Non-Traditional Masculine Wedding Looks We Love

Want some non-traditional masc wedding style inspiration? We got you covered!

While we love all kinds of weddings, the offbeat and non-traditional have a very special place in our hearts. Below are some of our favorite non-traditional masculine wedding looks!

Playing it Cool

A classic in the realm of non-traditional wedding looks, we dig a casual beach kind of vibe wherever your ceremony may be! Go with shorts, or jacket free with a patterned shirt to give your wedding look a more casual and laid back vibe. Tie optional!

 
 
 
 

Offbeat Color Combos

Mint green dress pants or a green velvet jacket? Yes please! We love a classic dark grey or blue suit, but a great way to go for a non-traditional look is to change up those colors and get wild!

 
 
 
 

A Fresh Take on Classic Colors

Even classic colors have fresh appeal when used in complementary-colored outfits!

 
 
 
 

It’s All In The Details

Maybe you just want to do a little something fun and unexpected, or maybe you’re going with a classic look but your overall vibe is as non-traditional as it comes. Either way, little details make all the difference and whether it’s a badass tophat or a looser suit you wear with your favorite ear gauges, you’re sure to look great!

 
 
 
 

On Theme and On Point

Maybe you’re into a themed look! You can go as big as you want with wedding cosplay (Dr. Who anyone?) or do something like an alt-kilt theme with a badass mowhawk (one of the coolest hairstyles). Your wedding should be a reflection of who you (and your partner) are, so make sure your outfit and hairstyle feels like you!

 
 
 
 

Speaking of Cool Hairstyles…

No need to let the femme folks have all the hair fun! Whether it’s a gorgeous flower crown, or an elaborately braided updo, masculine presenting folks have so many non-traditional options for amazing hair on their wedding days!

 
 
 
 

Don’t let tradition stand in the way of being uniquely and wonderfully you on your wedding day!

Masculine presenting folks have some great options for getting a little wild and offbeat with their wedding day looks! Tell us any trends you love to see for masculine or groom wedding style in the comments!

—Sam

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

 
 

Grace's Willy Street Senior Portraits

Grace’s fun and colorful Senior Portraits were a blast!

I don’t do senior portraits often, but this session was so fun it’s making me hope that I end up doing more of them! Grace and her mom Erin and I walked along Willy Street, taking advantage of some of the gorgeous murals along the way, ending up on Lake Monona just before sunset! Lots of laughs, lots of trying not to fall in the lake, and lots of fun spinning at the end (why don’t I make people spin more? It’s great!)

Enjoy the photos and congrats to Grace on her upcoming senior year!

-Sam

 
 

Jordan's Bat Mizvah

A COMMUNITY COMING TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE A COMING OF AGE

For a non-religious person, I’ve always had a tender spot in my heart for B’Nai Mitzvahs. I think there is something so solid, supportive, and loving about a community coming together to celebrate a coming of age, and helping a young adult to understand not only their place in their community and in their faith, but how they contribute positively to the world at large. These events are always a highlight in my year and Jordan’s Bat Mitzvah was no exception.

Jordan celebrated with friends and family on August 20th and the party following the ceremony, held at the Hillel Foundation on the UW-Madison campus was a blast!

Congrats to Jordan and her family on such a joyous occasion!

-Sam

 
 

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

 
 

Joey's Nineties Country Music Singer Inspired Photos

When Joey, AKA DadJeans, asked me if I’d be up for memorializing his epic pandemic mullet in a surprise photo session for his wife wife, I was 100% in

Like many folks, Joey (who goes by the derby name DadJeans) grew a mullet out during the pandemic, and like many wives, his wife Erin was less than thrilled about the mullet. So when Joey finally decided it was time to give the mullet up, he also decided it was a great time to get epic nineties country music singer inspired photos taken as a surprise gift for Erin before he cut it all off for good. Hair styling by the wonderful Marie Hemming at Love + Light Hairdressing!

Enjoy, these super fun photos, and maybe put on some Travis Tritt or Randy Travis while you do. ;)

-Sam

 
 

Luci's Two Year Portraits at the UW Arboretum

Luci’s two year portraits were so fun!

Luci is an adorable kiddo, and had a great time running around the arboretum with her parents, Kris + Lesley! Kris warned me that Luci isn’t quick to warm up to people (not uncommon for kids her age who are pandemic babies), but after a few serious looks at the beginning of the session, Luci softened up and now we’re buds, so I can’t wait for the next set of family portraits for this super sweet family!

-Sam

 
 

River + Aaron: A Spring Time UW Arboretum Engagement Session

River and their partner Aaron were hoping for spring flowers, and the UW Arboretum delivered up pure spring time gorgeousness!

We played around in some of my favorite areas of the Arboretum, including the evergreen area, and by all the blooming trees and bushes closer to the visitor center, River + Aaron tied for Rock, Paper, Scissors, and we practiced some badass middle-school dance moves. All in all, a perfect engagement session on a perfect day!

Congrats to River + Aaron on their engagement!

-Sam

 
 

EQUIPMENT REVIEW: SIGMA 24MM F/1.4 ART LENS

EQUIPMENT INTRODUCTIONS WITH SAM

The Sigma 24mm f/1.4 Art Lens is an absolute dream. Now, if I had to pick one prime (non-zoom) lens for the rest of my life it would be the 35mm, but the 24mm is a very close second, in that, while not quite as versatile as the 35, it produces great results, and it’s a perfect lens for capturing the setting, not just the subject, which you’ll see in the example photos below. Without further ado, here’s a quick run down of why we love this lens!

Great For The Following:

  • Wedding photography where the size of the space you’re in is small (the getting ready portion of the day for instance)

  • Multi-Person or Large Group Portraits (including family formals)

  • Taking photos that showcase more of the setting around where you were shooting

  • Non-macro close-up shots (you can get fairly close to your subject with this lens)

  • Low light settings like wedding receptions

  • Street photography (it is PERFECT for street photography if that’s your jam)

Would Not Recommend For:

  • I wouldn’t recommend this as your only lens because with any wide angle lens, there can be some distortion if you’re trying to get more up close and personal shots

  • Macro shots (it’s just not a macro lens even though it has a closer focusing distance)

Overall, it’s an incredibly sharp lens at most distances (the very furthest distances are not necessarily tack sharp), that is versatile and gives a photojournalism feel to your photos by helping you showcase the setting of the images you’re taking.

Check out the images below, all taken by us on the Sigma 24mm f/1.4 Art lens, and if you’re so inclined, tell us what you love (or don’t) about the 24mm if you have one!

-Sam

Sami's Kink-Inspired Boudoir Session

When Sami said she wanted a boudoir session that channeled major femme top energy, I was 100% here for it.

And, of course, Sami delivered exactly the type of femme top energy this world needs.

Enjoy the photos, and if you want to book a session, channeling whatever type of energy you want more of in your life, hit me up!

-Sam