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Chic Black-Tie Milwaukee Wedding

From The McCartneys Photography… Erin and John were married on Door County’s bayside during a ceremony held at Sunset Beach Park. They were blessed with abundant sunshine and the support of all of their loved ones, along with beautiful music from local musicians Ben and Lily Larsen. After promising each other forever, Erin and John dashed down the street in Door County’s iconic trolley. John worked at the Fish Creek Marina growing up, and it was the perfect location to give him and his gorgeous new wife a moment to themselves while we photographed them in a classic Door County setting. Erin’s Vera Wang gown was an absolute show-stopper, and her bridesmaids looked lovely in Adrianna Papell dresses. We could have photographed them along the sparkling water all day long!

At About Thyme Farm, guests enjoyed cocktail hour and passed hors d’oeuvres on the lawn with more musical treats by Lily and Ben Larsen! While Erin and John made their way from hugs to laughs and smile-filled conversations, their amazing wedding planner, Chandra from Door County Event Planners, put the finishing touches on a timeless, beautiful barn celebration awaiting them just footsteps away. Erin and John put their stamp on their celebration with handmade planter boxes and a marquee “W” representing the new Mr & Mrs Woerfel. Heartfelt toasts, joyfully tear-filled eyes and sweet little moments between Erin and John as well as delicious food from Alexander’s led right into one of the most perfect Door County sunsets we have ever captured. In true Door County fashion, Erin and John treated their guests to locally made pies from Koepsel’s Farm Market and, from then on, their dance floor went from 0 to 100 in record time when the Bluewater Kings Band struck their first chords!

From the Bride… John and I just wanted people to have fun! One big party! We are both people that don’t like to be the center of attention and we didn’t want it to be all about us because so many people made the long trip! We wanted people to enjoy being with family and friends with the caveat being us getting married!

We always new Door County is where we would get married. We also new Sunset Beach was going to play a special role in some way or another. John’s dad grew up right down the street from Sunset Beach and John had so many memories playing there by the water. It just had so much meaning to John and his family! I honestly couldn’t think of any other place that would have been just as perfect! We actually didn’t want to have a “barn” wedding. I just thought it had been done one to many times. Because we only had eight months to plan a wedding we had to decide on a venue fast! Chandra showed us About Thyme and we just fell in love with it! I just wanted it to be elegant and simple and I think we accomplished that! The way the lighting hit the barn around the time of our cocktail hour and reception was just breathtaking and exactly what I had envisioned!

I knew I wanted dark greens and ivory with touches of gold. I didn’t want anything that was overbearing in color. We also knew we wanted a marquee “W” and John did a fantastic job building that piece, it will be showcased in our basement (our next project)!! Looking back, I really put John to work building things! We saved a lot of money by building our planter boxes, seating frames and welcome sign (painted a mirror with chalkboard painting for a total of $10!!) If we had more time I would have personalized more but between selling our house, working, and building our new home time was hard to come by!

Riding the trolley to the beach for our ceremony and exchanging our vows were my favorite parts and what I remember most. To see the emotion in John’s eyes was just overwhelming! The day was such a blur! We talk about it all the time that we would like to go back in time and be there as a guest to see from that perspective. We absolutely loved having live music for our ceremony and cocktail hour!

I would 100% recommend a wedding planner!! Although at the beginning it’s hard to see past the cost it’s at the very end and next day of your wedding where we looked back and said we were so thankful for Chandra at Door County Event Planners! She handled everything with such ease! Floral – Helene got our vision spot on! The flowers were exactly what I wanted it! Alexander’s hit it out of the park with the food! We still have people compliment us ALL the time on how great our wedding was and how fabulous our pictures are! We absolutely love our pictures and have special places in our new home to showcase them!!

Advice for future brides and grooms… ENJOY EVERY MOMENT! Even the planning part, it goes by way to fast! And the after wedding blues do exist after being on such a high from the planning to the day of! Also, do not sweat the small stuff! No one will even notice if something is out of place or forgotten!

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Badgley Mischka

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If you followed along with our Bridal Market coverage back in October, then you know that off-the-shoulder wedding gowns are a major fashion do. And in her gorgeous lace off-the-shoulder Robert Bullock wedding gown this Bride is looking trendy and timeless. See more of it and the rest of this classic blush wedding captured by Kate Weinstein Photo in THE VAULT!

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Northwoods Elegant Marsala Wedding Inspiration

From Kate Weinstein Photo…The downtown area of Milwaukee was the backdrop for Eileen and Mike’s wedding day, and they kept the style chic, elegant, and simple, from the bride’s Robert Bullock lace gown and the grooms sleek black tux, to the soft blush color palette and romantic floral decor.

They exchanged vows in a traditional Catholic ceremony at St. Sebastian and the reception was held at the historic Pfister Hotel. Sweet floral table numbers and white and blush flowers accented the tables as Mike and Eileen danced the night away.

If you thought 2015 was the year of Marsala, think again because Natashia Nicole Photography is here to prove otherwise. A daydream drenched in rich red hues, this is one gallery sitting so pretty in THE VAULT we just had to share. Scroll for more and save a few to those Pinterest boards!

