Milwaukee Wedding Ideas and Inspiration

Clean Lines and Playful Texture Take Center Stage at This Midwestern Affair

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[field title=”Wedding Colors”]A fresh palette of Black, White, Champagne, Gold & a touch of dove grey[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]Modern Romantic Garden Party. Clean lines, fun graphics & patterns, but the soft edges from the floral and linen choices. Lighting was such an important element as well to warm up such a modern space. They had not one but TWO statement chandelier moments. One over the head table & one over the incredible dancing area.
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[field title=”Proposal Story”]From the bride –
Jared proposed on June 24, 2022 in Chicago. It was a perfect summer day and I was planning to go to dinner with a few of my girl friends at a new spot in Lincoln Park. On the way to dinner with my friends, they suggested we get a drink somewhere nearby first. We arrived at CSK, a place I’d never been but look super cute online. Once we got there, I entered the patio to see Jared with a beautifully romantic set up of candles, twinkly lights, and flowers and nobody else. He proposed here and when we entered CSK, all of our friends and family were there to celebrate. He had rented out the entire bar/restaurant so we could have an amazing engagement party there that same night. There were photos of us at our favorite moments and he catered our favorite local spot, the Athenian room. People had flown from around the country. It was so special and I felt so loved. It was so perfect and something I’ll never forget. I had never been so surprised in my life and it was so clear how much effort he put into this moment. [/field]
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[field title=”Wedding Gown”]My ceremony gown was by Lihi Hodd and from Alice and Ivory. My reception dress was from Dmitras Bridal.[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]Bridesmaid dresses from Bhldn and groomsmen looks from the Black Tux.
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[field title=”Food & Drink”]Special Cocktails: Hers Spicy Margarita, His Old Fashion in honor of WI Traditions.
Passed Apps: Tuna Tartare, Grilled Cheese, little Italy, artichoke croustillant, chicken satay, crispy polenta, panko shrimp
Charcuterie Board Display

Cake – Champagne cake with raspberry & vanilla filling + cream cheese frosting[/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]The ceremony was our first impression WOW moment to guests. Greeted with champagne & live musicians and then escorted to their seats that overlooked stunning Lake Michigan with a floral adorned acrylic chuppah to add a modern edge to a beautiful tradition. [/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]Greige Milwaukee – a stunning all-white cake that was the centerpiece of the reception room. The cake shots are some of our favorites [/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]I walked down the aisle to Halo by Beyonce (she’s my favorite). The processional was to sky full of stars. Recessional wake me up by avicci. Officiated by Jared’s close friend Zach.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]From the bride –

I really wanted this wedding to feel timeless and elegant. But personal and warm at the same time and I think we perfectly nailed that! I wanted guests to have fun and feel the love just as much as Jared and I did that day. We’re huge foodies so having tons of food (and cheese) was important to us! Some special moments during our day was reading letters from each other earlier in the day prior to our first look. This really made me emotional and even more excited. It was nice to be able to check in via these letters. Our first look was extremely special to me as well. That private moment he even shed a few tears – something he never does. Getting ready with my bridesmaids was also such a blast. My co-maid of honor Nicole made an awesome playlist of all our favorite throwback songs. It was an amazing and calm start to the day being with my best friends. I also loved my first look with my dad. He’s normally not a very emotional guy, and during this he was overcome with emotion. For our wedding, I had gifted him a handkerchief with my grandmas handwriting on it as she had recently passed, and this had to come out at this moment. It was just a very sweet moment.

This wedding really was everything I had dreamed of. Seeing all my friends and family in one place, celebrating with them in our hometown, and marrying my best friend was more than I could have ever asked for!
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[field title=”Special Detail #2″]From the planner – Every element built upon each other. The linens inspired the graphics for the invitation & paper products which inspired the dance floor & bar graphics to the chandelier moment above the head table. Everything was custom created & designed special for C&J.
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Bluewater Kings Band

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Jessica Bedore Photography

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The Epitome of an English Garden Wedding Come to Life

