Cara + Richard: A DIY Wedding Celebration to Remember

Cara + Richard had an amazing wedding day with so many personal touches

These two had just about the cutest “how we met” story ever! They were both playing in the same community band, but never ended up talking because they’re both introverted and talking to people is hard (relatable, huh?). But they then ended up connecting on Bumble, and realized they were both in the community band. Shortly after they started dating, they starting square dancing together, even going so far as to take lessons, and their wedding reception was held in the very same place they had their first square dance, the Courtyard by Marriott!

Cara + Richard’s wedding day had so many thoughtful and personal touches, and so much DIY fun! Cara hand-knit her wedding veil, her mom knit the bridesmaids shawls, her father made the beautiful wooden lanterns that lined the aisle for their ceremony, her grandmother hand-painted a sign for the remembrance table, and there are probably a million other things as well, but needless to say the amount of DIY spirit and craftiness was absolutely magical!

Their wedding day was so joyful and special, and it was clear how much Cara + Richard’s family and friends care for and support them and their marriage, which is wonderful to see. Help me wish them a big congratulations, and enjoy the photos!

—Sam

And here are the vendors that helped make their wedding day awesome!

Ceremony Venue: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Reception Venue: Courtyard by Marriott (Madison West)

Officiant: Pastor Dara Schuller-Hanson

Hair Stylist: Brideheads

Makeup Artist: Katie Roehm

Wedding Bands/Rings: The Diamond Center

Bridal Gown: Brandi’s Bridal

Groom Tux: Generation Tux

DJ: Midwest Sound DJ Entertainment

Florist: Lacie Schroder (with Sola Flowers)

Desserts: Looking Glass Bakery

Catering: Courtyard by Marriott (Madison West)

Square Dance Caller: Dave Schulz

Chloe + Moose: A Wedding Celebration to Remember

Chloe + Moose married in 2021 and had a fun and joyful celebration with friends and family at the Overture Center in 2022

But first, they had photos with their family and their dogs, Tia + Toast, at Westmorland Park on Madison’s West side, surrounded by wildflowers, which is the same place we took their “Yay we’re married!” photos earlier this year! Check those out here.

I loved the non-traditional men’s hairstyles for Moose and Chloe’s brother, Sam! More braided men’s updos please!

The Overture Center was so lovely as their reception venue, and Chloe + Moose even had life-sized cutout of themselves, and of their two dogs, so the doggos could be there in spirit!

Enjoy these joyful photos, and help me in congratulating Chloe + Moose on their wedding!

—Sam

Here are the Vendors that helped make their wedding day awesome!

Formal Photos Venue: Westmorland Park

Reception Venue: The Overture Center

DJ: Andre with Celebrations Entertainment

Bridal Gown: The Wedding Shoppe (vendor), Selby Rae (Designer), Monetti Tailoring (alterations)

Groom Tux: National Tuxedo Rentals

Groom Tie: DIY (Bride made it herself!)

Bridal Flower Crown: LisaUaShop on Etsy

Bridal Shawl: DIY (Bride crocheted it herself!)

Wedding Party Ties: Knotty Tie Co

Wedding Party Dresses: Azazie

Wedding Party Suits: StudioSuit

Wedding Bands: Bauer Jewelry Designs

Hair Stylist: Timeless Designs

Makeup: DG Beauty Salon

Florist: Felly’s Flowers

Wedding Desserts: Madison Sourdough Company

Catering: Fresco Catering

Candle Holders: BlueCornBeeswax on Etsy

Candles: BeesLightCandles on Etsy

Table sashes: ByFernStudio on Etsy

Cardboard Cutouts: Cardboard Cutout Standees

Hannah + Tim: A Beautiful Wedding At the Aldo Leopold Nature Center

Hannah + Tim met while playing D&D and were friends for years before they started dating

I’ve always thought that some of the best romantic relationships spring from true friendship, especially because friendship is such an important element in a successful romantic relationship. When talking about their relationship, Hannah said “how it feels” has always been so much more important than any label ever could be, and to see these two together, that absolutely seems true. If how sweet and tender they were towards each other on what can sometimes be a very stressful (if happy) day is any indication, these two know what is truly important. It was an honor to celebrate with them!

