: MEC Party Rentals  / Blankets, Koozies + Personalized Barware: Specialty Premium Group / Radio Rental: Dollar Radio Rentals / Photo Booth: Northern Exposure / Wooden Place Card Holders: VaniTeaz / Save-the-Dates, Luminaries, Escort Canoes, Chuppah, Programs, Table Signs + Runners: DIY / Mason Jars: Various Antique Stores / Lanterns: IKEA / Centerpieces: DIY / Centerpiece Cake Stands: Target / Centerpiece Birds: studiostockpile (Now Urban Analog) / Ceremony Bench Rental: Red Arrow Camp / Aisle Runner: Original Runners / Wedding Dress: Alice Padrul / Hair + Makeup: Only Skin Deep / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Belsoie / Shoes: Cole Haan + Nike Air / Men’s Suits: J.Crew

I have a long list of favorite weddings. Say what you must, but you try to surround yourself with pretty soirees day in and day out and not have a list resembling Princess Di’s veil. Every day I add another wedding (or three) to the list. I just can’t help it. But as soon as m three studio sent over a wedding she captured at Milwaukee’s Pier Wisconsin, I had found the winner. This gorgeous soiree is the perfect mix of lush florals, beautiful photography, gorgeous colors, stunning people and delish details to die for. I declare this wedding not only my favorite, but my wedding soul mate. Click here for more!

Ethan and I met the first week of medical school and started dating several months later. We made it through four years of medical school, a cross country move to start residency programs and three years of training before we finally got married! (6.5 years into our relationship!)

Ethan proposed at Turnbull vineyards, one of our favorite wineries in Napa valley. Living in San Francisco makes day trips to wine country quite easy, and this Saturday started out like others with a nice drive in the convertible to Turnbull. When we arrived, we started with a private tour which ended at a private table set for lunch in between rows of vines and rosebushes. After a beautiful secluded lunch (and two bottles of wine!) Ethan proposed right there in the vines. He surprised me with an overnight stay and we had dinner that night at our now favorite restaurant, Bottega. 

We took our inspiration from lots of Style Me Pretty features!!!! I wanted a blue/green accent color to pick up the greens at the ceremony and the blue water. The all white linens and centerpieces fit the clean, modern look.

I will always remember the look on Ethans face at our first look. Or my dads speech. I will never forgot the yellow legal papers he had (a whole stack!) or my mom trying to stop him when he got to a particularly embarrassing story about me.

Photography: m three studio / Ceremony + Reception Venue: Pier Wisconsin / Bride’s Gown: Ulla Maija / Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew / Groom + Groomsmen’s suits: JoS A. Bank / Florist: Impressions by Esther Flemming / Cake: The Cake Lady / Band: 2nd Wave / Catering: Bartolottas / Makeup: Blush / Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade / Event Planning  Design: Bartolottas / Invitation Designer: Aerialist Press

I sit here in complete and utter awe of this Bride – stunned speechless of her flawless DIY wedding to celebrate the obvious love she and her dapper Groom share. This, my friends, is one talented little lady! Every little detail that you will most definitely gush over was dreamt up and created by the lovely lady, and thankfully Valo Photography was there to capture all the DIY perfection. There are too many darling DIY details to list, so be sure to skip on over to the full gallery of images for even more!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Jake of Valo Photography… The day began in gray skies, and the hope for snow was high. After all it was December 30th in Wisconsin — if something was going to fall from the sky it would be snow, right? To the dismay of the bride, the only thing that started to fall from the sky was rain. Wait, rain? At the end of December in Wisconsin!? Rain, one of the only things not planned for. Hope was not lost, and we all thought very snowy thoughts…

As we left her parents house to make some portraits before the ceremony, the temperature started to drop. The rain was starting to mix with snow. As we drove, the mix of rain and snow kept moving more towards the snow than rain, and by the time we got to the covered bridge we were shooting at the snow was falling thick and fast from the skies. It was a gift from God that lasted just long enough for the photographs we needed.

The wedding was a DIY winter wedding dream, now complete with snow! It was perfect. The bride wore a splendid flowing dress, reminiscent of the falling snow, by San Patrick. The girls wore dresses identical only in color — The styles fit each woman’s personality and were dresses that they could wear again. The men were no less stylish in J.Crew suits. The details, hand-made by the bride and her family, right down to the amazing floral work, centerpieces and baked goods by the bride’s mother. All the printed materials — place cards, signage, custom logo and even an awesome handmade calendar for the guests to take with them — were made by the bride herself. Nothing was an afterthought — even the gold circles were added to the tea bags to tie into the overall theme. Candy canes, Christmas trees, cookies, hot chocolate, wreaths, pine cones, hearty meal, gold stars and just the feeling in the air made the wedding experience feel like the most elegant Christmas party I have ever attended.

