DIY

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

 
 

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

 
 

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

 
 

Sara + Jared: A Colorful and Laid Back Tenney Park Wedding

Sara + Jared had a laid back wedding day at Tenney Park that was as colorful as it was joyful!

These two got legally married in Vegas (yes, by Elvis…. can you even get married in Vegas without Elvis officiating?) but wanted a celebration with friends and family back home, so for their 2.0 wedding day, they had good food and beautiful scenery at Tenney Park in Madison, WI.

Sara made all of the flower crowns you see in the photos (amazing, right?!) and you know how we feel about colorful wedding dresses and suits, so we were absolutely enthralled by how amazing these two looked in their wedding attire.

One of the things I loved most about Sara + Jared’s wedding day is that they chose to incorporate a Kintsugi unity ceremony (mending broken pottery with gold) to symbolize that sometimes life brings us obstacles, but they can make you even stronger, and that these two are even stronger together. It was a beautiful way to cement (see what I did there?) their commitment to each other no matter what life throws their way.

Help us wish these two a big congratulations, and if you want more photos of these two cool cats, check out their engagement photos here!

-Sam

Here are the vendors that helped make their day awesome!

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Tenney Park

Bridal Gown: Chontronette

Groom Suit: Hockerty

Flower Crowns: DIY

Catering: Sal’s Tomato Pies

Dessert: Bloom Bake Shop

Table and Chair Rental: Bucky’s Rental

 
 

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

 
 

Terry + Leah: A Madison Children's Museum Wedding

TerryLeahWeddingPartIIBlog-1006.jpg

Terry + Leah were married in March of 2021, but wanted to throw a bigger celebration once more people were vaccinated, so enter wedding celebration number two!

Wedding number two was just as fun as wedding number one, but with more guests and surrounded by the whimsical beauty of the Madison Children’s Museum! Check out wedding Part One here!

These two were the first couple to have a wedding ceremony on the new Wonderground structure at the Children’s Museum. Their sunset ceremony was absolute perfection!

Help me wish a BIG congratulations to Terry + Leah, and enjoy the photos!

-Sam

Here are the vendors (with links) that helped make Terry + Leah’s wedding celebration awesome!

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Madison Children’s Museum

Officiant: Eldonna Hazen, First Congregational UCC

DJ: Vital Image

Videographer: Steve Donovan

Terry’s Wedding Gown: David’s Bridal

Leah’s Wedding Suit: Indochino

Bridal Accessories: Dress My Wedding, LLC

Wedding Rings: Jeweler's Workshop

Hair Stylist: Serena Hesse, Serena's Hair Now

Dessert Bars: The Roman Candle

Catering: Banzo

 
 

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

OliviaJimBlog-1030.jpg

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

 
 

Erin + Matt: A Halloween Micro Wedding

ErinMattWedding-1539.jpg

Mad Scientist Meets Library Science at this Halloween Micro Wedding

Erin + Matt had originally planned for a much larger wedding at the Madison Central Library downtown, but like so many weddings planned for this year, COVID-19 had other ideas.

Instead, these two shifted gears to plan the sweetest Halloween micro wedding ever, with safety for their guests & vendors being top of mind. I LOVE the mad scientist meets library science decor they went with, and how they had 100+ guests join them via Zoom to share in the celebrations!

Enjoy these photos of Erin + Matt’s awesome wedding day, and check out their engagement session here.

- Sam

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

Ceremony & Reception Venue: AirBnB (John George Ott House)

Officiant: Janelle Greene (friend of the couple)

Wedding Coordinator: Lauren Schaefer, The Get Together Events Co.

Wedding Gown: Vera's Bridal & Monetti Tailoring

Groom’s Tux: The Black Tux

Bride's Engagement Ring: TQ Diamonds

Bride's Wedding Ring: Maksimoff Designs (Etsy)

Groom's Wedding Ring: Middleton Jewelers

Bride’s Hair & Makeup: Breanna D, JV Hair Artistry

Venue Decor, Wedding Party Flowers, and Flower Crowns: Daffodil*Parker

Wood Flowers for DIY Bridal Bouquet and Groom Boutonniere: Sola Wood Flowers (assembled and arranged by the Bride)

Wedding Cake: The Looking Glass Bakery

Catering: Adamah Catering

Placecards: JDCraftStudio (Etsy)

Paper goods (invite & postponement): Minted.com

Paper goods (save the date bookmarks): designed by bride

 
2020-11-24_0001.jpg
2020-11-24_0017.jpg
ErinMattWeddingBlog-1008.jpg
2020-11-24_0018.jpg
2020-11-24_0020.jpg
2020-11-24_0021.jpg
2020-11-24_0011.jpg
ErinMattWeddingBlog-1056.jpg
ErinMattWeddingBlog-1068.jpg
2020-11-24_0003.jpg
 

6 Reasons You Should Have a Micro Wedding

HeatherMikeBlog-1017.jpg

We loved micro weddings before they were cool

First of all, what are micro weddings exactly? A micro wedding is typically a wedding that is 20 guests or under.

