LeeAnn + Justin: A Chic Downtown Madison Wedding

These two wanted a simple and beautiful wedding and then a kickass party, and they definitely had both!

LeeAnn + Justin met on Hinge in the fall of 2021. From everything they said, it was one of those first dates you just never want to end. In 2023, Justin took a year to travel nurse. It was challenging to be apart for that long but it helped them up their communication game (a must for any successful relationship) and also helped them see how important they are to each other’s happiness. After getting engaged in August 2024, they planned this wedding day (which was a joy to attend) for their friends and family, and if you looked at either of their faces at any point during the wedding day, you could see how ludicrously in-love they are. Their honeymoon will be spent packing, as they prepare to head off on their next adventure (a cross-country move) together!

The Rigby feels like it was meant exactly for their wedding celebration too, and the mini dance party that broke out after the formal dances was epic! We left the wedding feeling awesomely energized and so happy to have been able to celebrate with LeeAnn + Justin!

Help me wish these two not only a BIG congrats, but also wish them good luck on their next adventure!

-Sam

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

Ceremony Venue: Monona Terrace

Reception Venue: The Rigby

DJ/Band: Greg at Kuhl Entertainment

Engagement Ring: TQ Diamonds

Bridal Gown: Bon Bon Belle

Groom Suit: Monetti Tailoring

Hair & Makeup: Melissa Ann Artistry + co.

Florals: White Fence Flower Company

Desserts: Greenbush Bakery

Wedding Coordinator: Becky Kolb (Bride’s Best Friend’s Sister)

 
 

Katie + Cody: A Magical Wedding in Lake Kegonsa State Park

Katie + Cody’s wedding day was as enchanting as the two of them

Okay listen, I’m a crier. I cry when I’m sad, I cry when I’m mad, I cry when I’m frustrated, but more important than all of those, I cry when I’m happy. I was in excellent company on Katie + Cody’s wedding day, because there were very few dry eyes in the park, including Cody + Katie themselves! There were huge smiles and tears of joy nearly every time I looked around, and it was so clear how much these two adore each other, and how happy their friends and family are for them!

The wedding day itself could not have been prettier, with gorgeous sunny weather, beautiful surroundings in the form of the forests of Lake Kegonsa State Park, and tasty food and desserts and drinks for everyone! It was a perfect wedding! Please help me wish Katie + Cody a BIG congratulations, and enjoy the photos of this sweet celebration of love!

—Sam

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

Ceremony + Reception Venue: Lake Kegonsa State Park

Desserts: Bloom Bakeshop

Catering: Beef Butter BBQ

 
 

Michelle + James: A Romantic Spring Wedding at Olbrich Gardens

A queer love story for the ages

Michelle + James met in college prior to James’ transition and were friends for years before each realized they had feelings for the other, or that they were even queer (a tale as old as time in the queer community, amiright?) but eventually they both figured it out and the world is better for it! From a magical trip on a dinner train at a northern Wisconsin resort in the middle of a blizzard, to James’ enlisting Michelle’s help to plan what turned out to be the engagement proposal (surprise!), these two have been having adventures and being adorably in love for 12 years now!

Their wedding day was an unseasonably warm & sunny late April day and we were lucky enough to have magnolias in bloom at Olbrich just in time for couples portraits! The day was a beautiful mix of tradition and whimsy, and Michelle + James were able to celebrate their commitment to one another with so many friends & family members cheering them on! Their friends even put together a flash mob dance for the song Apt. by Bruno Mars & Rose´!

It was a joy to celebrate with Michelle + James! 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: Olbrich Gardens

Officiant: Rob Anderson, Oso In Love Events

Hair & Makeup: Studio Z

Wedding & Engagement Rings: Jewelers Workshop

Bridal Gown: Veras House of Bridals

Groom Tux: Indochino

DJ: DJ Aaron Womack with Kuhl Entertainment

Florist: Daffodil*Parker

Desserts: Batch Bakehouse

Catering: Lao Laan-Xang

Wedding Coordinator: Rob Anderson, Oso In Love Events

Videographer: Ella Bella Productions

 
 

Erin + Ingrid: 10 Years of Making the World Better Together

Erin + Ingrid celebrated their 10 year anniversary surrounded by friends and family from across the globe

These two have had some amazing adventures both together and separately in the last 10 years! They met and eloped in 2015, the year same-sex marriage was legalized, and have spent a significant amount of their decade-long marriage abroad, working in Russia, the Ukraine, and other places along the way! After 10 years together, they decided that they wanted to have a belated wedding reception to celebrate their union with friends and family and adorable puppy Butter (now more than ever it’s important to celebrate queer joy and queer love) and so the idea was born to host the reception in their adopted hometown of Madison, WI!

The morning of the reception, we met at the Dane County Farmer’s Market to take photos with the couple’s close friends and so that folks from out of town could enjoy the farmer’s market (yay Stella’s hot spicy cheese bread!).

