It’s easy to see when a couple is head over heels in love. You notice it in their smiles and in their embrace; and when it comes to photos – their love jumps right off the page! Madison and Carson are no different; excited about their future together and so much in love. Together for over five years, they are taking the next big step and met up with Gravidee Photography to capture this special time in their lives. You know we love it when a couple takes pride in their city and is able to show off its beauty in photographs. All the cool architecture and industrial scenery just add to the beauty of these photographs and sets the stage for where the rest of their story will unfold. Thanks to Gravidee Photography for sharing these images with us and thanks to Madison and Carson – here’s to the next 50+ years!
Real Wedding: Christina and Justin, Wisconsin
With Christmas all wrapped up, our anticipation is building for all the beauty headed our way in the New Year! And we can’t think of a better way to close out 2012 than with a gorgeous winter wonderland wedding! The couple, Christina and Justin, have always favored this time of year, so deciding to host their wedding in winter was the perfect way to set the scene for saying “I do”. With beautiful images by A & A Photography, we can almost feel the chill in the air, but Christina, Justin and their adorable daughter Emma, had their love to keep them warm.
Special thanks to A & A Photography for proving once and for all that it really is a nice day for a winter-white wedding!
Who, What, Where ~ Photography: A&A Photography. Reception: Red Circle Inn & Bistro. Florals: Ester. Cake: Extra Special Touch. Favors: Indulgence Chocolate. Ceremony Music: Elegant Gypsies. DJ: DJ Smoov Music
From the Bride, Christina…
Our story began with our first New Year’s Eve. We started dating shortly after that first Eve, we fell in love. Two years later we had our daughter, Emma. For a few years we just focused on being great parents. Then New Years Eve came again, and just a few minutes before the New Year my husband got on one knee and proposed. Of course I said yes! The wedding planning started the next day.
My husband and I are very busy with work from April – November so the best time to have a wedding for us was winter. With January being so special to us we decided on the date of 1-15-11. The theme was classic / sophisticated winter wedding. My colors were Navy, white, and hints of silver.
We did so many great little projects for the wedding. My mother in law is amazing and had so many great ideas. We did the seating charts and place cards which I think were perfect. The name cards were placed in a little ornament covered in snowflakes (guess could take these home). All our vendors were Wonderful! The day went so smooth.
The only thing missing from my wedding was my Grandmother who had passed away. I wrapped a necklace she always wore around my bouquet along with wearing here pearl bracelet. This was special to have her close to me even though I knew she was watching me that day.
My favorite part of the day would sound like any mother. It was watching Emma (our 4yr old daughter) get ready. I loved seeing her in her little dress and watching her walk down the aisle and run into her daddy’s arms. The most special part was when my husband and I went to light the eternity candle. We had an extra candle there for our daughter and we help her light her candle with ours. The last thing we did to make the wedding our own was during the father daughter dance we asked that all fathers join us with their daughters on the dance floor. This way my husband got a special dance with our daughter. This was truly a magical day for us.
Real Weddings: Jacqueline and Jake, Wisconsin
I absolutely love it when couples embrace all things midwestern for a wedding. Sure our region of the country has tons of amazing big cities, with lots to offer couples getting married, but nothing seems more personal than a couple getting married at a location that has special meaning to them and their family. Jacqueline and Jake were struggling with two things while planning their day. One was the theme, and two was the venue. Their 500+ guest list didn’t leave them a ton of options so when Jake suggested they get married on his families farm in a corn field Jacqueline couldn’t of been happier. She, and a team of talented designers ran with the theme incorporating hay bails, cowboy boots, and other farm elements into the day. Despite a little rain during the ceremony, everything turned out beautifully, and the mix of elegant and country provided a setting that was uniquely their own. A big thank you to Jacqueline for sharing all the details of the day, and to Lace Hanky Photography for the lovely images.