Wedding Photography: Valo Photography / Flowers: Mother of the Bride / Event Design: The Bride / Ceremony: Alliance Bible Church in Mequon, Wisconsin / Reception: The Old Courthouse Museum in West Bend, Wisconsin / Wedding Invitations + Printed Materials: DIY by the Bride / Catering: Saz’s Catering / Wedding Cake + Cookies: Bride’s Family / Hair + Makeup: Studio 890 + The Bride / Wedding Dress: San Patrick “Calais” / Bride’s Shoes: Madden Girl / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew, Dorothy Perkins, H&M, Express + Other Various Designers / Groom’s Suit: J.Crew / Music: DIY with an iPod

Father of the Bride is a favorite movie around the SMP offices, so when this ridiculously adorable bride mentioned she had infused a little FOTB into her Wisconsin wedding, we were all smitten. Captured by Anna Page Photography, the wedding definitely lives up to the hype – it’s gorgeous, fresh, and clean – and of course, centered around two super cute lovebirds. We’ve even got a fantastic little film from I Do Films to make you smile, so make sure to save a little time for that – and for the gallery!

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Meg & Dan | A Wedding at Elkhart Lake from I Do Films

Dan and I got married on the most perfect summer day in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin – the same location where we had met six years earlier before my freshman year at Cornell.

I had always dreamed of having a tent wedding, so it was easy to settle on the beautifully-trimmed lawn at Victorian Village as the location for our reception. Using the warm, friendly, and vintage aesthetics of this family-run and family-fun resort as the foundation for our inspiration, my mom and I infused a little “Father of the Bride” and a few homemade touches to create a romantic and unforgettable Midwestern bash.

We started the day at my family’s home on Elkhart Lake, where Dan and I had a “first look,” but a very different kind. We were surrounded by my whole family while I came down the stairs and my brothers, dad, and Dan saw me for the first time. It was so special to have my whole family with us for such an important moment. The ceremony took place at Holy Name of Jesus in Sheboygan, where Dan had grown up and gone to church as a child. Our priest, who flew in from my family’s home parish in Los Angeles, stole the show with an incredibly touching homily that made reference to our “path” around Elkhart Lake. After the ceremony Dan and I took photos at a friend’s barn while our guests sipped homemade vodka lemonades and munched on Wisconsin cheese and meatballs.

Our 242 guests found their seating assignments on frames hung from vintage glass door knobs that Dan helped me power-drill onto a salvaged barn door found at my favorite antique shop, The Red Rooster in Plymouth. Dinner proceeded in a 60’ x 100’ century tent that glowed with warm rosy uplighting, ivory rice paper lanterns, and string lights. The tables were adorned with fresh roses, hydrangeas, and plenty of candles found at a local craft store by our florist Silvana Cassia of Twig Flowers. An oversize slate found at an antique shop and framed chalkboards found on HerMajestysPug’s shop on Etsy served as the menus for dinner and cocktails. To finish the look, we invested in a black-and-white checkered dance floor that exuded a snappy, jazzy feel.

A Beatles cover band called The Cavern Beat played four sets and kept the dance floor packed with guests of all ages. My mom always told me, “Meg, all you need for a great party are the two B’s: booze and a band.” She was so right!

Dessert included chocolate ganache cake from the bakery at the local Piggly Wiggly adorned with hydrangeas, an ice cream bar, and my mom’s molasses, snickerdoodle, and chocolate-chip cookies served on a three-tier cookie tower created with the help of a local carpenter.

We absolutely loved working with Anna and Jonathan Wheeler of Anna Page Photography, as well as Matt Buckman and Élan Villamor of I Do Films. Their ability to go with the flow, their attention to detail, and their cat-like reflexes certainly did not go unnoticed! Dan and I are so grateful to both of them for documenting our memories in such a beautiful and unique way!