From Natashia Nicole Photography… This inspiration shoot came about from a personal need to show darker tones in wedding decor. We wanted to show couples that darker color pallets can be just as stunning as neutrals. It was inspired by the pines and forests that Wisconsin is known and loved for, and the style was influenced by the whimsical fairytales we all grew up with. Marsala, burgundy, and gold were the primary colors, accented with lush greens and vibrant reds. Antler decor added to the woodland inspiration, as did the moss cake table runner and the vintage mantle. The shoot took place on a beautiful evergreen farm in Wausau, Wisconsin.

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Marsala Berry Inspo | Vintage Chic Marsala Inspo | Marsala Inspired Bridal Shower

Elegant European Villa Wedding Inspiration

You know an inspo is going to be G-O-O-D when the photographer says they were inspired by marble, but better yet, the fact that this european inspired Villa is actually in Milwaukee, Wisconsin! Shocked? Well, get ready to see the gallery because the good doesn’t stop there. With Roots Of Life Photography behind the lens this is one gallery you won’t want to miss. See it all in THE VAULT!

From Roots Of Life Photography… For some time now, I have been dreaming up this editorial concept in my head. My initial inspiration came from all the marble I began seeing in home decor, photo backdrops on social media, and recently, making its way into wedding and event design. For this styled editorial shoot, I wanted to incorporate marble decor as well as varying shades of blue and grey. This palette would work beautifully for a fall or winter bride who is looking to incorporate a bolder color (sapphire, for example) while sticking to other lighter and more muted shades within the same color palette. We imagined a couple who may have traveled or studied abroad in Europe who want to incorporate those design aesthetics into their special day.

When I found Villa Terrace in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, I KNEW it was the perfect venue for our shoot. The lush portico and sweeping vistas on the property are utter perfection. The atmosphere of the venue has an upscale, European feel. I wanted to bring out these elements in a refined and classic way, and I used a team of exceptional vendors to bring my vision to life.

Our beautiful model Sheyanne wore a simple but show-stopping Alyssa Kristin gown with the most perfect bluish-grey tulle skirt. Accessories from Left Bank Jewelry showcased the gown while adding a little oomph to the overall look. The engagement ring & diamond earrings by Susie Saltzman, displayed in a custom monogrammed blue velvet Mrs. Box, added another classic detail to our shoot.

The charcuterie table would offer wedding guests a European-style assortment of delicious meats, cheeses, bread & fruits to nosh on while waiting for the reception to begin. We wanted the presentation of this table to feel casual, elegant, and bountiful, so we used a marble Williams Sanoma platter and silver bowls, platters & stands from Nimble Well, filled to the brim with goodies. The dinner menu, written by Emily Rose Ink on a marble slab and displayed at this table, would provide a preview of the delicacies to come.

Our naturally designed tablescape complemented the space and showcased the blue and grey color palette. The grey BBJ linens & rustic Halls chairs set the tone for our look, and Vintage Place Settings contributed their “Blue Royale” china to outfit our table. The sapphire glass goblets from Nimble Well added a pop of color that highlighted the deep blue of the place settings, while place cards and calligraphy by Emily Rose Ink picked up on details from the china pattern. We wanted to provide a contrast to the classic, timeless feel of the vintage china and glassware by adding an unexpected modern detail for the table runner, so our event coordinator sourced marble shards from a local quarry for a stunning cracked marble table runner. Clusters of grapes and dried olives provided an effortless finishing touch.

The team wanted to further showcase the venue by utilizing the unique nooks & crannies throughout the property as vignettes for our wedding elements. One such vignette was the space we used for our “sweets table,” where we wanted to incorporate European-style desserts. Bennisons Bakery created a stunning ombre macaron tower and petit fours with chocolate fleur-de-lis seals, in addition to a gorgeous marble fondant cake decorated with olive branches and eucalyptus. We added marble candlesticks and an accent of artichokes and pears to complete this vignette.

I wanted to highlight the natural beauty of the venue by going with an organic, loosely designed approach to floral design. Lovely from May Floral provided us with incredible arrangements that complemented the theme and feel of the shoot. The neutral color palette and asymmetrical centerpieces elevated all the other details, from the tablescape and the sweets display to the bridal gown and stationery.

From Emily Rose Ink... Because I always like to design with a story in mind, I was really inspired by the vintage Blue Willow china set that we used for the table setting, which I imagined our bride might have inherited from her mother or grandmother. The china features two doves and beautiful flowers and foliage, so I took inspiration from the imagery on the plates to develop the design of the crest, pattern, and borders. I kept the design monochromatic and elegant to highlight the romantic, ethereal aesthetic of the shoot while still picking up the deeper blue of the china pattern. The blue garland pattern was woven throughout the day-of paper goods on the signature cocktail sign and the favor sign as well. I wrote the menu in silver calligraphy on a large slab of marble, which hopefully could serve as inspiration for brides looking for unique ways to display their wedding menu.”

Abby Giffin of Heirloom Event Co was integral to the shoot, executing my vision with gusto. She sourced the marble from the quarry, booked the venue, models and vendors, and kept us on schedule throughout the day. She has a gift for bringing clients’ visions to life and coordinating details with efficiency and a smile.

