Kohler Wedding Ideas and Inspiration

With only 6 weeks to plan, Midwestern Bride joined forces with an all-star team of vendors to pull off a big-city design, creating the wedding of this bride and groom’s dreams. Just wait until you see the reaction to their reception first look, the bride literally fell to her knees in awe… that’s the kind of stuff we live for here at SMP. Oh, and we can’t help but mention the brides long sleeve Monique Lhuillier lace gown – I mean, talk about a knockout. To see all the steal-worthy details from their day, including living chandeliers made beautiful by Milwaukee Flower Company, don’t miss the full gallery captured by Sean Cook Wedding Photography.

From Midwestern Bride… As did so many events this year this wedding was canceled, postponed, and then surprisingly made to micro with only 6 weeks until “I do”. Even under massive time restraints and a much smaller guest list we decided to go big on style. Riverbend, a private mansion set alongside a large wildlife preserve, served as the most stunning backdrop to this NYC couples destination wedding. Riverbend used to be the Governors mansion and is now a boutique members only hotel so the couple rented it out in its entirety so that all the guests could stay under one roof the whole week.

When both the bride and groom work in fashion we knew the looks would be cutting edge and stunning but nothing could prepare us for the beauty of her off the shoulder royal inspired Monique Lhuillier gown and the groom dropped jaws in a custom Ralph Lauren and Gucci loafers. And that fashion carried through the entire week of wedding! Since family were coming from all over they treated as a true destination wedding with multiple days of festivities including a private Parisian dinner on the terrace and PGA golf outings. Pandemic forced them to cancel all the pre-wedding festivities earlier in the year so we stacked the week full of bachelorette/bachelor party, bridal shower, and more. The couple hadn’t even seen the brand new Straits Chapel and were actually the first couple ever hosted there and it did not disappoint.

Tucked and hidden in the trees alongside Lake Michigan it was perfection. The aisle was set with meadow boxes of wildflowers and lakefront backdrop. Matt and Katy were engaged in Nantucket so we thought it was important to keep that nautical theme throughout which we also brought into their compass crest seen on programs and menu cards. From 200 guests to just 32 we then moved the reception outdoors to a flower filled canvas Sperry tent that was absolutely glowing all night long. Guests were welcomed from cocktail hour to the tent as the brides father sabered a champagne bottle and the band boomed with vivacious energy.

Custom scents, luxurious draping, and stunning watercolor menus welcomed guests to their 5 course meal. And as guests settled in our dancing queen led her handsome groom to the sweetest first dance we’ve ever witnessed; it sure helps when your significant other is a professional dance instructor. As the night progressed guests settled in to curated French lounge spaces, a cigar stand near the gazebo, they enjoyed s’mores by campfire, and wandered the greenery maze and polo course.

After a quick disappearing act the bride re-entered the tent in another stunning sparkle clad gown as her bridesmaids set up her big entrance. Though we anticipated a quieter setting with a small guest count we were blown away with the energy of the crowd and hopping dance floor. With no sign of letting up we called guests out of the tent for some evening fresh air as they were surprised by bursts of fireworks let off over the nearby fields.

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Photography

Sean Cook Wedding Photography

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This is the kind of wedding that makes me fall in love with weddings all over again. Traditional in a way that will stand the test of time yet fresh and packed with personality, this gorgeous day captured by Carly McCray Photography will forever be beautiful. And there is even more proof here.

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From Carly McCray Photography… Anne & Tony live in Chicago and chose to have their early fall wedding in Wisconsin at the unique, incredibly romantic Lake Michigan setting of the Irish Barn at Whistling Straits golf course in Kohler, Wisconsin. It’s not what you think of when you think barn wedding…the Irish barn is actually a fieldstone barn built with the east side open to overlook Lake Michigan and Whistling Straits. It’s breathtaking to say the least, and sentimental to them as a couple, as it’s as it’s where they’d venture off to whenever they wanted to escape the pace of Chicago life.

As Anne told me in their initial inquiry with me, Whistling Straits is the perfect reflection of her and Tony’s personality and style. Tony is an outdoorsman who loves golf and anything wood (Anne’s words!), and Anne is more traditional and enjoys anything that is simply classic. They fell in love with Kohler when they visited on New Year’s Eve years ago, and have made visiting there a tradition every year around the holidays.

They wanted a celebration of their relationship that kept their family and friends close by all day, which Whistling Straits fit perfectly. Honoring their family and friends proved important to the couple…Tony continued the tradition of having his father as his best man, as his father did at his own wedding. Tony also honored his late mother by keeping a picture of both her and Anne inside his cuff links.

The ceremony took place on the terrace right outside the barn, underneath a canopy of hanging vines and overlooking the lake. The reception glowed from the Irish barn into the night, and lit up the sky under a full moon. Tony’s brother even performed an original song for the newlyweds! The entire day made for an elegant yet inviting setting for everyone to relax and enjoy.

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