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[field title=”Wedding Colors”]Different hues of blue mixed with floral patterns. From the bride, “While planning my wedding, I struggled to find a color that stood out to me, so I started out by finding a linen pattern that could be used as an accent and went from there. I ended up finding a light pink floral that created an entire vision for the day and was supported by blue dresses by my bridesmaids.”[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]The bride had a vision for an English garden wedding and she delivered! Their day was overflowing with gorgeous blooms and had an elevated elegance to it. We loved all the personal touches like the airplane place cards, which were a nod to her time in the Air Force. [/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]From the bride…”The proposal was in true “Collin Fashion!” He got the ring from Kesslers in Wisconsin and had the ring shipped down to Orlando, FL… where we were living at the time! He tracked the Delivery Truck throughout Orlando because he was worried that he was going to miss the delivery. That night, he suggested we go out to Sushi (which was abnormal!) and he was absolutely beaming with excitement. Nothing happened that night but it was so cute. That weekend, we were waking up slowly on Saturday reminiscing and taking some special time together. It was that moment he reached into his nightstand and pulled out the ring and asked me to marry him. Nothing fancy, no one surrounding us, just a special & calm moment between the two of us! The rest of the day we celebrated at our two favorite restaurants in Orlando!”[/field]
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[field title=”Wedding Gown”]Bride: “I had a vision for my dress and was so thankful that I found exactly what I was looking for. I found a beautiful gown from the designer Pronovios, with floral appliqué on the sleeves and back of the dress. Coupled with a veil and a large bow, I followed the same details from my Mother’s wedding dress. With both parents have passed, having details from their wedding and marriage was most special to me. When my mom went shopping, my dad told her “I don’t care what you wear but it must have a bow!” … And as I tried on the wedding dress, my mom and I’s favorite song came on (Ain’t no mountain high enough) and that later because my siblings dance song, in place of the traditional father daughter dance.”[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]The bride let her maids select dresses from all over. The result was a mixed palette of blues and different floral patterns. It was gorgeous! [/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]The Black Tux – classic black tuxedos![/field]
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[field title=”Food & Drink”]A traditional dinner was served but we served my husband and I’s favorite food – Hand-tossed wings and Chips/Salsa for appetizers![/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]Clean whites with greenery – farmhouse chairs and warm wood tones made the space feel homey!

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[field title=”Wedding Cake”]A gorgeous pink cake tied with a big accent bow to accent the bride’s wedding dress. [/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]Unsure[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]Since I served in the Air Force, we wanted to remember how that challenged and built our relationship stronger so we made our Escort Board with paper planes.
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[field title=”Special Detail #2″]Lots of angels were in the presence of our wedding (Including my parents) so we had all guest lit a candle during dinner to remember them![/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″]Dueling Pianos for cocktail hour (supposed to be at welcome drinks but was canceled due to weather).[/field]
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Jessica Bedore Photography

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You’ll Love The Bride’s Artful Butterfly Print Dress At This Milwaukee Art Museum Wedding

One look at our bride’s floral and butterfly print Monique Lhuillier wedding dress, and you’ll agree that it’s just as beautiful a work of art as anything hanging in the Milwaukee Art Museum – the couple’s venue! B Signature planned the spring garden-inspired day, filled with flowers by Nancy Chase Arrangements. She even used the exact flowers pictured on the bride’s dress in different setups throughout the day! You’ll fawn over every fabulous image perfectly captured by Clary Pfeiffer Photography, see them all in the full gallery.

From the bride… Eddie and I knew each other in grade school, he was just a year older than me. My older brother and Eddie would play cards in high school and in college when we were home on break, we’d run into each other since we had many mutual friends. It wasn’t until we both moved back from our respective schools, that we ran into each other yet again and upon being reintroduced by a mutual friend, we serendipitously said the exact same thing at the exact same time, “Oh, we know each other”. Eddie later asked for my number and in the months and years following we ate and drank our way through Milwaukee. On April 4, 2020, after six years of dating, Eddie decided to pop the question. He had tried to plan a party with our immediate family and closest friends to celebrate but the world had different plans. Throughout 2020 and into 2021, our wedding was something to look forward to when everything felt heavy and isolating like the first spring day after a long winter.

Over the past six years, Eddie and my summers consisted of a string of weddings. By the time we finally said our “I do’s” we had attended over 30 weddings together, so I knew I wanted our wedding to be in “off-season”. Eddie was the one to pick our date, March 12, 2022. I later found out he chose this because 312 is Chicago’s area code where we were both born and where some of our most memorable memories were made together. An early spring wedding is risky in Milwaukee because it could be 60 degrees and sunny or -18 with a snowstorm. We got a little bit of both with a beautiful, cold sunny day.

The date was set now it was time to dress shop. I tried on beautiful traditional gowns that could’ve fit the bill, but nothing felt like me, so the hunt continued. Constance, at Gigi MKE Boutique, put me in this gorgeous Monique Lhuillier gown and I knew this was it. The train, the print, the sleeves. It was perfect. Eddie and I took a road trip around Colorado in a 95 Volkswagen euro camper van named Mariposa (meaning ‘butterfly’ in Spanish) back in 2018. It was our favorite trip together and the trip where we knew each other was the one so having butterflies covering my dress made it that much more special. No one would expect it and that’s exactly what I was looking for. This gown is a piece of art so I found it fitting to get married at the iconic Milwaukee Art Museum. The hardest part was keeping the dress a secret for two years! This dress didn’t call for a veil, so I opted for a beautiful custom hair piece and custom earrings to match that Constance handpicked and sourced for me from the designer, Paris by Debra Moreland. I found the most gorgeous shoes from Christian Louboutin that resembled ballet slippers; a nostalgic piece for me since I danced as a little girl. I was gifted a beautiful ring at my bridal shower from my mom to wear as my “something blue”. It was a sapphire ring adorned with diamonds from the earrings my dad had given her on the day I was born. The look wasn’t complete without my mom’s diamond bracelet that every woman in our immediate and extended family has worn on their wedding day. I felt like an absolute princess.