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Elegant + Intimate Outdoor Backyard Wedding in Wisconsin

This Bride is all types of beautiful, but her gown? S.T.U.N.N.I.N.G. It’s so out of this world gorge that our words can’t do it justice. And if you think this gown is good, just wait until you hear Andrew and Cassi’s story. Brace yourself – he has loved her since the 6th grade. If that doesn’t turn you into a ball of mush then the captures by the talented Kate Weinstein Photo certainly will. See it all in THE VAULT!

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Romantic Lake Geneva Summer Wedding

From Kate Weinstein Photo… He’s loved her since the 6th grade,” was the theme of the wedding toasts on Cassi + Andrew’s wedding day. The two have been best friends since elementary school, and while Andrew realized his love for Cassi early on (the 6th grade to be exact!), it wasn’t until after college that Cassi finally realized that Andrew was the man for her.

They chose the 4th of July for their wedding date, because since middle school, it’s been their favorite holiday to spend together. The day was set at Andrew’s parent’s home just outside Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and their ceremony was set up overlooking the Wisconsin countryside, laced with white flowers by Fresh Design. String music for the ceremony was performed by Tatiana Migliaccio and accompaniments.

Cassi wore a gorgeous illusion neckline dress by Pronovias, and her bridesmaids wore dusty blue Joanna August dresses. Jen Ganson planned the wedding day to perfection, North Star Bistro catered a family-style dinner, and Fresh Design created the bouquets, table arrangements, and adorned the tables with greenery. The reception took place under a Sperry Tent, and Lakes Area rentals provided the long tables and the french country chairs. Sweet Perfections made a simple and lovely cake and MaeMae & Co. designed the paper goods and invitation suite, including a custom crest with Cassi and Andrew’s initials.

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These two cuties met at law school, and as photographer Heather Cook Elliott noted, you may think that predicts a serious nature between them – and you’d be so wrong. Laughter and smiles spill out of every one of Cook’s photos from their summer celebration planned by Lola Event Productions. And with Toast & Jam behind the music, it was a good time from start to finish – join me in the VAULT to see it all!

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Lakeside Outdoor Weddings

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Intimate Wisconsin Winter Lodge Wedding

From Heather Cook Elliott Photography… Jessie and Austin met in law school, a start to their story that suggests they might be a rather serious couple when in fact the opposite is true. They are fun and funny and manage to make being incredibly stylish look really easy. I think their wedding style says a lot about who they are in their everyday lives and they are the kind of people I love to photograph: they approached their wedding with a sort of no-fuss attitude mixed with boho charm made elegant by the fact they they are, well, really put together people (they are lawyers, after all.) Lake Geneva held up it’s end of the deal too, offering their combined out-of-state and Wisconsin friends and families a delightful place to relax and unwind on a late summer weekend. I love that they married lakeside at the classic Lake Geneva resort that is The Abbey, and followed the “I do’s” up with the first of two cocktail hours (2!) before heading to the stunningly beautiful Yerkes Observatory (and a University of Chicago institution) for bridal party fun. Then the always lovely Riviera Ballroom played host to cocktail hour number 2 and dinner plus a riotous dance party made possible by Chicago area favorite Toast & Jam. And finally I love that Jessie and Austin enjoyed every second of it – enjoyed the tiny moments together and the big moments in front of everyone, the heartfelt hugs and the rousing toasts – every second of everything.

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In the words of their photographer, Emily Steffen, “This was the beginning of a second beginning for Emily and Scotty! Emily had lost her Chris to cancer and Scotty had lost his Bev to cancer both a few years prior; they both had walked the hard road of care-taking for their loved ones and grieving a gigantic loss in each of their families. But through the grief and the emotions and navigating every day life, they found one another.” From the bride’s hand-knit dress to the fresh fallen snow, this day is everything a wedding should be. Beautiful, personal, and filled to the brim with love.

From Emily Steffen… What started out as a few phone conversations sharing about their past loves turned into late night phone calls laughing together and dreaming about a life together! :) He was strong for her and she was strong for him…they were exactly what one another needed.

Scotty and Em shared their wedding vows at a cute little Lodge in northern Wiconsin. The snow had been falling earlier that morning so the evergreens were covered in a fresh blanket.

They tearfully shared their new promises to one another, remembered their loss of Bev and Chris and celebrated with sleigh rides, mulled wine, flourless chocolate cake and lots and lots of laughter! Dinner was served with Emily’s homemade butternut squash soup and a hearty-holiday meal for family and friends!

And I do have to say, that one of my most favorite pieces of the day was Emily’s wedding dress. She knitted it herself as she was navigating through grief. With every stitch, she turned her grief into joy as she dreamed of her future full of more love and more joy!

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Winter Weddings

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European-Inspired Ruins Wedding Inspiration

I love the idea behind this inspiration. Sure, you could gaze at every stunning detail in THE VAULT for hours, it’s wildly beautiful thanks to Elevate Events, Alluring Blooms, Plume Calligraphy and team. But it’s meaning is what strikes me—love endures all. Beyond the pretty details, it’s a reminder of why Marriage Matters.