Enjoy the wedding photos of these two (and the gorgeousness that is the Aldo Leopold Nature Center) and help me wish them a big congratulations!

-Sam

Here are the vendors (with links) that helped make their wedding day awesome!

Ceremony + Reception Venue: Aldo Leopold Nature Center

Officiant: Raquel Sanchez

DJ: Emily Mill (DJ Millbot)

Bridal Gown: Brandi's Bridal Galleria / Maggie Sottero / Professional Alterations by Lorri

Bridal Boots: John Fluevog

Wedding Bands: Jewelry by Johan

Florist: Sunborn Gardens

Desserts: Madison Sourdough

Catering: Chef Dave

Kristen + Jacob: A DIY Lussier Family Heritage Center Wedding

Kristen + Jacob had a gorgeous and misty Summer wedding day!

The rain held off just long enough for Kristen + Jacob to have a beautiful outdoor ceremony at the Lussier Family Heritage Center’s Solar Shelter, followed by formal photos under the immense 300 year old oak tree (which is one of my all-time favorite spots at the Lussier Family Heritage Center).

The celebration was so fun and joyful, and there were people on the dance floor from the second the Bride and Groom were done with their first dance until I left for the evening (to the tune of “Grace Kelly”, which may be the catchiest song known to man).

Help me wish these two a big congratulations on their wedding day, and if you’d like to check out their engagement photos, click here.

-Sam

Here are the wedding vendors (with links) that helped make their wedding day awesome!

Ceremony + Reception Venue: Lussier Family Heritage Center

Officiant: Analiese Eicher (friend of the couple)

DJ: Midwest Sound

Bridal Gown: David’s Bridal

Groom Suit: Men’s Wearhouse

Bride’s Engagement Ring: Angara

Bride’s Wedding Band: Jeweler’s Workshop

Hair + Makeup: Lotus Artistry

Florist: Diane at Metcalfe's

Desserts: Anderson Baked Goods (cupcakes), Kim Baierl (cookies)

Catering: Blue Plate Catering

Max + Athena: A Hobbit-Inspired Wedding Celebration at the Iron Amethyst Inn

Max + Athena wanted their wedding celebration to have a “Bilbo Baggins Eleventy-First Birthday Party” vibe, and they absolutely nailed it!

Athena + Max had a small, intimate legal wedding ceremony the day before their more traditional Jewish wedding ceremony and celebration. The bigger gathering took place at the historic Iron Amethyst Inn in Mazomanie, WI, which was the perfect venue for the vibe they were looking for. All of the small details of the day were absolutely gorgeous, and though the day was overcast, these two made it as sunny as could be.

Enjoy the photos, and help us wish these two a big congratulations (times two!) for their very special wedding weekend extravaganza!

-Sam

Here are the vendors that helped make their wedding celebration day spectacular:

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Iron Amethyst Inn

Officianti: Rabbi Laurie Zimmerman

Bridal Gown: Martin McCrea Couture

Groom Suit: Lucca Clothing

Hair & Makeup: Daymaker

Florist: Blooms by Brandi

Wedding Coordinator: Catherine Richards / Spellbinding Soirees

Desserts: Honey Bee Bakery

Catering: The Globe Restaurant and Fromagination

Tent Rental: D&S Tent Rentals

Decor Rentals: Velvet Rentals

Emma + Daniel: A Fall-Themed Wedding at the Goodman Brass Works Building

We were so excited to photograph Emma + Daniel’s wedding in the historic Goodman Center Brass Works Building!

I have been wanting to photograph a wedding in the Brass Works building ever since the Goodman Center renovated it, but COVID had other plans. It turns out it was well worth the wait though, because Emma + Daniel’s wedding was an absolutely perfect wedding day, and a great way to send off our 2021 wedding season!

All of the little personal touches that Emma + Daniel poured into their wedding day were wonderful! Daniel made all of the vases that sat on each of the tables and Emma designed the floral decor herself! With Daniel being a trumpet player, there were no shortage of musical guests playing for different parts of the wedding day, and the whole thing was such a lovely and sweet celebration of these two and their commitment to each other.