We worked with Eddie’s aunt Nancy of Nancy Chase Arrangements and truly this day wouldn’t have been possible without her. She was instrumental in making our day what it was: a masterpiece. I wanted people to enter the Art Museum and feel like it was an exhibit that teleported them to a different time and place no matter what the weather would be like outside. With the help of her, her team, and her network of colleagues, Bridget Monihan of B Signature planning, and Dave Kelly from Frost Chicago, they created a spring garden experience when it was only 10 degrees outside. From the trellis pillars that set the stage for the ceremony to the gorgeous grand bar at the reception, everything was done with intention. Nancy took the details from my dress and incorporated the exact flowers in different areas of the day. We wanted our reception to feel intimate and cozy even though there were 250 guests. The Milwaukee Art Museum is an architectural art piece in of itself, but the stark white and high ceiling can be tricky to make feel warm. It was no small feat, but our team pulled it off. I personally loved our table settings where we used a white opaque wine glass for water and vintage-inspired glassware for the wine. Bayview Printing Company, a women-owned, 100-year-old printing press company, beautifully executed our paper needs with pure elegance.

Eddie is a fourth-generation chocolatier, so we knew we wanted Burke Candy as dessert on our special day since we aren’t big cake people. However, we wanted a “cake cutting” moment so in lieu of cake we had a champagne tower; what’s better than chocolate and champagne?!
We had a short and sweet ceremony where we exchanged our own vows followed by a lovely cocktail hour and the night commenced with an electric dance floor thanks to our band Ron Bedal Orchestra who had everyone moving and grooving from the start. He convinced us to do a dance set in between the salad and main dinner course and it is one of my favorite memories. Eddie and I took that time as our moment to stop, stand back and enjoy watching everyone have a great time. We concluded the night with Kopp’s Frozen Custard burgers and fries. It was just by chance that the custard flavor of the day was “Wedding Cake”, so one of Bridget’s team members decided to surprise us with a pint to share! Eddie and I shared a few decadent bites before heading back to the dance floor.

Our day was a dream. And after a long two-year engagement and “social winter” of sorts, we were overjoyed to be able to celebrate with our large families and our friends who are family to us. We are honored to have Clary Pfeiffer Photography and Hunter Floydfilms document our day and all its details.

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BBJ La Tavola

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Here’s Why an Intimate Wedding Size Allows For Every Guest to Feel Spoiled!

“Whether planning and designing for 10 guests or 50, the goal is to leave guests feeling spoiled with thoughtfulness, love, and sharing together. No detail goes unnoticed. No experience is lost, and each guest is impeccably cared for, no matter who they are“… we couldn’t agree more, Krissy! With COVID restrictions still being a major factor in 2021 weddings, it’s important to remember the positives. Intimate weddings are a great way to have every one of your VIP’s feel the most special. With personalized details to creative seating arrangements – the options are truly endless. Head on over to the full gallery from today’s Villa Terrace shoot to get inspired, all take by Clary Pfeiffer Photography!

From Krissy Campbell… During this post-COVID lull in international travel, we’ve seeing couples searching for the perfect space for an intimate wedding while a destination celebration in Europe or otherwise is on hold. In response, we’ve begun the search stateside for the European-inspired timeless style and glamour that these sophisticated and thoughtful couples have hoped for in a wedding venue. In the process, we’ve discovered gems like the Villa Terrace that still give post-pandemic weddings a fresh take on the luxury, high-end experience. Based along the sparkling midwestern lakeshore of Wisconsin, the Villa, named Sopra Mare, or “above the sea” in Italian, transports guests to a new kind of destination celebration. One look through this stunning space and you’re lost in the Italian Renaissance era and Mediterranean countryside right amid the urban-based Terrace Avenue. “It […] points away from the street, turning inward to its courtyard, terrace, and garden. It speaks of intimacy, subdued elegance and domesticity quite unlike anything else along Terrace Avenue,” said the Friends of Villa Terrace.