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Fall Weddings

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Rustic Enchanted Camp Wedding Inspiration

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Al Fresco

From Booth Photographics…“Though the mountains fall away and the hills be shaken, My love shall never fall away from you” Isaiah 53:10

We created this European influenced ruins wedding inspiration based on the strength and perpetual growth of true love. Despite the brokenness that surrounds us, love never falls away. And when couples have found that strength, they will find that their love will endure and bloom as it matures. With that concept in mind, we chose this stone farmstead ruins as a visual reminder that love is the strongest foundation. The blue and green color palette chosen with intention to reinforce the strength and growth of love over all, complete with a lush tablescape filled with greenery.

The couple begins by exchanging vows under a birch arbor laden with soft fabric and olive branches, symbolic of peace and love. The place settings were chosen with the idea of love being our foundation, using marble slabs as chargers under simple and modern stoneware place settings, lending an idea of strength with an organic touch. This deeply personal inspiration is rounded out with a stunning hand lettered invitation suite that reflects the idea of this couple handwriting invitations to each of their beloved guests.

May you be truly inspired to design a wedding that reflects your personality and your belief in love.

Every single moment and detail in THE VAULT had a birthplace. A spark of inspiration that set it’s beginning in motion. Many, many of those little bits came straight from incredible wedding vendor teams that push themselves further with each wedding they add to their repertoire. Camp Wedding, a fabulously fun workshop crafted by Cherry Blossom Events is a home for that creativity to flourish, and the results captured by Lexia Frank are the proof. Camping? Well, it never looked so pretty.

From Cherry Blossom Events….A great wedding vendor can be a planner, photographer, florist or other industry professionals. They typically have one goal in mind: creating an amazing event that the bride and groom will always look back on fondly. To do so means wedding professionals spending the busy wedding season, typically May through October, focused on the best interest of their clients, and working tirelessly to make sure their big days go off without a hitch.

That said, it may seem a lost cause to ask a group of these professionals to take a break from already packed schedules for a three day vendor retreat in September one of the most popular wedding months of the year. But Cherry Blossom Events , a creative event planning company out of Madison, Wisconsin, did just that with their production of Camp Wedding . The outcome? An event nothing short of spectacular, leaving vendors feeling creatively inspired, connected to industry peers, well fed and even more capable of giving couples the weddings of their dreams.

To stay current with the latest trends, not to mention make those trends a reality, Andrea VandeBerg and Sarah Sarbacker, co-owners of Cherry Blossom Events, have relied on attending conferences and workshops to better their business. “But this year our schedules were busier than ever, and we weren’t able to find one where the timing worked,” says the Cherry Blossom duo. “One day we joked that we should start our own workshop at Camp Wandawega . The next day we emailed the owners, and Camp Wedding was born.”

As the inspiration for the event’s theme, Camp Wandawega is the restored, nostalgic campsite located in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. Filled with rustic tents, enchanted teepees, a treehouse fit for hipsters, and cottages that look right out of the 1950s, Camp Wandawega could double as the setting for a Wes Anderson film. The Camp has a long list of premium brands and glossy magazines for its press list, with the most recent being Land of Nod’s children’s catalog, offering an exclusively designed Wandawega product line of bedding, toys and decor.

Having already executed a wedding in this magical place, Cherry Blossom Events had been plotting a way to return for their own fun. Once the venue was secured, the two took the camp theme and ran with it. Guest were greeted with swag backpacks filled with goodies from Midwest vendors, awarded scout patch inspired pins for each session attended, treated to campfire talks made more complete with S’mores and given guide books to lead the way through the events and downtime of their days away from home.

But just because it was camp themed, don’t think guests had to eat canned baked beans and fire roasted hot dogs. “The food was divine”, says Rachel Tatge, owner of Top Shelf Weddings & Events . “Top tier Madison area restaurants and chefs were called upon for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and they did not disappoint. While the piece de resistance was the multi course dinner under the stars (and cafe string lights) on Tuesday evening, every meal made me one happy camper.”

Archery? Rope swings into the lake? Canoeing? Hammock naps? Yep, those were just a few of the R&R offerings that were awaiting guests at Camp Wedding. “When I found out about Camp Wedding, I was super excited to join and went so that I could disconnect from the madness of wedding season,” says Karen Murack with Karen Ann Photography , Wisconsin based/Destination Wedding Photographer. “I went to relax plus mingle with others in the weddingbusiness. I was beyond happy with my trip to Camp Wedding.”

Mingling was a big part of the retreat, and the environment lent itself perfectly for doing so. “My favorite part of Camp Wedding was spending time at camp connecting with other industry professionals, whether it was laying in the lounge chairs, eating lunch or sipping coffee at the picnic tables in the morning, says photographer Jenna Kutcher , who was a speaker at the event, as well as a guest. “The camp provided such a beautiful opportunity to unwind and soak up some sun while facilitating some great scenes to connect in.”

When it came time to get down to business, campers convened beneath a big top style wedding tent, sitting in pairs at tall, farm chic style tables. Topics in the workshop and breakout sessions covered the spectrum of the wedding business, with small business operations, taxes and marketing on the more professional end and sketching tips, chalkboard design, and yoga on the lawn on the creative side. “The speaker lineup was stellar, and I was looking forward to getting some quality insight on several facets of the industry most of which I knew very little,” says Emily Balsley of Emily Balsley Illustration , who conducted the sketching workshops.