Help me wish Emma + Daniel a big congratulations, and enjoy the photos of their magical fall wedding day!

-Sam

Here are the vendors (with links) that helped make their wedding day awesome!

Ceremony + Reception Venue: Goodman Center Brass Works

Officiant: Phillip Cross (Dan's Uncle)

Wedding Band: Orchesta de Latin Pride (Sound equipment courtesy of Dan's uncle Fred)

Wedding Gown: The Wedding Shoppe (Wilderly bridal collections)

Groom’s Tux: Men's Wearhouse

Bridal Jewelry: Family Heirlooms

Hair Stylist: Brynn The Styling B

Wedding Party Attire: Mother of the maid of honor made the bridesmaid dresses and Dan’s mother made the Groomsmen’s vests & ties

Florals: K&A Greenhouse (floral decor, designed by the bride), Bre Cotter (bouquets), Suella Moran (boutonnieres)

Wedding Desserts: The House Cafe & Bakery

Catering: Working Class Catering

Tori + Kevin: A Colorful Garver Feed Mill Wedding

Tori + Kevin threw one Heck of a wedding day celebration at the glorious garver feed mill

When the couple whose wedding you’re photographing once dressed up as Ron Swanson from Parks and Rec and Karen from Will and Grace (the ultimate real-life power couple) for Halloween as an adorable inside joke, you know you’re in for a fun-filled and good time kind of wedding day! They even snuck their puppy Myles for some photos!

I met Tori + Kevin for the first time on their wedding day and was instantly charmed, not only by the two of them, but also by the vibe of the day, and how sweet and friendly everyone was, and the rest of the wedding day only got better as the sun got lower!

A BIG congratulations to Tori + Kevin, and enjoy these super sweet wedding pics below!

-Sam

Here are the vendors (with links) who helped make their wedding day awesome!

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Garver Feed Mill

Officiant: Justin Miller (friend of the couple)

Bridal Gown: Vera’s House of Bridals

Groom’s Suit: Men’s Wearhouse

Wedding & Engagement Rings: Brilliant Earth

Hair Stylist: Marie Hemming (my fave!!!) of Love + Light Hairdressing

Florist: Laura The Kind Flower

Wedding Desserts & Catering: Garver Feed Mill

Coffee: Ledger Coffee Roasters

Decor Rental: Event Essentials

Olivia + Jim: A Lush and Intimate Wedding at Westmorland Park

Olivia + Jim had a small, laid-back wedding within walking distance from their house at the lovely Westmorland Park in Madison, Wisconsin

The two of them wanted to have a simple and beautiful wedding day, and they absolutely nailed it! All of the small details of the day were absolutely perfect, as was the Pizza Brutta and the Baron’s Gelato (yum!). The wedding ceremony itself took place in a little area of Westmorland Park that’s tucked away almost like a little secret garden and Olivia + Jim’s closest friends and family were there to celebrate with them and cheer them on as they tied the knot. Their wedding vows even mentioned one of Olivia’s favorite things, which is all the adorable pet names Jim has for her (I’m a big fan of pet names so I just think this is the cutest)!

Congratulations to Olivia + Jim, and enjoy the photos of their beautiful wedding day!

-Sam

Here are all the wedding vendors (with links) that helped make their wedding day magical:

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Westmorland Park

Officiant: Jason Kirkwood (a friend of Jim’s from college)

Bridal Jumpsuit (!!!): Rebecca Schoneveld jumpsuit (via Honey Bridal wedding shop in Chicago)

Engagement Ring & Wedding Bands: William Thomas Custom Jewelry

Hair & Makeup: Lyndse at Aniu Salon

Desserts: Baked goods from Batch Bakehouse, Gelato from Baron’s Gelato, and guest cookie packs from The Missing Pastry

Catering: Pizza Brutta Mobile Pizza Oven

Abby + Matt: A Gorgeous Rooftop Wedding at MMoCA

Abby + Matt’s wedding was vibrant and filled with joy!