Staring into the Renaissance Gardens from the Terrazzo Della Luna (Terrace of the Moon), this location begs to tell the story of a couple with love for travel and culture. A couple who desires to reflect their connection to the natural and European architecture while inspiring their wedding guests to discover for themselves perspectives and stories beyond their own – “to see from someone else’s window”…to celebrate places and people that may surprise, challenge and inspire. Whether planning and designing for 10 guests or 50, the goal is to leave guests feeling “spoiled” with thoughtfulness, love, and sharing together. No detail goes unnoticed. No experience is lost, and each guest is impeccably cared for, no matter who they are. The moment the invitation hits the door, a window into the celebration space has been created. The color story and surroundings tell of the space and the soul of the anticipated experience. We wanted no less for this villa celebration as the invitation suite and handmade paper goods tied the soft warm tones of the Villa with the neutrals and cool romantic blue hues derived from the “wallpaper” room and hand-painted dressing room, where you see the bride spending a few quiet moments leading up to her celebration. The “wallpaper” room was quickly one of the first spaces we fell in love with for this lovely couple. It features stunning lake views, a carved limestone fireplace surround, and exuberant French wallpaper from the Zuber & Cie company.

Designed in 1832, the pattern of the room’s wallpaper is Décor Chinois (Chinese decoration). The wallpaper is a wood-block print by 387 wooden boards carved the same year. The panoramic scene features 10 panels and utilizes 57 colors of ink. Zuber paper is still printed in this manner, and the paper maintains its status as a work of decorative art. You can see why this space is reflective of the thoughtfulness and artistic value that the couple has in creating an experience for themselves and their guests. Fittingly, we used the wallpaper pattern as a basis for the seating assignments for each one. A European-inspired space like a villa or estate has the detail, the history, and the romantic timelessness that is key to an opulent yet inspired celebration experience. We pulled from the space to choose stunning Anne Barge and Millia London gowns, which the bride wore at various times throughout her wedding day. The sleek and sophisticated Anne Barge gown and its accessories were the perfect style for the bride’s ceremony attire. In contrast, the champagne Millia London gown made its debut on camera and graced her impeccably as the evening went on. The natural tones of the bride’s makeup, classic hairstyle, and beautiful vintage rings spoke to the authenticity yet high-end aesthetic of the couple. The groom’s attire flowed right alongside her as he wore a black tux without the vest as a showcasing of their bold yet straightforward approach to fashion and design. The ceremony and celebration itself drew inspiration from the natural surroundings of the gardens and villa courtyard. The stunning floral design had quite warm and neutral tones, subtle pops of deep blue berries, and meadow-like greens that sprung naturally from around the couple during the ceremony, in the bridal bouquet and dinner table arrangements. The floral movement and dynamic reflect the romance and strength of the couples’ appreciation for natural beauty and delicate architecture and style. As the evening progressed beyond the sweet vows, applause and laughter resounded from the black-tie guests, a couple of which were also showcasing fashion-forward Millia London evening gowns. The moments beyond this were laced with details through and through…from cocktails in the terrace garden to the beautifully styled charcuterie, delicious menu (also listed on blind embossed paper nonetheless!), handwritten name cards, and toasts all around. The place settings were also designed to replicate the feeling of an elegant Renaissance-era meal with linen napkins cleanly placed at the left side of each delicate piece of china and silver flatware. The linen and place settings’ simple and clean tones led the eye inwards and upwards to the floral design and conversation movement across the long banquet-style table. The dinner was wrapped up with cutting a delicious four-tiered cake with white chocolate pieces for another more modern yet clean detail. At the same time, macarons were another lovely nod to their tie to varieties of culture and cuisine. And as the sun went down, there’s no more timeless way to capture love than in the flickering candlelight and moonlit sky. What better place to end the night as the couple’s silhouettes danced on the terrace surrounded by their closest family and friends? All this said, despite this strange season, we look ahead at the incredible opportunities to find the places that give us space to reflect and capture a couple’s story…to create bold statements in timeless strokes of beauty. Villa weddings both near and far help us re-envision the “new” post-pandemic celebration era, where thoughtful design, diversity, intimacy, and destination experiences are everything.

Are You a Fine Art Bride? Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum is Your Spot.

I’m crushing hard on today’s styled shoot… the bride, her Elizabeth Dye dress, that centerpiece from Kase Styles. Yes. yes. yes. My favorite aspect is that it coins a style of bride I haven’t yet heard of, but one we see a lot on SMP—the ‘fine art bride’. If you want to live, breath and swim in elegance, charm and all things soft, flowy and gracious, this one is just for you darling. And you’ll probably want to give Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum a good hard look, too. Natashia Nicole crafted a breathtaking gallery that you’ll want to pin your heart out in, see it all here!

