Fall Wedding

Eveylyn + Jeremy's Lapham Lodge Wedding

Jeremy + Evelyn met in college and bonded over their shared love of board games

I love a good board game myself, so this little detail seems extra special and sweet to me! These two had a beautiful and laid-back wedding day at Lapham Lounge in Kettle Moraine State Forest, and despite the weather threatening us all morning and early afternoon, the ceremony was able to take place outdoors and it the deliciously overcast sky went perfectly with the moody Fall vibes of the nature surrounding Lapham Lodge.

Help me wish these two a BIG congratulations, and enjoy the photos of their gorgeous wedding day!

—Sam

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

Ceremony + Reception Venue: Lapham Lodge in Delafield Wisconsin

Jewelry: Diny’s Jewelry

Gown: Premier Couture Bridal Shop

Suit/Tux: Indochino

Desserts: A Little Slice of Heaven

Catering: QDoba

 
 

Alysse + Sam: A Beautiful Fall Wedding At Olbrich Botanical Gardens

These two had a fun and colorful wedding with lots of cute and nerdy details that we loved!

They’re also a dating app success story! The very first date, Sam made Alysse dinner, and absolutely knocked it out of the park with some chocolate chip cookies too, and by the third date, they were snuggling up and watching How to Train Your Dragon and making things official.

We loved the small nods to fandoms like Zelda, How to Train Your Dragon, etc., and you KNOW we love non-traditional wedding dresses and wedding capes! The whole wedding day was absolutely gorgeous, fun, and filled with joy, and we’re so happy to have been able to celebrate with Sam + Alysse! Help us wish these two a BIG congrats, and enjoy the photos of their wedding day!

—Sam

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

Ceremony + Reception Venue: Olbrich Botanical Gardens

Officiant: Maggi Hilgers (Friend of Couple)

Hair & Makeup: Headlines Mobile Hair and Makeup

Jewelry: The couple made their own wedding rings (whatttt?!) at RingRam in Japan!

Gown: Flora & Lane

Florist: DIY Dried Flowers

Desserts: The Baked Lab

Catering: Blue Plate Catering

 
 

Joel + Justin: A Maximalist Wedding for the Ages

Joel + justin combined their love of food and their love of art to make for one absolutely spectacular wedding celebration!

These two met like most couples do these days; online. But their love story is anything but average, and they brought that energy into their wedding day in a huge way!

Joel + Justin are both foodies who love to travel. They wanted to throw themselves into creating the perfect celebration of them as a couple and their friends, family, and chosen family! You wouldn’t believe all of the details these two thought of unless you were there, but I’m going to try my hardest to give you some highlights! Justin made all of the hors d'oeuvres for their guests himself, showing a wide range of different flavors and cuisines, and Joel made all the desserts (of which there were multiple options that all look phenomenal)! These two also handmade all of their wedding favors, which continued the food theme, and had little goodie bags that their guests could fill with tasty treats from the favors table, including honey, sourdough starters, cotton candy, dog treats, flavored salts, ramen mixes, and more! I feel like these two need to open their own Rose Apothecary but for food ASAP!

Other non-food related touches include Joel’s artistic flair showing itself in a myriad of ways! These two had an art installation in the foyer of Goodman Community Center’s Brass Works building that doubled as Joel + Justin’s living room, complete with record player, antique TV, strategically placed books and chairs, and the piece de resistance, a painting Joel is making of he and Justin! Each centerpiece was also a maximalist enthusiast’s dream, being themed on different regions of the world, and pulling in so many fun elements! A picture is worth a thousand words, so make sure to check them out below because seeing is believing!

Joel + Justin’s dogs, Gus and Bobo, were there to celebrate with them too, for photos before the wedding, and to walk down aisle with them, and even participate in the ceremony (mostly by interrupting very cutely). Speaking of ceremony, Justin + Joel did their own spin on a tea ceremony, in which they served tea to their wedding party and Joel’s mother, and later served to the entire group of guests during the first toast!

Last but not last, these two folded over 1000 paper cranes to use as place-card holders and as a beautiful backdrop for formal photos!

“We [were] striving to have a wedding that [was] out of the box and different than any wedding that anyone [had] ever been to before. We as a couple have always said that we are anything but normal and we wanted our wedding/reception to reflect that. By utilizing our individual skills, we added touches of ourselves throughout the day.” - Joel

Enjoy the amazingness that is Joel + Justin’s wedding , and help me wish them a BIG congratulations!

—Sam

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

Ceremony + Reception Venue: Goodman Community Center Brass Works Building

Officiant: Shoobie Shirley (friend of the couple)

Jewelry: Wedding Ring Store

Suits: NL Suits

DJ: Midwest Sound

Florist: DIY by Joel

Desserts: DIY by Joel (donuts from Greenbush Bakery)

Appetizers: DIY by Justin

Catering: Upstairs Downstairs Catering

Dog Handler: Kibbles & Kisses

Decor Rentals: Velvet Rentals

 
 

Rae + Jesii: A Beautiful Fall Wedding Day at Lakeview Park

These two had a beautiful and chill wedding ceremony surrounded by friends and family

Want to hear something adorable? When Jesii (they/them) proposed to Rae (they/them), it was while playing a board game! These two were playing an at home escape room game ( EXIT games) and Jesii changed the last two cards in the deck to be a proposal, so when they solved the game, it was actually Jesii popping the question!