Photography:  Anna Page Photography / Cinematography: I Do Films / Tent: Canopies Events / Band: The Cavern Beat / Event Coordination: Laura Cooper, Cooper Consulting / Floral Design: Twig Flowers / Ceremony Location: Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church / Caterer & Reception Location: Victorian Village Resort / Invitations: Bella Figura / Bride’s Dress: Amsale via Belle Vie Bridal Couture / Bridesmaid Dresses: Vera Wang / Bride’s Heels: Vince Camuto / Bride’s Flats: Aldo / Bride’s & Bridesmaid’s Earrings: Anthropologie / Bride’s Bracelet: J.Crew / Engagement Ring and Groom’s Ring: Steve Quick Jeweler / Floral Hair Clip: Sara Gabriel / Tuxedos: Men’s Wearhouse / Groom’s Bowtie and Groomsmen’s Ties: Brooks Brothers / Hair & Makeup: Aspira Spa, The Osthoff Resort / Guest Transportation: Discovery Coach / Wedding Party Transportation: Stargazer Limousine / DJ: Matt’s DJ Service/ String Quartet: Jubilate String Quartet, kayesara@hotmail.com (Sarah Oftedahl ) / Guest Photo Station: Beyond the Booth Photography / Candle Holders & Flower Bases: Hobby Lobby & Pier 1 Imports / Framed Blackboard Cocktail Signs: HerMajestysPug / Ice Cream Sign: The Back Porch Shoppe / Cake: Natalie’s Pastries, natalieblattner@hotmail.com / Ice Cream: Scoops Ice Cream Parlor

Put down that cup of coffee, lean back and get ready to find yourself in la-la-land because we are about to take a little mid-morning daydream.  This Milwaukee wedding by The McCartneys has everything you could ever dream of – a classic, nautical touch with a magical, care-free vibe.  The voluptuous, white blossoms atop patterned, blue and white runners are the perfect romantic centerpiece for this elegantly unique affair and every detail is exquisite.  Keep on dreaming in the full gallery!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From The McCartneys… To describe Lydia & Matt’s wedding in a few words: Breathtaking. Elegant. Dreamy. Beautiful. Floral. Nautical. Couture. The bride owns a bridal shop in Milwaukee, so you can imagine the incredible Jim Hjelm dress she wore + the ruffled Jim Hjelm dresses for her bridesmaids! That combined with the white/navy sea of flowers at their tented reception & adorably packaged Starbucks cake-pop favors puts this wedding at the top of our list for this year! From the hotel where they got ready to the Cathedral that only seemed fitting for the reception that it preceeded, Lydia & Matt planned their fairytale wedding day perfectly! Classic style & wonderful taste aside, they radiated happiness & unquestionable passion for one another all. day. long.

Lydia & Matt have a way about them that makes you feel welcome in their presence, as if you’ve known them forever. Or maybe thats’s just how naturally they fit together? Everything on their wedding day felt right, effortlessly beautiful, and SO happy! Their adorable son Johnny was always close by, dressed in the cutest little man suit we’ve ever seen from Janie & Jack.

After an incredible ceremony at The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Lydia & Matt’s guests were greeted by a sea of flowers at their tented Lake Park Bistro reception. Words simply cannot describe the scene that freshdesign floral created – just look! The abundant floral display atop the navy & white table runners that Lydia made herself transformed Lydia and Matt’s reception into the most romantic white tent anyone had ever seen.

After a series of heartfelt speeches and the best filet mignon anyone has ever had, their guests showed the dance floor how it’s done and didn’t stop until the DJ spun his last record. Just before their exit to a Bora Bora honeymoon, Lydia and Matt sent their guests home with not only a Starbucks cakepop favor, but also with their choice of a flower arrangement from the reception.

Photography: The McCartneys / Ceremony location: The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist / Reception location: Lake Park Bistro / Invitations & paper goods designer: Paper Envy / Dress: Monique Lhuillier from Bliss Bridal (Lydia’s shop!) / Veil: Sara Gabriel from Bliss Bridal / Jewelry: Tacori / Hair & Make-up : Kim Crupi of Neroli Salon & Spa / Bridesmaids dresses: Jim Hjelm Occasions from Bliss Bridal / Groom & Groomsmen apparel: Harleys for Men / Johnny’s attire:  Janie & Jack / Floral designer: freshdesign / Cake: Simma’s Bakery / Favors: Starbucks’ cakepops /  Catering & linens: Bartolottas / Rental & Tent: Canopies / Trolley & Get-away car: DMI Limousine / Videographer: One Fine Day Productions