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

 
 

Kyle + Zoie: Engagement Portraits at Tenney Park

Tenney Park had the perfect late fall vibes for zoie + kyle’s engagement portraits!

The couple lives within walking distance of Tenney Park braved the cold and windy weather for these sweet portraits! I love how the leaves being mostly gone lent a sort of spooky vibe to some of the photos, and how gorgeous the little lake is as a backdrop! Help me wish these two a big congratulations on their engagement!

—Sam

 
 

Fall Family Portraits on Monroe Street

Aoife (pronounced ee-fa) and her family had a lovely family portrait session on monroe street

The weather may have been blustery, but Aoife and her parents James & Sydney still had a great punking around Monroe Street, ending with some delicious ice cream at The Chocolate Shoppe! (Don’t tell Aoife, but I ended up getting Peppermint Twist instead of Chocolate once our session was over). Enjoy these sweet family photos!

—Sam

 
 

Fall Family Portraits with Fiona + Winnie

Fiona + Winnie’s family had a beautiful fall portrait session at Governor NElson State Park

The weather could not have been any more lovely for these two little ones and their family during their portrait session, and Winnie + Fiona enjoyed the heck out of what Governor Nelson State Park had to offer in terms of leaves, sand, and playground equipment while we were there! Enjoy the fun photos of this adorable family!

—Sam

 
 

Fall Family Portraits at Governor Nelson State Park

Governor Nelson State Park was extra gorgeous for these fun family portraits

The Fall colors have been elusive this season because of how warm it’s been, but we managed to find some for family photos of Erin + Dan and their three kids (young adults now, holy crap)! It was a gorgeous and fun day and despite the shenanigans, not a single teen died of embarrassment, so I’ll call it a win! It’s always so fun to photograph this wonderful family! Enjoy the photos!

—Sam

 
 

Fall Family Portraits at Pope Farm Conservancy

Pope Farm Conservancy is the perfect spot for fall family photos!

The golden hour sun, the leaves, the EAGLES, and this adorable family made for the perfect fall family portrait session! The kids had more than enough energy for walking around the park (and thankfully there was lots of room to run too), and it is always a pleasure to photograph this wonderful family!

—Sam

 
 

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

 
 

Fall Family Portraits at the UW Arboretum

It is always a joy to get to see clients whose weddings we’ve photographed again, especially when I get to meet the next generation!

Will is such a sweet kiddo, and it was a blessing to get to meet him and catch up with Catherine + John, whose wedding we photographed almost a decade ago! This little pumpkin wasn’t so sure about the camera at first, but look at the smile on him (and the extra skeptical side-eye too lol)! Congrats to this adorable little family!

—Sam