With goal of offering a retreat with a balance of great information, pretty inspiration and a fun time for attendees to just relax during the busy season, Cherry Blossom Events met and exceeded expectations with their first Camp Wedding.

Campers learned, got inspired, and connected in ways that aren’t always possible when working together as vendors on the same wedding. And like those weddings that vendors produce, Camp Wedding started with guests who were nearly strangers, but ended with everyone feeling emotionally connected when camp came to a close.

“I always cry when I speak; it’s like I can’t contain it and I turn into a puddle of tears,” says Kutcher. “It was such a unique opportunity to open up Camp Wedding with a keynote and give the closing keynote. As I looked around on the last day, I couldn’t help but get emotional at how truly talented and beautiful the attendees were. I wanted to empower them to go after the things they have been dreaming of and to offer themselves a little more grace. It was such a cool experience to watch transformations happen in those short days.”

Even though the first Camp Wedding finished just recently, VandeBerg and Sarbacker have already jumped right into planning the next Camp Wedding! “Speaking and attending Camp Wedding was one of the favorite things I have done this year to continue to grow my business,”says Ali Philips, professional wedding planner and owner of Chicago based Engaging Events by Ali. “It was the most magical three days in the woods of Wisconsin with likeminded wedding professionals and was a great way to clear my head from the busy wedding season and reignite the passion within for our careers. The education in the seminars and friendships formed at this event will always be remembered. The time allowed us to talk in a very comfortable and open forum about best practices for our businesses but also just have fun, laugh, jump off a pier, watch the sunrise from a canoe and dance the night away in the woods together. I have a little new “Camp Wed” family that I look forward to seeing next year at Wandewega.”

Want to be a future happy camper? Be sure to sign up to receive the details for upcoming events.

Modern Art Gallery Wedding

This one is for all of you modern lovers out there. Brides and grooms who live for contemporary meets organic stylings, bold, rich colors and crazy cool details. Because this fabulous art gallery affair? It’s all of the above with an extra dose of pretty thrown in for good measure. Head to THE VAULT for every second captured by Carly McCray, because well… it’s awesome.

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Milwaukee Wedding Draped in Romantic Fog

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Museum Outdoor Weddings

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Modern

From Carly McCray Photography… Anna and Nathan married in a sunny rooftop ceremony at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art this August, filled with many smiles, a bounty of organic details from Alluring Blooms, overflowing farm tables, and most importantly, many joyful guests (from very far and near)! And the light… that unmistakable MMoCA glow, only to be matched by the excitement of the Mr. + Mrs. on their special day!

Anna + Nathan are a duo that I feel cooler simply to know, and it oozes out in each of their photographs. Their recessional music was a Talking Heads song, and their first dance? Mazzy Star’s “Fade Into You.”

Anna’s J.Crew dress and her elegant, black BHLDN bridesmaids dresses were such an interesting mix with all of the modern art surrounding everyone at the event, coupled with the abundant olive leaves and eucalyptus cascading over the tables.

And the speeches… the speeches have really stuck with me this year. Nathan’s dad had everyone enjoying hearing about “The Bank of Dad” and Nathan’s clever banking methods as a child. And Nathan’s brother serving overseas even sent a speech along.

Watching the sun set from this special Madison rooftop — overlooking the glowing capital building — proved to be the perfect setting for this laid-back, unique event.

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You might not dream of fog on your wedding day, but let me assure you beauties, foggy I do’s are wedding gold. The pretty proof? Sits right here in THE VAULT, thanks to Untamed Heart Photography and their wildly good way with the lens. Top it off with a Reem Acra dress from Gabriella New York and it’s all over. More this way!

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Event Venue Weddings in Historical Venues

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Boho Meets Nautical Wedding Inspiration

From Untamed Heart Photography…When you picture an August wedding, you don’t think of thick fog and rain, but when all was said and done, it couldn’t have been more memorable. Arielle got to stand under the chuppah her father made for her, and marry the man that God made for her. It was a beautiful day!

From The Bride…Adam and I met in Milwaukee, where we both grew up, at the marriage of good friends. It turns out that though we’d never met as kids, we had a bunch of friends in common, had attended the same synagogue, and likely some of the same concerts as teenagers. Four months after we met, Adam moved to New York to be with me.

Funnily enough, we met our fabulous wedding planner at that same wedding! We loved the feel of that wedding so much, we contacted Jessica Arendas of Lourdes & Lorraine. She was instrumental in helping us make our wedding vision a reality. I vaguely knew that I wanted lots of greenery and foliage (inspired in part by the “tree house” art installation in the Brooklyn Botanical Garden where we got engaged), rustic simplicity, and a chic feel – what Jessica called “undone elegance.” We were instantly on the same page. She went above and beyond to help us design custom paper goods with Magnificent Milestones in Chicago, order furniture, work with the band – truly doing almost everything, necessitated by an a la carte warehouse space like the Pritzlaff Building in Milwaukee.