I love this story (and also have a soft spot in my heart for nerdy, queer weddings and board games) and was SO excited to get to celebrate with Rae + Jesii and their friends and family!

Enjoy the photos of this awesome couple, and help me wish them a big congratulations!

—Sam

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

Ceremony + Reception Venue: Lakeview Park in Middleton, WI

Officiant: Becca Kopchak (friend of couple)

Florist: DIY

Catering: Pancake Cafe

Wedding Coordinator: Brenda Koeller

 
 

Michael + Daniel: A Chic and Modern Wedding at the Tinsmith

Daniel + michael’s wedding day was as fun and elegant as the couple!

These two (and their friends and family) were the absolute sweetest folks to work with! You could see the love and absolute pure joy Michael + Daniel have for one another every moment of their wedding day!

Also, check out how adorable their dogs Penny & Frankie are with their little flower wreaths!!!! Move over Moo Deng & Pesto, these two are my new favorite icons!

Enjoy the photos of this gorgeous wedding, and help me with Michael + Daniel a big congratulations!

—Sam

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

Ceremony + Reception Venue: The Tinsmith

String Quartet: Camerata Strings

DJ: DJ Femme Noir

Florist: Sunborn Gardens

Catering: Blue Plate Catering

Desserts: Kate’s Cakes

Wedding Coordinator: Piece of Cake Consulting

 
 

Helen + Joseph: An Intimate Wedding at Schoenstatt Shrine

Helen + Joseph have A love story that spans so many different life stages

Their families were friends growing up, so Helen + Joseph spent a lot of time together over the years, and even dated just after high school during Joseph’s gap year, but when Joseph went away to college, they decided that they’d prefer to break up than attempt to keep a long-distance relationship afloat for 4+ years, but they never forgot each other. Flash forward to 5 years after the amicable break-up, and they’re both living with their parents again during the shelter-in-place of the early 2020’s, and began chatting again, which led to Pandemic Dates (video calls, long walks, etc.), and eventually these two got back together and moved in once Joseph was finished with college, and he proposed shortly thereafter.

The JOY these two felt was so palpable! I’ve never seen two people more excited to be married, and it was such an honor to celebrate with them and their families at the intimate ceremony held at Schoenstatt Shrine! Help me wish them a big congratulations, and enjoy the photos of their beautiful wedding day!

—Sam

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

Ceremony + Reception Venue: Schoenstatt Shrine

Officiant: Father Michael Radowucz

Bridal Gown: Vera’s Bridal

Groom Tux: Men’s Wearhouse

Florist: Sola Wood Flowers

 
 

Erin + Rachel In Their Gayest Performance Yet

Rachel + Erin had a introvert’s dream wedding

A not overwhelming number of people, board games, crafts, ice cream & cookies, a t-shirt toss instead of a first dance, chill vibes, etc., which is to say, it was a perfect day for these two! A friend even made Rachel (they/them) and Erin (she/they) the most amazing wedding day poster in the style of old cinemascope films that touted this wedding being their gayest performance yet, which is honestly the coolest thing I’ve ever seen (I would absolutely hang this poster at my house and I’m not even in it, that’s how awesome it is)!

This was our last wedding of the 2023 wedding season and I was thrilled to end on such a high note! Help me wish these two a big congratulations on getting gay married, and enjoy the photos!

—Sam

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

Ceremony + Reception Venue: Goodman Community Center

Officiant: Erin’s Mom

Hair Salon: Thorps

Wedding Bands & Rings: Jeweler’s Workshop

Rachel’s Dress: H&M

Dried Flower Arrangements: Moon Flower

Floral Centerpieces: Goodman Community Center TEENworks program

Desserts: Cookies by Bloom Bake Shop and Ice Cream from The Chocolate Shoppe

Catering: Goodman Community Center

 
 

Wes + Sam: A Gorgeous Fall Wedding Day

Who knew what hating pink starbursts would lead to…

Sam + Wes met on Hinge, where Sam’s answer to the “unpopular opinion” question (that he hated pink starbursts) kicked off an intriguing conversation that turned into a lasting commitment, that turned into a marriage to celebrate that commitment! Which is absolutely amazing (even if I love pink starbursts).

The wedding day they planned with the help of their families was phenomenal and had so many sweet touches, including a guest “book” that was actually a phone (where you could leave a message for the couple!), a chest full of blankets in case folks got cold, an outdoor dance floor under the stars, and fake mustaches for the wedding party!

While the day started off rainy, it cleared up just in time for Sam + Wes’ ceremony. The wedding day itself (both ceremony and reception) was held at the property of Wes’ mom and stepdad, and it was the perfect backdrop for such a joyful celebration.

Help me wish these two a big congratulations, and enjoy the photos!