Second of all, this post is not for you if you have spent your entire adult life, or at least your entire engagement, dreaming of throwing a giant celebratory wedding day bash with every single one of your family, friends, and casual acquaintances in tow. If that sounds like you, there’s no judgment here! We love big parties too! In fact, while my first wedding was a micro wedding, Rob and I had a reception that was so large we literally invited our three favorite clerks from our local Blockbuster Video (and they came!), which means that not only are we old AF, but that we can enjoy a big get together and the fun photo opportunities they provide as much as the next person!

That said, this post is for you if you’re a couple that cringes at the idea of a big to-do, or the idea of being the center of attention in a large crowd. This post is for couples who want to do something special to celebrate their union, but aren’t necessarily looking for the traditional trappings of a wedding day, like first dances, endless speeches and glass clinking, or big crowds. Read on to hear about 6 reasons that micro weddings are the bomb (is that still a cool thing to say?), and why you should totally consider one!

Reason #1 - Less Stressful

Even as a person who loves weddings, I can acknowledge that wedding planning is stressful as hell. There are so many moving parts, that unless you hire a wedding planner (and there are some amazing ones we can recommend), you’re looking at basically a second full-time job just to get your wedding planned and off the ground. Having a micro wedding involves considerably less (though still some) planning, and is therefore considerably less stressful!

Reason #2 - Less Planning Time

With less to plan, you can pull together your dream tiny wedding in much less time than it takes to pull together a larger gathering. That means if you want to be married in two weeks, you can make it happen! Just make sure the vendors that are important to you (such as photographers, officiant, etc.) are available for your preferred date.

Reason #3 - Less Costly

Less guests = less costly. It’s just basic math. When planning a micro wedding, even if you get pretty darn fancy about it, and even if you’re providing food (which is optional), you’re still feeding and providing refreshments for far fewer people than a traditional wedding. In addition, because of the smaller guest list, you open up a world of possibilities for venues or locations. Being able to get more creative with where your wedding is held (due to the smaller guest list) allows you to often pay much less, or potentially nothing at all, for your wedding venue, and that’s a win for your pocketbooks! Also maybe more money left over for a honeymoon or for other wedding-related things you’d like to splurge on!

Reason #4 - More Flexible

If you are planning a 120 person wedding outdoors, you are going to need a backup plan in case of inclement weather, and having access to such a backup plan that accommodates that many people is often expensive and also maybe not the experience you were hoping for. When you’re having a micro wedding, where your guest count is 20 guests or under, you have a lot more flexibility when it comes to things like inclement weather and rain day backup plans! You also have more flexibility to do things like have a weekday wedding, because there are less guests to plan around, and that can also help you save some money with some of your vendors who may offer discounts for weekday weddings, versus weekend weddings (not applicable to all vendors of course).

Reason #5 - More Time With Your Guests

Speaking of your guests, one of the biggest regrets I had from both my weddings, and one of the biggest regrets I hear from our couples, is that they feel they didn’t have enough time to spend with each of their guests, because there were so many and because the day goes by so fast! Well, micro weddings don’t necessarily make the day go by any slower, but what they do give you is the gift of more intimate and undivided time with your closest family and friends. The people who matter most to you in the entire world. Being able to spend more quality time with these special people on your wedding day is an absolute gift, and it’s one of the most amazing and joyful things about having a micro wedding.

Reason #6 - More ‘You’

The larger the wedding, frankly, the harder it seems to be to make it exactly what you want, and to make the day reflect who you are as individuals and who you are as a couple. That doesn’t mean big weddings can’t be unique and awesome, it just means you have to try pretty hard to make them so, and that it’ll likely add to your wedding day expense to do so. When you have a micro wedding, you’re stripping the wedding day down to its most important components; the two of you and your love for one another, and your absolutely closest friends and family. The day automatically becomes more ‘you’ in doing so, and you have a wonderful opportunity to go all out on small details if those are important to you, because you’re going all out for yourselves and a handful of people, versus a ballroom full of people. This is truly a gift!



So if you love the idea of a micro wedding but are on the fence, consider these reasons why you should totally, positively, absolutely go for it! We also offer special elopement and micro wedding packages to meet your needs and we absolutely adore micro weddings! Get in touch if you’d like to talk about options, and also check out this gallery of Micro weddings for inspiration!



