Jennifer + George: An Intimate Wedding in the Olbrich Conservatory

Jen + George’s colorful, intimate ceremony was stunning!

And it was also giving major unicorn vibes thanks to the colorful outfits of the couple and their friends and family!

I love small, intimate ceremonies, and this one was so sweet and lovely with such attention to detail! Help me wish these two a hearty congratulations! We are so honored to have been able to celebrate with them!

—Sam

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

Ceremony Venue: Olbrich Conservatory

Officiant: Christopher Kalscheur

Wedding Jewelry: Black Diamonds of New York

Bridal Gown: Fairy Tongs

Florist: My Dinosaur Dreams

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

Terri + Megan: An Intimate and Joyful Queer Wedding Celebration

Believe it or not, These two had not one but two failed proposal attempts

Megan (they/them) had planned to propose to Terri (she/her) on a gorgeous waterfall hike in Iceland, but COVID ruined those plans, and then less than two months later, Terri planned to propose to Megan at Disney World, but plans were thwarted by a hurricane! After all the plans gone awry, they both proposed to each other sweetly tucked away in their house and then began work on planning a small, intimate celebration in September!

Their wedding day was filled with personal touches, most importantly a beautiful memorial to family members who have passed, including Megan’s brother, and Terri’s father. Other personal touches include their dogs, Lars and Apollo walking each of them down the aisle. Megan gave Terri a beautiful gold bracelet that contained a locket with pictures of Terri’s dad. Terri gave Megan gorgeous custom cufflinks with their various furry friends’ faces. Megan made Terri’s bouquet and their own boutonniere out of pages from their favorite book! (The book is House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune, which is one of my favorite books also!) Megan’s dad wore a tie Megan colored for them back in 1994 and he also made the s’more flavored wedding cake (which was delicious)! Megan + Terri had custom cocktails made for the celebration, and for their wedding favors? They hand-picked different books for each of their guests and wrote a person inscription in all of them.

It was a beautiful and deeply personal wedding day with so much love, laughter, and joy. I am so, so grateful to have been able to celebrate with these two and their family and closest friends! Help me with them a big congratulations!

—Sam

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

Ceremony + Reception Venue: Air BnB

Hair Stylist: Union Hair Parlor

Bridal Jumpsuit: Strike Bridal Bar

Mx. Suit: Bindle & Keep

Custom Cocktails: Mint Mark

Drea + Doug: A Pokemon-Themed Wedding at the Bur Oak

Drea + Doug had a perfect mix of fancy and laid back for their wedding day!

With lots of DIY touches and fun ideas (like the Table Dash, which was a blast), as well as all the Pokemon references you never knew you needed from a wedding, these two put together an amazing shindig!

After 10 years together, they wanted their celebration to be distinctly them, and for their closest friends and family to be able to party with them in style. The Bur Oak was a wonderful backdrop for their big day, and I loved seeing all the laughing and shenanigans (that’s how you know it’s good party)!

Help me wish these two a great big congratulations, and I am so excited I got to celebrate with these two!

—Sam

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

Ceremony + Reception Venue: The Bur Oak

Catering: Beef Butter BBQ

Wedding Coordinator: Ashley with The Bur Oak

Elly + Kevin: A Chilly Golden Hour Elopement Session

Elly + Kevin got married in a tiny ceremony on October 30th

But unfortunately I was out of commission due to a surprise gallbladder removal (not the kind of surprise I’d typically want, but I’m all better now). We decided to do elopement portraits to celebrate their wedding once I was all healed up, and we visited both Lake Farm Park and the Lussier Family Heritage Center for their portraits. It was SOOOOO chilly but Elly + Kevin were troopers and we got some super fun and awesome photos and we got back into cars before anyone’s nose fell off, which I’m counting as a win.

Help me wish Elly + Kevin a big congrats, and enjoy the photos!

—Sam

Katie + Erin: A Big Gay Camp Wedding in Door County

Katie + Erin planned a gorgeous Fall wedding day at Peninsula State Park in Door County

Katie told me that she and Erin spent one of their first dates hiking, and their first trip together was a rain-soaked camping trip in, you guessed it, Door County. These two love the outdoors, and as a family (with Erin’s daughter Evey), they spend as much time outdoors as they can. So when it came to planning their wedding day, they knew they wanted the picturesque backdrop of Door County’s Peninsula State Park!

With a wedding hashtag like #biggaycampwedding you know you’re going to have a great time, and I absolutely did. It was a joy-filled day and Erin + Katie worked in so many special touches. Their vows were made not only to each other, but also to Evey (as every blended family should consider doing), which was the most precious moment of the day and reminded me of my own wedding, where my son walked me down the aisle, just like Erin’s daughter, wearing a badass suit just like her mom, walked Erin down the aisle.

We not only got to enjoy the beautiful weather the weekend had in store, but also got to punk around Peninsula State Park for photo opportunities, including the spooky Pioneer Cemetery after sunset, which was awesome, just like everything else about Erin + Katie’s wedding day!

Help me wish these two brides a very hearty congratulations, and enjoy the photos!

—Sam

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

Ceremony + Reception Venue: Weborg Point Shelter - Peninsula State Park

Officiant: Nik Shier

Hair Stylist: Revel Salon

Wedding Rings/Bands: Bride Band - Blazer Arts on Etsy and Bride Ring - Moonkist Designs, LLC

Bridal Suits: Bindle and Keep

Bridal Bow Tie (Erin): Jack and Miles

Florist: Bee Enchanted Florist

Desserts: Morgan the Pie Lady

Catering: The Wild Tomato

Table/Chair Rental: Stoughton Lumber Rentals

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

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

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

Abby + Matt: A Gorgeous Rooftop Wedding at MMoCA

Abby + Matt’s wedding was vibrant and filled with joy!

And the views of the Capitol building and the Orpheum on the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA) in the heart of Downtown Madison didn’t hurt either. ;)

Their wedding day theme was world-building, with the colors of the sea and sky worked into the details of their wedding day. Abby’s bouquet was made of paper flowers which were in turn made out of pages of The Hobbit (no one knows more about world-building than Tolkein), and instead of a unity candle, they symbolized their union with two adorable little birds making a nest together.

Help me wish Abby + Matt a hearty congrats, and enjoy all the lovely details and big moments from their wedding day!

-Sam

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

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA)

Officiant: Dana Pellebon (friend of Bride & Groom)

Bridal Gown: Vera’s House of Bridals

Hair & Makeup: Where it's At Studio (Bride’s hair) & Brideheads for other Hair & Makeup

Wedding Jewelry: Jeweler's Workshop

Paper Bouquet & Boutonniere: Made by a friend

Florals: DIY

DJ: John Frerick (DJ Senseless)

Catering: Fresco

Wedding Desserts: Batch Bakehouse

Rentals: Projector from Game Crafter

Rachael + Sam: A Madison Lakeside Park Wedding

On a beautiful and windy Spring day in Burrows Park, Rachael + Sam said “I Do”

I love small and intimate weddings, and Racheal + Sam’s wedding day was just that. Small, intimate, and full of life and love. As most wedding days do, it started off a little stressful, but everything came together by the main event, which of course was the wedding vows!

Rachael + Sam had a wonderfully short and sweet wedding ceremony (where Rachael was holding their youngest) and then were able to relax and celebrate with their closest friends and family and enjoy the weather! Just what a wedding day should be!

Help me with Rachael + Sam a big congrats, and enjoy the wedding photos!

-Sam