The result: farm tables, mercury votive candles, and a bridal bouquet of white Garden Roses, peach/champagne Stock, café au lait Dahlia, Dusty Miller, Seeded Eucalyptus, Scabiosa Pods, and Sword Fern fronds. The “barely there” cake by Miss Molly, the chiffon skirt and intricately beaded bodice on my Reem Acra dress – it all felt, indeed, effortlessly fabulous. To top it all off, the unseasonably cool and misty late August day was captured with sensitivity by Michelle Huesgen of Untamed Heart. I wanted photos that would feel romantic and timeless, and I knew she was it when I found her on Style Me Pretty. People: run, don’t walk, to book her! The film photos in particular are treasures.

Finally, the personal touches contributed by artistic family members made the wedding extra special. My sister painted a watercolor portrait of Adam and me for the Save the Date. My Dad, a metal sculptor, welded the chuppah, and my stepmother Nina, a fabric artist, quilted a chuppah cover of branches and leaves to recall our tree house engagement. It was an incredible day that we’ll never forget – and still quite surreal that it’s over!

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Spring 2015

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A waterfront wedding with a classic nautical nod is always a good idea but well, sometimes you want a little extra oomph – and Cherry Blossom Events knows exactly what I mean. By adding a dash of boho beauty, they created a scene that I’d be super excited to say “I do” in. With Jenna Kutcher’s gorgeous pics and Daffodil Parker’s pretty petals, our VAULT just got a major burst of beauty – see it all this way!

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Traditional + Elegant Wisconsin Wedding

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Bohemian Nautical

From Cherry Blossom Events… This shoot was inspired by our love of Wisconsin lakes and the beautiful lawn and view at Bishops Bay Country Club. Although we are not sailors we have always loved the beauty of sailboats out on the lake and have organized several couples arrival to their cocktail hour via sailboat. They have loved the quiet break in their day to just share some time in between the ceremony and reception.

The styling of this shoot was also influenced by the minimalist, bohemian trend we are fans of. The lush green of summer with pops of coral, blush and soft yellow were perfect accents to the whitewashed table and chairs we selected. The arctic mist table runner from BBJ was the perfect shade of soft blue and added just the right amount of texture to the design. Simple ivory place settings and a Yuma ivory napkin layered in more texture while keeping the design simplistic. Cement candlesticks from Anthropologie layered in more texture and soft grey to the table design. The low lush centerpiece with sprawling greens and beautiful blooms from Daffodil Parker served as a the perfect focal point to the table design. Watercolor escort cards from Sugar River Stationers were handwritten by photographer and watercolor artist Jenna Kutcher. The invitation and program from Sugar River Stationers also included the soft watercolor touches. To tie in with the love of sailing custom sailing flag banners were made spelling MR. and MRS. for the bride and groom’s chair backs and LOVE for them to hold as they came ashore after their romantic sale on Lake Mendota.

The dress was a custom design from the talented Monirose Bespoke Gowns and the perfect fit for a lakeside soiree with flowing fabric that blew in the breeze. A crown of petite greens was a lovely accent to the bohemian look. The groom’s look was simple and elegant with a classic navy suit from The Black Tux. The bride’s makeup was kept soft and natural with loose, romantic curls for a timeless, beautiful look from McKenzie Banks.

The cake and desserts were simplistic and rustic with an almond naked cake with vanilla buttercream and berry garnish. The wood harvest table from A La Crate Vintage Rentals served as the perfect base for the cake and mixed berry shortcakes.

The base for this lovely design was provided by the stunning pieces from Lakes Area Rental including many items from their coastal collection. Their white adirondack chairs and lanterns provided a perfect spot to relax with a cocktail and their French vintage chairs were lovely mixed with the whitewashed French country chairs.

We are so lucky to have such amazing vendors to collaborate with and this shoot was no exception. The amazing Jenna Kutcher wowed us with her photos!

Peruse more bohemian wedding inspiration here!

Whenever I read the words “hometown wedding” my heart truly smiles. Because these are always the types of celebrations that are brimming with sentiment and seriously romantic details. Take these dental school sweethearts who threw the ultimate hometown party complete with navy accents. It’s a wedding you won’t want to miss, and thanks to The McCartneys Photography you can see it all in THE VAULT!

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Elegant + Rustic Lakeside Wisconsin Wedding

From The McCartneys Photography…Gorgeous rich tones, florals to die for, candles & strung lighting making the room glow, and center pieces that almost touched the fabric draping from the ceiling. Evolutions in Design completely transformed the Jefferson Street Inn and when he unveiled it to the bride & groom shortly before guests entered, it literally brought Meghan & her family to tears! Meghan & Tony’s wedding in Wausau, Wisconsin was classic and luxurious from the start. Meghan paired her gorgeous, delicate gown by Lela Rose from L’atelier Couture with the prettiest pair of Jimmy Choo’s we’ve ever seen. Her ladies wore navy while Tony and his groomsmen were in classic black tuxes. We love a classic and beautiful wedding with unique touches and are hoping that you will feel the same!

A little bit about Meghan and Tony, the bride and groom: Meghan & Tony met in Dental School at the University of Iowa. Tony proposed to Meghan on December 28th, 2013, while they were in Chicago for the Bears/Packers Game (she’s a big Packers fan). They were out to dinner that night and he asked the server to take a picture of them. Had planned this out ahead of time, or course, and after the server took the photo Tony asked him to take one more. When he took it, Tony got down on his knee and proposed to Meghan!! Of course, the server captured a photo of their special moment and they also received many congratulatory well-wishes from other people dining as well.