—Sam

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

Ceremony + Reception Venue: Wes’ Mom & Stepdad’s House

Officiant: Angela Santanni (friend)

Hair & Makeup: Rooted Culture Salon

DJ/Band: William Chorski

Catering: Blue Plate Catering

Wedding Coordinator: Brooke with Your Day, Your Way

Decor Rentals: Tables/chairs/bar/dinner service rentals from Event Essentials; Tent and Dance floor rentals from Madison Party Rental

 
 

Traci + Nicci: Wedding Portraits in a Wooded Wonderland

Traci + Nicci wanted to do their wedding portraits in a place that is very special to them

So we headed out to Donald County Park in Mt. Horeb to stop at some of their favorite spots along a trail they used to hike and run when they lived in Madison. It was a gorgeous day, and the spots they picked couldn’t have been more beautiful. Their actual wedding was just a few days before, which was an intimate gathering of close friends and family that they hosted at their house, but they knew they wanted their wedding portraits at the park, and I’m so, so glad they did, because it was just perfect! These adventuring folks climbed trees and rocks and braved all kinds of things to get fun photos, and it was such an honor to get to celebrate with these two!

Help me wish these two a big congratulations!!!

—Sam

 
 

Cassie + Luke: A Halloween-Themed Costume Party Wedding

A fun and sweet (literally) wedding day celebration!

Cassie + Luke met at The Bodgery (Madison’s makerspace) and bonded over a shared love of learning new things, making stuff, tabletop games, and a good sense of humor (love a good “yes, and”!)

Their wedding day was halloween-themed, complete with a trick-or-treat dessert bar, and adorably spooky accents, as well as games and crafts! Cassie + Luke also handmade each of the terrariums for each table, showcasing their love of making things, and, it was a costume party, which I love!

It was such a beautiful and joyful wedding day, and I’m so happy to have been able to celebrate with these two and their closest friends and family!

Help me wish them a big congratulations and enjoy the pics!

—Sam

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

Ceremony + Reception Venue: Red Oak Shelter and Devil’s Lake State Park

Jewelry: Engagement Ring by Aurora Designer; Wedding Bands by Lee Dorn Jewelers

Bride’s Outfit: Dress by Holy Clothing; Armor by ArtisansDAzureLARP

Groom’s Outfit: Atelierbacodaseta

Band: Fermata Caesura

Desserts: Madison Sourdough

Catering: North & South

 
 

Joy + Dave: A Chic and Modern Wedding at the Palestrina

Dave + Joy met at a Roller Derby after-party, at the urging of a mutual friend

Their friend, Kristin (our first friend in Madison when Rob and I moved here), recommend to Joy that she meet Dave, and then proceeded to show a picture of Dave with a beer glass just about as tall as he is, which is no inconsiderable height. Joy was open to meeting and low and behold, they both ended up at the same roller derby after party at the Atomic Koi, and hit it off from there!

These two love cats, Minecraft, and each other most heartily, and it’s clear as day when you see them together. I love how excited they were during the first look. I love how even when things went sideways (as many things do on any given wedding day), they rolled with the changes (see my REO Speedwagon reference there?) and enjoyed the company of their closest friends and family, and each other. I also love how they picked their wedding date. 10/22 would have been Joy’s grandparents 70th wedding anniversary, so this was a lovely way to honor her grandma who passed away in 2017 and her grandpa, who was able to make it to the wedding and take a spin around the dance floor with Joy.

Joy + Dave’s wedding day was so beautiful, and filled with little thoughtful details! Check out the whiskey tasting station, the photo guest book station, and the message in a bottle station they setup!

Help me wish these two a big congratulations, and enjoy the photos of their amazing wedding day!

—Sam

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

Ceremony + Reception Venue: Palestrina Event Center in Verona, WI

Officiant: Kelly Ignatoski

Hair & Makeup: Allure Artistry

Bridal Gown: Brandi's Bridal Galleria

Groom Tux: Men's Warehouse

Wedding Jewelry: Joy’s Wedding Band by Chalmer’s Jewelers | Joy’s Engagement Ring by EraGem | Dave’s Wedding Band by Larson Jewelers

Band: Hometown Sweethearts

Florist: Surroundings Events and Floral

Desserts: Cake by Madison Sourdough & Mini Bundt Cakes by Nothing Bundt Cakes

Catering: Blue Plate Catering

Wedding Coordinator: Copper Feather Events

Videographer: Ella Bella Productions

 
 

Gabi + Jacobi: A Glamorous and Joyful Outdoor Wedding in Sauk City

Jacobi + Gabi had a beautiful wedding day outside of Hahn House and The Vintage in Sauk City

I love the complimentary colors of their wedding dresses. and all of the wonderful touches that these two had as a part of their wedding day. It was an intimate celebration with family and close friends, with the outdoor ceremony taking place in between The Vintage in Sauk City and the Hahn House, and the reception following on the 2nd floor of the Vintage.

The wedding ceremony was also absolutely wonderful (and I cried at least twice). These two are so adorably in love, and I loved how they helped each other get ready, helped dry each other’s tears, and hugged their new in laws with gusto. It was a joy to celebrate with Gabi + Jacobi and their families!

Help me wish them a big congratulations!

—Sam

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

Ceremony Venue: The Hahn House

Reception Venue: The Vintage Sauk City