From Natasha Nicole Photography… Inspired by the historic Villa Terrace in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this shoot centered around classic, old world, and romantic styling. The neutral white stucco and vibrant corals and pinks of Villa Terrace set the mood for this light, romantic inspiration. We also drew inspiration from the stunning, feminine Elizabeth Dye gown. Delicate calligraphy, soft neutral silk ribbon, organic florals, and touches of elegance were offset by a minimalist tablescape. We wanted to understate the design to not draw attention away from the stunning architecture and landscapes surrounding Villa Terrace. This inspiration was designed for the fine art bride.

How This Couple Used Their Venue to Tell Their Love Story

Inspired by one of their favorite memories – sipping wine under the starry night sky in Napa Valley – this couple decided to recreate the experience for guests at their Milwaukee wedding. Booth Photographics captured just how they transformed the Milwaukee Art Museum into California Wine Country, with help from planning experts, Événement, and floral design by Impressions. The result is a modern, rustic blend we can’t get enough of, and it’s all waiting for you right here.

Colors

Seasons

Summer Weddings

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Museum

Styles

Rustic

Kelly and Cody shared some amazing memories during a visit to Napa Valley and wanted to recreate that for their guests. They chose a show-stopper of a venue in the famous Milwaukee Art Museum that gave the sense of staring up at the starry night sky sipping wine – their favorite experience together. They chose a venue that gave them that feeling of looking up at the stars at night, strung cafe lights to create some romance, and put a great glass of wine in everyone’s hands. Add in top notch catering for that quintessential Napa culinary experience, and they had created something truly distinct for their favorite people.

Kelly and Cody wanted their florist, Esther Fleming, to have free reign to soften their modernist space. They shared how they loved the way the vines grew in Napa Valley and showed her some samples. She took things from there, building them a long pergola for their head table and wrapping it in greenery and vines. Kelly and Cody recreated one of their favorite experiences together for their guests, and the result is pretty incredible!

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Bridesmaid Dresses

Amsale

Amsale Bridesmaids Fall 2014

Amsale Bridesmaids Spring 2014

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Amsale Bridal Fall 2014

Amsale Bridal Spring 2015

Amsale Bridesmaids Fall 2015

Amsale Bridal Blue Label

Amsale Bridal Spring 2016

Amsale Bridal Fall 2016

Amsale Bridal Spring 2018

Amsale Bridal Fall 2018

Amsale Bridesmaids

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A Wisconsin Wedding With German Flair

If you wanted to honor your heritage into your special day, you can learn a thing or two from these cuties. Austin and Mike’s Wisconsin wedding included incorporated their German heritage through fun and thoughtful details. Favorites include letterpress invitations by Shipwright & Co. featuring a German beer stein, Gabriel’s Horns String Quartet playing Eidelweiss from the Sound of Music at the ceremony (read the special meaning behind this choice, below!), and a polka band performance. Kate Weinstein captured the festivities, which are all waiting for you right here!

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Spring Weddings

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Whimsical

Despite growing up only one mile apart and having many mutual friends, Mike and Austin didn’t actually meet until they were classmates in medical school. Mike remembers looking across the anatomy lab at Austin and thinking she was pretty cute. The rest was history!

Austin and Mike’s wedding day was a celebration of love and family, with many nods to their home state of Wisconsin and their German heritage. Their letterpress invitations featured a German beer stein, and Mike’s tie pin was also a beer stein. During the ceremony, the Eidelweiss song from the Sound of Music was played, which is meaningful to the couple for many reasons, but most importantly, when Mike proposed, he gave Austin a ring in a music box that played that song. Immediately following the ceremony, a polka band led everyone to the cocktail hour. At dinner, guests were given bars of cheese as favors to take home. Courtney Joy and Sweven created the breathtaking florals in shades of peach, orange, and pink. Shipwright and Co. created the invitation suite. The Marv Wunder Polka Band started the evening’s entertainment, followed by Milwaukee Airwaves as DJ. It was a day of joy, laughter, and happily ever after!

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Wedding Dresses

BHLDN

Bridal 2016

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Sara Gabriel

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When Classic Blue China Inspires Your Wedding Day

When it came to the look and feel of their wedding day, David and Kyle knew exactly what they were going for. A classic tented affair with blue hues and timeless calligraphy details by Bien Fait. They thoughtfully incorporated blue and white china collected by the bride’s mother and the end result is a day so lovely it will take your breath away. More from m three studios right this way!

From the photographer, m three studio… There are moments in life when the stars seem to align. Everything goes your way and it’s as if you are living with the golden touch. If you are extra lucky, that day happens on your wedding day, like it did for David & Kyle. I could go on and on about how gorgeous this day is, and it is. But there is so much from this day. So much love, beauty, so much JOY, friendship, kindness, depth, tradition, style…it is the muchness that gets you. And Kyle and David? They soaked it all in, appreciating every second.