Who, What, Where ~ Ceremony/Reception: Private Residence. Photography: Lace Hanky Photography. Flowers: Bo Jons Flowers. Caterer: River City Catering. Baker: Lunds and Byerlys. Stationer: A Milestone Paper Co. Make-up: DIY by the bride. Linens and Rentals: Festivities!
Even more loveliness…
From the bride, Jacqueline…
I met Jake in High School, in my mother’s Chemistry class. We dated some in high school but decided that we should go our separate ways when Jake left for college, as he was a year older than me. Fait brought us back together when we both ended up at University of Wisconsin La Crosse and the rest is history.
This wedding was truly a team effort with nearly all family members involved. As Jake and I were still in school details were worked out between wedding planners and family members as well as the two of us. Whether it was working out details of booking vendors or crafts to be completed or even the work that needed to be done on the wedding site the entire Johnson and Steinmetz family made our special day possible.
It ended up raining in the middle of our ceremony but everyone seemed to have made the best of it as we gathered for drinks before heading back out and I was reminded that it’s good luck if it rains on your wedding day. Jake’s great Grandma Killian was able to be present and this was truly special as she passed away only a few weeks after the wedding. My father/daughter dance was one to remember, as my father and I swing danced to Frank Sinatra’s “The way you look tonight” played and sung by my Grandma Frank Steinmetz on his accordion.
My favorite part of the day was the moment I got to see Jake for the first time, in the middle of the cornfield. It made my heart stop and made me realize just how lucky I am to have him in my life.
Real Weddings: Lisa and Brendan, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
When I started looking through the photos of Lisa and Brendan’s day, I have to say I felt a bit overwhelmed. There were so many amazing details, beautiful colors, and every moment was captured perfectly by the talented Heather Cook Elliott. I wasn’t exactly sure where I was going to be able to make cuts, so we definitely have more images to look at in this post than usual. I also thought it was adorable that Brendan wrote the narrative for their day. It’s not often that groom’s get into the act of participating in the blog posts, but I have to say I love what he wrote. It really brings their day to life! A big thank you to Brendan and Lisa for sharing the details of the day, and to Heather Cook Elliott Photography for the lovely images.
Who, What, Where ~ Ceremony/Reception: Boerner Botanical Garden. Photography: Heather Cook Elliott Photography. Flowers: Floral Impressions by Esther. Vidography: Blu Couture. Photobooth: Dustin White. Bride and Bridesmaids Attire: Lela Rose. Groom/Groomsmen Attire: Jim’s Formal Wear.
Even more loveliness…
From the groom, Brendan…
Our love story began in a rowdy northern Wisconsin honky tonk while throwing darts and downing beers. Don’t all the epic ones start in such a way? Lisa and I met through mutual friends and we were lucky enough to develop a friendship prior to falling in love. Even before we started dating, I knew Lisa possessed a heart so remarkably pure that, no matter the circumstance, she would do anything in her power to make life better for those around her. Lisa, meanwhile, knew there was more to me than just my dashing good looks and rugged masculinity. For instance, I think she was really impressed with my extensive knowledge about the Milwaukee Brewers.
Seriously, looking back, I can’t envision our path to happiness unwinding any other way. Our friendship – and the ability to laugh with one another – sparked a remarkable, unimaginable love. Lisa and I were engaged atop Dunn’s River Falls in Jamaica. It was a memorable proposal involving horses, a pair of affable Jamaican tour guides, a waterfall, some soaked cargo shorts and a comically undersized ring – but that’s a story best told in a Jamaican accent over a round of Red Stripe.
As unforgettable as the proposal was, it pales in comparison to our wedding day. Like anything Lisa does, she poured her heart and soul into making sure our special day would be remarkable. As the planning progressed, and her “wedding binder” grew into a living, breathing thing that weighed as much as a small hatchback, I knew every detail would be perfect. And indeed it was.