Meghan & Tony planned their wedding in Meghan’s hometown of Wausau, Wisconsin. Tony’s family is from Iowa so their Central Wisconsin wedding brought many out-of-town guests to visit the area. For this reason, they planned to have their wedding in Wausau’s charming downtown area so everyone would have a well taken-care-of experience. After their ceremony at the most stunning Church in town, guests had a short two-block walk past darling little shops before they were welcomed to the Jefferson Street Inn with cocktail hour and passed appetizers. They were then ushered into a dolled up reception celebration through a candle-lit path before they stood in AWE of the magical scene in front of them! Literally, with the help of Randy at Evolutions in Design, they completely transformed the Jefferson Street Inn’s ballroom – it has never looked so good! This incredible space set the tone for an amazing evening ahead. Not to mention, their guests energy and the Spicy Tie Band made for an overflowing dance floor from the very first song.

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See more Wisconsin weddings in THE VAULT!

Charming, rustic and full of personal touches, this Wisconsin affair is everything a lakeside wedding should be. And from the sweet flower girl and ringbearers, the Bride’s adorable grandmother and the creative family tree, it’s safe to say this family-oriented day was full of love. See all the sweet details and the Bride’s gorgeous lace wedding dress in The Vault courtesy of Emily Steffen‘s lovely photography.

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Miss Wisconsin Says “I Do” in a Breathtaking Rustic Chic Wedding

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Lodge

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Classic Weddings Rustic

From Emily Steffen… Susie and Johnny planned a weekend getaway for their family and friends and the gorgeous Stout Island Lodge in Central Wisconsin. She married soft colors of blush, pink and gold with the relaxed feel of the lodge. With the ceremony outside facing the lake and reception on the lawn, guests were able to dance the night away and celebrate to the fullest with their family and friends.

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Badgley Mischka

Spring 2014 Bridal

2014 Bridesmaids

Spring 2014 Accessories

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Romona Keveza

Romona Keveza Luxe Bridal

Romona Keveza Luxe Bridal Fall 2016

Romona Keveza Bridal Fall 2017

Romona Keveza Collection Bridal Spring 2017

Romona Keveza Collection Bridal Fall 2019

ROMONA New York

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I have been staring at this feature for what seems like forever, but no matter how long I soak in its beauty, I still can’t find the words to describe just how amazing it is. Maybe that’s because the bride happens to be one of the coolest ladies ever (think Miss Wisconsin, medical school graduate at the age of 22 cool) and her Reem Acra gown may be the most stunning ensemble I’ve seen yet. Head to The Vault for every breathtaking image from Erin Jean Photography. It’s primed for your favorites list.

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Milwaukee 40th Birthday Party

From Erin Jean Photography… Tina and Kyle are quite an amazing couple. Tina is pretty much a superstar in her own right.

From YOU magazine…“To date, she’s the youngest alumna of both the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and University of Wisconsin Madison School of Medicine (graduating at 18 and 22 respectively). She was crowned Miss Wisconsin in 2003, the first medical doctor to compete in the scholarship pageant. In 2011, she was on the team of surgeons who performed the nation’s first full face transplant of a burn victim at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.”

She also happens to be one of the sweetest, kindest people I have ever met. She beams with inner beauty that is contagious to all around her.

It took this wonderful man named Kyle to bring her back to the beautiful state of Wisconsin. He stole her heart and the rest is history.

They planned this wedding FAST! 4 months to be exact. They even ordered their attire all online. I think most brides would have a panic attack over that statement

It was a beautiful day, the rain held off in the tiny, organic farm of ABOUT THYME in Baileys Harbor, the perfect venue. The flowers were jaw dropping and that dress had every guest in AWWW!!!

From the Bride… Kyle and I were both born and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin. We independently developed a love for the big city while living on the West and East coasts, respectively, before our paths crossed on a fateful summer night back in our hometown.

For our wedding, we wanted to celebrate our Wisconsin roots, but with an urban chic twist by bringing the big city to our home state. The barn at About Thyme Farm was the perfect setting to create a rustic, hometown vibe contrasted to the elegant, white-on-white, chandelier-clad tent where dinner, featuring an all-local menu, was served.

Thanks to the internet, living in a small city did not keep us from our love of big city fashion. With only three months to plan our wedding, every head-to-toe detail of the wedding party was purchased online. www.shopbop.com, based out of Madison, Wisconsin, was the go-to website for myself and the bridal party. I was especially thankful for the local gem when I ordered the lace top I wore for the wedding, one week before the big day!

My advice to future brides is to choose one or two things that are most important to you, and leave the other details in the hands of your wedding planners and family. Also, the internet is your friend-especially when you are in a time crunch!

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here

Reem Acra

Spring 2015

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It’s no secret that our style leans towards the glittery and girly but that’s not to say we can’t fully get on board with a 40th birthday bash with not an ounce of pink in sight. When it came to planning her husband’s party, Lauren of Ryder Sloan Events, pulled out all the stops. The result is a masculine meets elegant dinner party in Brew City with a trio of cakes that you’ll want to devour. See it all captured by Laurelyn Savannah right here!