From the planner, Tailored Engagements… Kyle and her mom had a clear vision for the wedding day and I was totally on board with it. We incorporated their blue China collection throughout the entire day and used a neutral color palette to keep things subtle and romantic. The look and feel of the day were so fitting for a bride who looks effortlessly beautiful with no makeup in a baseball hat. It was a simple style with tons of light and a natural garden feel. The clear top tent, romantic flowers, and natural elements all came together beautifully. We were so in love with this couple and their style.

From the Bride, Kyle… David and I first officially met after I invited him to Cincinnati Reds game senior year of college- thanks to one of my bridesmaids, Allison, for the suggestion! Up until that day I had heard a tale or two about David, but we never crossed paths. That night we hit it off and even pretended to be engaged at a bar that night (free drinks!) and the rest was history. After five years of dating, two of which were long distance, David asked me to marry him in our apartment in Chicago. We spent the rest of the day and night celebrating with family and friends. I couldn’t have planned a more perfect day myself.

I had always pictured myself getting married outside in a tent. So much so, that before we picked out the venue we found a vendor that had clear-top tents in the Milwaukee Area. Once that was squared away, we looked at a few venues in the area for good measure, but the Milwaukee Country Club was a top choice from the beginning. First, there was a level of comfort since my family had belonged there for some time, but after meeting with the club manager we could perfectly imagine the day there- everything from getting ready to cocktails to dinner and dancing. All the details fell into place once we made that decision.

In terms of a style, if I were to choose a few words to describe our wedding it would be classic and romantic, with a touch of rustic. It was important to us to try our best to have a timeless wedding that was still organic and relaxed. Blue is our favorite color which made selecting the overall color scheme an easy choice. It happens to be my mom’s favorite color as well, which played a key part in decor later on. All of the blue and white vases we used for the cocktail hour and entrance were collected by mom throughout the years. We tied this theme in with the blue and white china settings on the head table.

My favorite part of planning was the time I got to spend with my parents. They were a huge help throughout the whole process! Whether it was coming to the tasting or helping us select flowers, they always gave the perfect amount of feedback and support. While there were a few stressful moments, the amount laughs and good memories we created will always be in the forefront of my mind.

Lastly, and most importantly, David and I wanted the day to be fun, enjoyable and memorable for everyone that was a part of it. That brings me to my one piece of advice for anyone that is planning a wedding- having an event coordinator or wedding planner made our wedding day stress-free. This not only allowed us both to fully take in every minute of the day but also allowed our families to enjoy our wedding. It goes by so quickly! It’s important to embrace all the love and even the unexpected events that come your way.

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Bridesmaid Dresses

Lela Rose

2014 Bridesmaid

Fall 2014

Spring 2015

Fall 2016

Spring 2016

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A Milwaukee Courthouse Wedding Built for Two

After their Milwaukee Courthouse nuptials, this darling duo hopped on a vintage moped “getaway car,” dashing off to their at-home reception. They dreamed up a private dinner party to celebrate, incorporating their favorite his and hers Old Fashioned cocktails, a petite cake bedecked in ferns, and heirloom china from the bride’s grandmother. Heather Cook Elliott Photography captured this cozy and intimate, fall celebration – you can see it all right here in our Vault.

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Seasons

Fall Weddings

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City Hall

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Vintage

From Heather Cook Elliott Photography
… My studio photographer and real bride, Sara, got married in a BHLDN gown with amazing florals at the Milwaukee County Courthouse. We dreamed up an ideal at home, luxe dinner cocktail party to celebrate! If you have the guts to not only do a courthouse wedding like Sara, but to also host your own intimate, at-home reception with just your best man and maid of honor, you can splurge on all things beautiful while finally getting to use your family heirlooms.

For old world boho and antiquarian-at-heart Sara, it means dining on her grandmother’s china, using vintage silver, and making his and hers, handcrafted old fashioneds (a Wisconsin favorite!) in crystal highball glasses. It means splurging on Luxardo cherries and asking your florist to create a “cake” from ferns and other botanical blooms. It means having your beloved cat present and decked out in a laurel wreath because that’s your baby. It means decorating your vintage moped and transforming your dining room into a dream reception locale.

Secrets to a Healthy Marriage from a Couple 58 Years In!

Harold and Lorraine have figured out the secret sauce to a happy marriage. For not only do they make 58 years of wedded bliss look easy, but their tips on how to make it last are completely applicable whether you’re a newlywed or years in. See their advice below and all the adorable snaps from Maison Meredith Photography in The Vault!

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Harold + Lorraine’s Tips for a Lasting Marriage

Love each other

Respect each other (If you don’t respect each other, you will never get along! These first two tips are our most important ones.)

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Say please + thank you

Worship together

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Have a family

Plan your vacations together

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Have vacations with your children (We’ve found that they especially like camping!)