These are some of the words Lisa uses to describe our Anthropology-inspired wedding: eclectic, modern and country chic. I simply call it “magazineish” because every image captured by our insanely talented photographer, Heather Cook Elliot, looks like it could be in a catalog for wedding awesomeness. With help from our moms, we made the candy table bags, labels, name cards and ceremony programs by hand. Not only was it fun to make the items together, it also made me feel good that my wife-to-be trusted me with things like a glue stick, scissors and paper punch.
Our table numbers were also one-of-a-kind creations as they featured our beloved Australian Shepherds Montana and Finnegan. The dogs patiently posed for pictures taken in a tiny touristy town by our close friend Jeff Lazewski (owner of Gravidee Photography) during a vacation to the lake last summer. We were also fortunate to have Montana and Finn brought to the beautiful Boerner Botanical Gardens in Milwaukee, WI, following our ceremony so they could share in our joy and experience all the charm a 90-degree wedding day in Wisconsin has to offer!
Lisa and I both have quite a bit of Irish coursing through our blood (we honeymooned in Ireland) so we were proud to incorporate a good deal of Celtic tradition into our ceremony. Our Reverend Jennifer Miller was a kind and clever woman that worked hard to get to know us as people while providing us with a ceremony that matched our personalities.
For me, the most brilliant part of the wedding day was the moment I took Lisa’s hands in mine and, standing before family, friends and God, professed my devotion to the woman I love. Following our vows, as Mother Nature continued to turn up the thermostat while withholding even the slightest semblance of a breeze, Lisa noticed the sweat dripping down my forehead and kindly handed me her something old – a white lace hankie once owned by her great grandmother – so I could wipe my forehead. It was a simple and genuine act of kindness from my new wife, the most selfless person I’ve ever known.
DIY Projects, Inspiration, Real Weddings, Wisconsin | 
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Real Weddings: Michelle and Matt, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Michelle and Matt met through mutual friends in August 2006. They started dating and immediately became inseparable. When deciding where to have their wedding, Michelle said it just felt right to have it in Milwaukee, where they spent their entire relationship and built such great memories. They were so excited to invite their family and friends to join them and explore the city they love so much. Michelle wanted their day to be simple, classic, and romantic, and chose navy with pops of green and purple as her colors. A big thank you to Michelle for sharing all the details of her and Matt’s day, and to Carly McCray Photography for submitting the lovely images.
Who, What, Where ~ Venue – 1451 Renaissance Place, Photographer – Carly McCray Photography, Flowers – Impressions by Esther Fleming, Cake – Milwaukee Cupcake Company, Invitations – Wedding Paper Divas, Caterer – Chef Jack’s Catering, Brides Dress – Premiere Couture, Tuxes – Harleys for Men, Bridesmaid Dresses – Bella Bridesmaid.
Even more loveliness…
From Michelle…
The very first wedding detail I took care of was my dress. I really liked the simplicity and the romance of lace. We chose navy blue for the bridesmaid dresses and green/purple accents because I’ve always loved these colors. I’m drawn to navy blue and green, from the clothes I wear, to our home decorations. They’re just classic, beautiful colors.
I used Etsy.com to find unique, one of a kind, custom made items. We purchased an address stamp that we used on our invitation envelopes, clutch purses for the bridesmaids, and our adorable cupcake toppers.
In trying to find a unique, meaningful “something old” item for my wedding day, my mother asked my grandmother if she had anything special I could use. At my bridal shower, my grandmother gave me a beautiful handkerchief, that was a wedding gift from her mother. My grandmother explained that she has treasured this handkerchief for 61 years, since her wedding day, September 28, 1950, and it was now mine to treasure and keep safe. The handkerchief ended up being even more of a meaningful, special gift, as my grandparents were not able to be with us in Milwaukee that day due to complications with their health.
Matt and I share a love of good music and good food, so it was important to us that the day reflected us, and that our guests really enjoyed our special day. Everything was perfect, beautiful, and ran smoothly. We both agree that it was the happiest and best day of our lives. To have so many people there for you, who love and support you, and are there to celebrate your love and happiness….it was an amazing, humbling experience!