The reception itself was held later in the day at the gorgeous Goodman Community Center Iron Works building, and featured delicious all-vegetarian food and a picture-focused activity for guests to find pictures of themselves on the cocktail tables and write good wishes to the couples on the backs before placing the photos in a photo album (I LOVE this activity in place of a guest book!). The tunes were great (as they always are with Kuhl Entertainment) and there was so much joy and love to go around it made me a little weepy! (I’m a crier, what can I say?)

Enjoy the photos of this fun and meaningful 10 year anniversary wedding celebration, and help me wish Erin + Ingrid a great big happy anniversary!

—Sam

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

Ceremony + Reception Venue: Goodman Community Center, Ironworks Building

DJ: Kuhl Entertainment (Greg & Ace)

Catering: Goodman Community Center

 
 

Em + Sam: A Modern Wedding Celebration at Goodman Community Center

Em + Sam had a beautiful modern one year anniversary wedding celebration!

I’m not much of a “fate” sort of person, that is until I hear a meet-cute story like Emily + Sam’s! These two both went to UW - Eau Claire at the same time (same dorm even!) but never crossed paths. Flash forward to a Live on King Street concert many years ago, and the person standing in front of Sam at the concert had a GIANT bug land on them, and Sam snapped a pic of the giant bug (cuz giant bug) but didn’t think much of it until sometime later when he was swiping on Tinder, and a friend found someone who seemed like they’d be a good match based on interests, music taste, etc., and it turns out that Sam recognized Emily as a person who had been in the background of the giant bug photo from the concert (the bug had landed on one of Emily’s friends as it turned out) so Sam swiped right, and the rest is history!

While the wedding was originally planned for 2024, life got wild and it ended up getting rescheduled to 2025, but Em + Sam didn’t want to wait to be married, so they got married officially in March of 2024, and then planned this epic celebration for their friends and family for their one year anniversary!

The wedding celebration day was so fun, and filled with so many awesome details, like an album wall (great taste in music is right!), a tiny 3-tiered tower of cheese to use in place of cake for Emily’s part of the cake cutting (she doesn’t care much for cake, but what red-blooded Wisconsinite doesn’t like cheese?), to the live band (Em’s dad’s band, Sage!) that played during the reception! It was a joyful, modern, and laid back wedding day that rocked!

Help me wish Sam + Emily a BIG congrats, and enjoy the photos!

—Sam

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

Ceremony + Reception Venue: Goodman Community Center Brass Works Building

Officiant: Jeanie Weiss (friend)

Hair & Makeup: AB Onsite Beauty

Bridal Gown: David’s Bridal

Band: Sage

Florist: My Cotton Branch

Desserts: Susie Danielsen

Catering: Goodman Community Center

Wedding Coordinator: Dave Tatro with Goodman Community Center

 
 

Naomi + Brian: A Micro Wedding in Downtown Madison

These two had a beautiful and intimate micro wedding at the capitol building

And I’ve rarely seen two people happier to be getting married! Their excitement was contagious, and their guests (as well as the officiant and I) were so happy to be celebrating with them! It was also Brian’s birthday, which made the day even more special. :) The couple had a small, intimate ceremony on the 3rd floor of the Capitol Building and then headed to Eno Vino Downtown to celebrate! They shared super sweet stories about their early dating years (with mementos from that time to pass around to guests) and their small group of loved ones toasted to their happiness as the sun set over the Capitol Building! It was a wonderful and heartfelt celebration! Help me wish these two a BIG congratulations (and also wish Brian a happy belated birthday)!

—Sam

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

Ceremony Venue: Wisconsin State Capitol Building

Reception Venue: Eno Vino Downtown

Officiant: Judge Paul B. Higginbotham

Wedding Jewelry: Handmade by the Groom (including the Bride’s necklace & earrings)

 
 

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

 
 

Cali + Cezanne: A Dairy-Loving Wisconsin Wedding Celebration

Cali + Cezanne got married in early september but wanted a wisconsin-based celebration with their midwest family and friends

And what a celebration it was! First though, I have to tell you the cutest thing ever, which is that before Cali (she/her) + Cezanne (they/them) starting dating, they were colleagues at work and Cali was trying to set Cezanne up with a friend. Good news for everyone then that Cali’s matchmaking efforts backfired, and instead, these two ended up together, and the rest is history!

Now onto the celebration! The wedding celebration was held at Seven Acre Dairy Company, which was absolutely the perfect venue for the festivities! The Wisconsin-themed wedding day was filled with small details that felt so homey and magical, and just wait until you see the outfit changes Cali + Cezanne had!

I am so honored that I got to celebrate with these two! Please join me in wishing them a big congratulations!!! Also, help me wish happy 90th birthday to Cali’s grandfather, who recently turned 90 and was surprised with a cake during Cali + Cezanne’s wedding celebration!

—Sam

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

Ceremony + Reception Venue: Seven Acre Dairy Company

Hair & Makeup: Megan Steiner (childhood friend of the bride’s)

Wedding Rings: Wwake for metal bands, and blue band for Cezanne is from Nora Kogan

Bridal Gown: Della Curve Bridal

DJ/Band: Kuhl Entertainment, Greg Morrow

Florist: daffodil*parker

Desserts: Seven Acre Dairy Company

Catering: Seven Acre Dairy Company