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Give each other some space! (It’s important to have separate hobbies apart from your spouse)

Be fair with each other. (Listen, discuss each person’s side together, and then choose which route is the best to go.)

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From the Lorraine…We got married in a little town call Kennan in north central Wisconsin 58 years ago! Both Harold and I are actually from this town, but we met in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Growing up in Kennan, I knew Harold’s family name, but I never actually knew Harold. He was five years older than me so I didn’t know him in grade school or high school.

I moved to Milwaukee after I graduated and Harold moved to Milwaukee after he got out of the service, which ended up being around the same time. Harold was actually living with my cousin and the two of them were really good friends! Since I was so much younger than my cousin, however, I didn’t know him very well and hence didn’t even know that he had a roommate, nonetheless that Harold was his roommate! The first time we met was actually at a dance in Milwaukee. Harold thought I was cute and the rest is history. We dated for a year and a half before Harold proposed on Valentine’s Day.

On our honeymoon we went to Yellowstone National Park and Harold told me that he had been saving 50 cent pieces, one at a time, so that he could take me on the trip! We drove out there through the Rocky Mountains and I was scared to death!

Another favorite memory we have together is our big trip to Europe. Harold was in the service in Germany, so for our 25th Anniversary we took a trip to see where he had lived. We were also able to go to Switzerland, Austria, and Italy. One of the best memories from the trip actually took place in the airport overseas — we were changing airlines and started chatting with a couple standing nearby us in line. We learned that they lived 15 miles from us in a small town in Central Wisconsin. I could hardly believe it, it was awesome! It was just a fun trip and I’m thankful we were young enough to really enjoy it.

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From Lorraine’s Granddaughter, Taylor… I have looked up to my grandparents my entire life. Their selfless love for one another and everyone in their life is admirable. They are always putting others first and deserved to have time for each other to capture that love and commitment to one another. They have told so many incredible stories over their lifetime, but the most captivating is their love story.

For my family and I, we will now be able to cherish these timeless photos forever. The photos will serve as a constant reminder to strive for a beautiful marriage filled with love, commitment, and laughter. The photos will be passed down to next generations in our family for years to come. There’s no doubt that people will be able to feel and be inspired by their love without ever having met them, and that is such a beautiful gift.

Photography: Maison Meredith Photography

The Prettiest Raspberry Bourbon Cocktail to Welcome Spring

I am fully, wholeheartedly ready for Spring even if the weather and calendar haven’t quite caught up. I’m cleaning, organizing, adding colorful accessories and dreaming of springtime sips like the Campagna di Padova from Mint & Lovely along with imagery by Laurelyn Savannah. You’ll find the ingredients below and in 5 minutes you can be on your way to the yummiest Spring cocktailing.

The Campagna di Padova is a nod to all things spring. Our friends at Onesto mixed up this gorgeous cocktail that combines warming bourbon, bitter aperol and sweet simple syrup. Poured into a charming coupe, this pop of pink is a sure sign that warmer weather is on it’s way!

Campagna di Padova

prep time
5 Minute/s

cook time

total time
5 Minute/s

Ingredients

Bulleit Bourbon 1.25oz
Aperol .75oz
Raspberries 3ea
Lemon juice .75oz
Simple syrup .75oz

Instructions

Place all ingredients except one raspberry in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Cover and shake for 30 seconds.
Strain mix into a coupe glass through a handheld strainer to remove seeds.
Add remaining berry on the top of the drink for a garnish.

Photography: Laurelyn Savannah Photography | Styling: Mint & Lovely Studios | Restaurant: Onesto

Family-Infused Milwaukee Wedding at Villa Filomena

This wedding is lovely in the way that we normally talk about weddings. With gorgeous blooms by Wood Violet, stunning styling by Tailored Engagements and perfect images from Heather Cook Elliott Photography, it truly has it all. But what makes it absolutely gorgeous is the love this brand new family obviously shares for each other, and that love shows in each and every image in this gorgeous gallery.

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From Heather Cook Elliott Photography…To us, the best part of weddings is the fact that we get to witness and honor through our photographs the making of a family. Brides and grooms choose one another and they join their extended families to one another, but really, in saying their vows they create a legal, spiritual, cultural unit that is oh-so-worthy of adoration. On Blanca and Joe’s wedding day these truths were incredibly palpable and made plain for all in attendance to see and feel and be a part of honoring, too. Joe said vows not just to Blanca, but also to her two daughters, brought into the world in a time before he became such an integral part of Blanca’s life. Lucy and Lydia embraced Joe and their newest sibling Henry throughout the day, too, all smiles, all joy from morning hair appointments to dance floor boogies. They embraced their mom as well, and it really is so easy to see in these photographs that for this new family every heart was full near to bursting. We captured their love and happiness in the small details and in the big moments, as the girls serenaded and danced with their mom and helped her dress for the big day; we captured the fun and frivolity as cousins and friends played oversized board games at the reception and a host of toasts were offered to Blanca and Joe; ultimately we captured this family made official and new and whole. Grab a tissue and take a breath – these images to be savored.