-Sam











Sam + Joe: A Nature-Filled Madison Micro Wedding

SamJoeBlog-1009.jpg

While Sam + Joe originally planned on getting married in Colorado, COVID pushed them to have a small but mighty beautiful Madison wedding ceremony in 2020, with a Colorado celebration to come in 2021!

Colorado holds a special place in the story of Sam + Joe’s relationship, as it was the first place they said “I love you”. While I can’t wait to be able to help them celebrate their union there in 2021, I am also thrilled to have been able to help them capture their 2020 wedding here in Madison.

The UW Arboretum, Willy Street, Lake Monona, and Olbrich Gardens are some of Sam + Joe’s favorite nature-y spots in Madison (yes, I know nature-y isn’t a word) and we stopped at all of them on Sam + Joe’s wedding day for photos and fun.

I love all the little details that these two worked into their wedding day, including a reference to the mountain goat who was making obnoxiously loud noises during that first “I love you” in Colorado, a tie pin with Sam’s handwriting on it, bracelets with their important relationship dates, the DIY jewelry that Sam made for herself and the bridesmaids, and a whole host of other special little ways to celebrate. Sam + Joe even got me a pin shaped like a roll of film as a thank you (which led to me needing to explain to my 12 year old what film is, and now feeling old, but at least old with a cool pin).

Help me wish Sam + Joe a hearty congratulations friends, and stay tuned for part two next year!

-Sam


Here are the wedding vendors (with links) that helped Sam + Joe make their micro Madison wedding gorgeous!

Ceremony Venue: Olbrich Park

Reception Venue: Vintage Brewing Company Whitney Way

Officiant: Teresa Chrismore

Bridal Gown: Torrid (with alterations by Bride’s mom & sister)

Groom’s Suit: Men’s Wearhouse

Bridesmaid Dresses: ModCloth

Wedding Bands: TQ Diamonds (Bride’s Rings by Verragio, Groom’s band by Dora)

Other Wedding Jewelry: DIY by Bride

Bride Hair Stylist: Aniu Salon in Middleton

Groom Hair Stylist: Freya at Blue Chip Barber Club

Florist: Naly’s Floral Shop

Wedding Cake: Craig’s Cake Shop

 
SamJoeBlog-1014.jpg
SamJoeBlog-1026.jpg
SamJoeBlog-1028.jpg
SamJoeBlog-1050.jpg
 



Bailey + Mason: A Romantic Orpheum Theater Wedding

BaileyMasonBlog-1075.jpg

Bailey + Mason had a romantic as hell wedding at the orpheum in madison, wi

When asked to tell a little story that gave me a glimpse into what their love was all about, Bailey said frankly that she was reminded Mason was the one every time he put up with her puns (and vice versa) and I think that says a lot about how much these two value having a good time together (and a good laugh because puns are hilarious)!

Hanging out with the Bailey’s side of the wedding party during the getting ready portion of the day was nothing short of magical! We sang along to Toto’s Africa (as one does) and just generally had a ball. When it was time for the first look, Bailey made her entrance via that awesome staircase in Orpheum’s grand lobby, and then we were off for some fun rainbow colored wedding party photos, including a guest appearance from Woodford, their Chow/Lab mix!

The ceremony was gorgeous (I’m gonna be honest, I wasn’t sure how hard lighting would be in the balcony of the Orpheum, but it was pretty sweet and if any of you are considering getting married, there, you should do it!) and the reception was fun and funny and filled with joy; All the things a wedding reception should be, including some pretty hilarious toast pranks!

Enjoy the photos of these two, and join me in wishing a big congratulations to Bailey + Mason!

- Sam

Here are the vendors (with links) that helped make their day A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

Ceremony + Reception Venue: The Orpheum

Officiant: Casey Keyes (bride’s cousin)

Bridal Gown: Vera’s House of Bridals

Groom’s Suit (and all wedding party suits): Generation Tux

Wedding Jewelry: Luo Jewelry

Hair Stylist: ANiU Salon and Spa

Makeup: DIY by the Bride!

Florals: DIY

Event Coordinator: Sarah Davidson with Harmonious Union Events

Wedding Cake + Desserts: Bloom Bake Shop (2 small cakes) and Costco (sheet cake)

Catering: Blue Plate Catering

 
2019-08-26_0002.jpg
BaileyMasonBlog-1033.jpg
2019-08-26_0007.jpg
BaileyMasonBlog-1062.jpg
2019-08-26_0008.jpg
BaileyMasonBlog-1063.jpg
2019-08-26_0011.jpg