And the views of the Capitol building and the Orpheum on the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA) in the heart of Downtown Madison didn’t hurt either. ;)

Their wedding day theme was world-building, with the colors of the sea and sky worked into the details of their wedding day. Abby’s bouquet was made of paper flowers which were in turn made out of pages of The Hobbit (no one knows more about world-building than Tolkein), and instead of a unity candle, they symbolized their union with two adorable little birds making a nest together.

Help me wish Abby + Matt a hearty congrats, and enjoy all the lovely details and big moments from their wedding day!

-Sam

Here are all the vendors (with links) that helped make their wedding day awesome!

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA)

Officiant: Dana Pellebon (friend of Bride & Groom)

Bridal Gown: Vera’s House of Bridals

Hair & Makeup: Where it's At Studio (Bride’s hair) & Brideheads for other Hair & Makeup

Wedding Jewelry: Jeweler's Workshop

Paper Bouquet & Boutonniere: Made by a friend

Florals: DIY

DJ: John Frerick (DJ Senseless)

Catering: Fresco

Wedding Desserts: Batch Bakehouse

Rentals: Projector from Game Crafter

Caitlin + Nick: An Elegant and Beautiful Wedding at Harvest Moon Pond

Caitlin + Nick performed an amazing ballroom dance routine for their first dance!

Which makes total sense since these two met through ballroom dance competitions. (How cool is that?!)

Their wedding day was hot as all heck, but absolutely gorgeous and filled with tons of laughs, delicious food, great music, and that was all in addition to the beautiful ceremony and amazing dancing!

Congratulations to Caitlin + Nick, and help me wish these two all the best!

-Sam

Here are the vendors (with links) that helped make Caitlin + Nick’s wedding day awesome!

Ceremony + Reception Venue: Harvest Moon Pond

Officiant: Eric Whaylen (friend of the couple)

DJ: Kuhl Entertainment

Bridal Gown: Love Couture Bridal

Groom Tux: The Black Tux

Wedding Bands & Engagement Ring: Washington Diamond

Hair & Makeup: Arch Apothecary

Florist: Sunborn Gardens

Wedding Pies: Hubbard Ave Diner

Catering: Blue Plate Catering

Decor Rental: Black Sheep Events (formerly Eventfuls) for the Wedding Arch

Cat + Sam: An Intimate Olin Park Wedding Day

Cat + Sam had their first look at the same spot where they first said “I love you”

And if that isn’t the sweetest thing you’ve heard today, I don’t know what to tell you. Their first “I love you” came at the first metal bench on Picnic Point, so on their wedding day, that’s exactly where they wanted to do their first look. It was a little rainy, and a little cold, but absolutely gorgeous, and I’m so happy I got to photograph them at such a special place!

For their wedding at Olin Park, they wanted to keep things casual with their closest family in attendance, and to celebrate with pizza and donuts afterward. I loved the purple and lavender accents they used for decor, and also of course the heating lamps because brrrrrr was it cold out!

Congratulations to Cat + Sam!

-Sam

Here are all the vendors who helped make Cat + Sam’s wedding day awesome:

Ceremony + Reception Venue: Olin Park

Officiant: Judge Jennifer Nashold

Bridal Gown: Lulus’s Bridal

Wedding Jewelry: Brilliant Earth (Bride’s necklace was her dad’s wedding ring)

Hair Stylist: Kismet Salon

Florals & Decorations: Ling’s Moment

Wedding Dessert: Level 5 Donuts

Wedding Pizza: Roman Candle

Rachael + Sam: A Madison Lakeside Park Wedding

On a beautiful and windy Spring day in Burrows Park, Rachael + Sam said “I Do”

I love small and intimate weddings, and Racheal + Sam’s wedding day was just that. Small, intimate, and full of life and love. As most wedding days do, it started off a little stressful, but everything came together by the main event, which of course was the wedding vows!

Rachael + Sam had a wonderfully short and sweet wedding ceremony (where Rachael was holding their youngest) and then were able to relax and celebrate with their closest friends and family and enjoy the weather! Just what a wedding day should be!

Help me with Rachael + Sam a big congrats, and enjoy the wedding photos!

-Sam