Real Wedding

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

 
 

Liz + Nathanael: A Dreamy Offbeat Wedding At Lussier Family Heritage Center

who knew what one game of werewolf would lead to…

Liz + Nathanael met by chance while playing Werewolf at a gaming convention, and the rest is history! This amazingly sweet couple had a pinball machines for guests, beautiful origami cranes as favors (handmade by the bride’s brother), and true to their delightfully nerdy hearts, they even rolled for initiative with special D20s to see who was going to read their vows first!

We were overjoyed to celebrate with these two and their families, and please help us wish them a big congratulations! Enjoy the photos of their beautiful day!

—Sam

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

Ceremony + Reception Venue: Lussier Family Heritage Center

Officiant: James Swartout (friend of the couple)

Hair & Makeup: Soulful Artisan, Stephanie Jessup

Jewelry: Spalding Jewelry

Bridal Gown: Brides by Young

Groom Tux: Indochino

DJ: Kuhl Entertainment, Tauri Robinson

Florist: Sunborn Gardens

Desserts: The Baked Lab

Catering: Blue Plate Catering

Videographer: Dolister Films

Pinball Rentals: Craft Beer Pinball League

 
 

Daphne + Ben: A Beautiful Summer Wedding in Downtown Madison

Daphne + Ben capped off 8 years together with a beautiful summer wedding day!

These two high school sweethearts have been together for 8 years now, and picked the most gorgeous summer day to get married at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in downtown Madison, WI, and celebrated their reception at the Memorial Union Terrace!

I could feel the joy radiating off of Daphne + Ben during every part of their wedding day. It was an absolute honor to celebrate with them and their friends and family. Enjoy the photos of this gorgeous wedding day!

—Sam

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

Ceremony Venue: St. Patrick Catholic Church

Officiant: Father Andrew

Reception Venue: Memorial Union Terrace (Great Hall)

Desserts: Sweet Perfections Bakery

 
 

Amy + Anne: A Chic Downtown Sun Prairie Wedding

THese two enjoyed a beautiful summer wedding day in Sun Prairie!

Amy + Anne’s wedding day was one year to the day from their first kiss, and what a way to celebrate in style! They meticulously planned proposals to each other after picking out rings, but neither of them was able to wait until when they had planned, which just speaks to how excited Amy + Anne were to get going on spending the rest of their lives together!

Enjoy photos from this absolutely gorgeous queer wedding day!

—Sam

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

Ceremony + Reception Venue: The Loft at 132

Officiant: Stacey Christenson (friend of brides)

Hair & Makeup: Studio XIXI

Wedding Rings: Skalitzky Jewelers

Gown: Vow'd

Suit: Indochino

DJ/Band: Kuhl Entertainment / Tauri Robinson

Florist: Sun Prairie Flowers by Hen and Chick

Catering & Desserts: Chef Dave

 
 

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

 
 

Erica + Matt: An Intimate Wedding Day At Home

This beautifully intimate wedding day was the perfect way to ring in the new year

Erica + Matt chose to celebrate New Year’s Eve with a small, intimate wedding day with their closest family and friends, and their kiddo Yvonne. It was everything that is sweet and good about weddings that I love, and I’m particularly fond of weddings that are so true to the personalities of the couple! I’m so, so happy to have been able to celebrate with these two! Help me wish them a big congrats!

—Sam

 
 

Erin + Rachel In Their Gayest Performance Yet

Rachel + Erin had a introvert’s dream wedding

A not overwhelming number of people, board games, crafts, ice cream & cookies, a t-shirt toss instead of a first dance, chill vibes, etc., which is to say, it was a perfect day for these two! A friend even made Rachel (they/them) and Erin (she/they) the most amazing wedding day poster in the style of old cinemascope films that touted this wedding being their gayest performance yet, which is honestly the coolest thing I’ve ever seen (I would absolutely hang this poster at my house and I’m not even in it, that’s how awesome it is)!

This was our last wedding of the 2023 wedding season and I was thrilled to end on such a high note! Help me wish these two a big congratulations on getting gay married, and enjoy the photos!

—Sam

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

Ceremony + Reception Venue: Goodman Community Center

Officiant: Erin’s Mom

Hair Salon: Thorps

Wedding Bands & Rings: Jeweler’s Workshop

Rachel’s Dress: H&M

Dried Flower Arrangements: Moon Flower

Floral Centerpieces: Goodman Community Center TEENworks program

Desserts: Cookies by Bloom Bake Shop and Ice Cream from The Chocolate Shoppe

Catering: Goodman Community Center