When it came time to start planning my husband’s 40th birthday party, we threw around a lot of ideas, Miami, Cabo, Vegas, etc. But ultimately, we really wanted to bring everyone together in his hometown of Milwaukee. This meant that his friends and family could both be included.

I first reached out to Aerialist Press, a local letterpress studio where we currently live in San Francisco to create a beautiful but masculine invitation suite to get everyone excited to visit Brew City. And while we made a whole weekend of it with activities each day, Saturday night was the big party. We rented out Braise Culinary School’s private event space and rooftop garden (where they forage much of their food from). For example, the honey flavored birthday cake was made using fresh honey from their beehive.

As a wedding planner, I couldn’t stop at just that and tried to bring in some beautiful decor without going too feminine! Flower and Bee made lovely loose table garlands accented with succulents and local flowers. And as a custom touch, we rented vintage cocktail glasses and brass candlestick holders from Relic Vintage Rentals in which I used three different shades of gray tapers. I also had TAP Plastics here in SF cut gray acrylic squares for me to write 42 custom copper calligraphed menus which also acted as place cards for each guest.

We were lucky to have Laurelyn Savannah document the memorable night and we even snuck away early in the night to get a few Christmas card worthy shots of just the two of us

Rustic + Romantic Garden-Inspired Wisconsin Wedding

This summer wedding is truly a family affair. After all, it’s not every day you fall in love with your brother-in-law—but this Bride did, and her dream day, coordinated by Canvas Weddings, is something special. With lovely robes from Plum Pretty Sugar and gorgeous blooms from Daffodil Parker, this Bride and Groom began their forever in the perfect whimsical, romantic and rustic fête. See it all from Booth Photographics here.

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Wisconsin Greenhouse Wedding Inspiration

From Booth Photographics… Megan and Bennet met in high school when their siblings married each other. Megan liked Bennet, but he didn’t notice her. Years later, after they had grown to become sweet friends, they realized that they were meant for each other and allowed themselves to finally fall in love with each other.

Megan and Bennet planned a whimsical, garden-inspired wedding at the golf course she grew up at. Her father is a golf coach, and her brother, a golf professional, so Megan grew up spending her summer days at Pleasant View. She wanted to incorporate a sense of whimsy with a light and feminine color palette, foraged bouquets, oversized balloons, and hand lettered signage. Her love of garden inspiration drew in a lush floral backdrop for their ceremony as well as air plants and succulent touches.

As Megan and Bennet shared a glass of Champagne in their iconic Waterford stems, they grinned, rubbed noses, and kissed like they meant it. We loved how they told their personal story through their wedding design and held true to their vision for a whimsical and meaningful celebration.

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here

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Plum Pretty Sugar

Castelbel & Trumpet

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Lilli Tru

PomPon

Plum Pretty Sugar for BHLDN

PPS Couture

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Effortlessly elegant and filled with sweet details you’ll definitely want to tuck away, this greenhouse inspiration shoot from Laurelyn Savannah Photography is overflowing with pretty. Dreamy florals from Alluring Blooms seem to cover every beautiful inch of this stunning shoot, making this gallery beyond beautiful. See it all here.

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Jewel Tone Forest Wedding Inspiration

From Laurelyn Savannah Photography…With abundant farmland and garden properties in rural Wisconsin, we sought to embrace and accentuate the natural beauty of the Midwest landscape in this wedding inspiration shoot. The field-grass aisle runner, ceremony garland strung between trees, floral napkin rings, and farm tables achieved the perfect marriage of stylish and relaxed. Neutral ivory tones paired with olive, sage, copper and wood tones created an earthy color palette fitting for an outdoor, elegant affair.

While planning the inspiration shoot, we were inspired by the restored antique greenhouse and incorporated a simple, natural aesthetic that represents the best of the Midwest. Alluring Blooms provided lush, organic-styled florals to complement the location as well as the bride + groom’s attire. The loose florals paired with the modern calligraphy by Brush + Petal set the tone for a simplistic and inviting tablescape for guests to gather under the trees. To top it off, we chose a hand-made Elizabeth Dye gown that stands out texturally against the soft field grass and natural surroundings and creates a stunning focal piece.

Complete with a real married couple, this shoot was created to inspire brides to work alongside natural elements when planning a wedding day. By establishing a perfect blend of nature and elegance, you can create a comfortable and very personal experience for your guests. Calligraphy elements bring the perfect touch of personality to any wedding, and even if you don’t have the budget for an entire invitation suite, consider having a calligrapher hand-write your vows!

Monches Farm sits on several acres of gardens near a stream, and also holds a well-preserved greenhouse structures that was rescued and reassembled from a previous local property. The venue is a short drive from Milwaukee, and is a welcome respite from the busy pace of the nearby city.

With the first few whispers of fall, we’re happily welcoming those rich, lavish jewel tones that peek their pretty way onto our pages each time this year. Deep shades like emerald, lapis and amethyst that are layered in this slice of inspiration from Heather Cook Elliott, Tailored Engagements and daffodil*parker. Head to The Vault for even more jeweled-hued goodness!

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