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Chic Black-Tie Milwaukee Wedding

If you followed along with our Bridal Market coverage back in October, then you know that off-the-shoulder wedding gowns are a major fashion do. And in her gorgeous lace off-the-shoulder Robert Bullock wedding gown this Bride is looking trendy and timeless. See more of it and the rest of this classic blush wedding captured by Kate Weinstein Photo in THE VAULT!

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From Kate Weinstein Photo…The downtown area of Milwaukee was the backdrop for Eileen and Mike’s wedding day, and they kept the style chic, elegant, and simple, from the bride’s Robert Bullock lace gown and the grooms sleek black tux, to the soft blush color palette and romantic floral decor.

They exchanged vows in a traditional Catholic ceremony at St. Sebastian and the reception was held at the historic Pfister Hotel. Sweet floral table numbers and white and blush flowers accented the tables as Mike and Eileen danced the night away.

Elegant European Villa Wedding Inspiration

You know an inspo is going to be G-O-O-D when the photographer says they were inspired by marble, but better yet, the fact that this european inspired Villa is actually in Milwaukee, Wisconsin! Shocked? Well, get ready to see the gallery because the good doesn’t stop there. With Roots Of Life Photography behind the lens this is one gallery you won’t want to miss. See it all in THE VAULT!

From Roots Of Life Photography… For some time now, I have been dreaming up this editorial concept in my head. My initial inspiration came from all the marble I began seeing in home decor, photo backdrops on social media, and recently, making its way into wedding and event design. For this styled editorial shoot, I wanted to incorporate marble decor as well as varying shades of blue and grey. This palette would work beautifully for a fall or winter bride who is looking to incorporate a bolder color (sapphire, for example) while sticking to other lighter and more muted shades within the same color palette. We imagined a couple who may have traveled or studied abroad in Europe who want to incorporate those design aesthetics into their special day.

When I found Villa Terrace in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, I KNEW it was the perfect venue for our shoot. The lush portico and sweeping vistas on the property are utter perfection. The atmosphere of the venue has an upscale, European feel. I wanted to bring out these elements in a refined and classic way, and I used a team of exceptional vendors to bring my vision to life.

Our beautiful model Sheyanne wore a simple but show-stopping Alyssa Kristin gown with the most perfect bluish-grey tulle skirt. Accessories from Left Bank Jewelry showcased the gown while adding a little oomph to the overall look. The engagement ring & diamond earrings by Susie Saltzman, displayed in a custom monogrammed blue velvet Mrs. Box, added another classic detail to our shoot.

The charcuterie table would offer wedding guests a European-style assortment of delicious meats, cheeses, bread & fruits to nosh on while waiting for the reception to begin. We wanted the presentation of this table to feel casual, elegant, and bountiful, so we used a marble Williams Sanoma platter and silver bowls, platters & stands from Nimble Well, filled to the brim with goodies. The dinner menu, written by Emily Rose Ink on a marble slab and displayed at this table, would provide a preview of the delicacies to come.

Our naturally designed tablescape complemented the space and showcased the blue and grey color palette. The grey BBJ linens & rustic Halls chairs set the tone for our look, and Vintage Place Settings contributed their “Blue Royale” china to outfit our table. The sapphire glass goblets from Nimble Well added a pop of color that highlighted the deep blue of the place settings, while place cards and calligraphy by Emily Rose Ink picked up on details from the china pattern. We wanted to provide a contrast to the classic, timeless feel of the vintage china and glassware by adding an unexpected modern detail for the table runner, so our event coordinator sourced marble shards from a local quarry for a stunning cracked marble table runner. Clusters of grapes and dried olives provided an effortless finishing touch.

The team wanted to further showcase the venue by utilizing the unique nooks & crannies throughout the property as vignettes for our wedding elements. One such vignette was the space we used for our “sweets table,” where we wanted to incorporate European-style desserts. Bennisons Bakery created a stunning ombre macaron tower and petit fours with chocolate fleur-de-lis seals, in addition to a gorgeous marble fondant cake decorated with olive branches and eucalyptus. We added marble candlesticks and an accent of artichokes and pears to complete this vignette.

I wanted to highlight the natural beauty of the venue by going with an organic, loosely designed approach to floral design. Lovely from May Floral provided us with incredible arrangements that complemented the theme and feel of the shoot. The neutral color palette and asymmetrical centerpieces elevated all the other details, from the tablescape and the sweets display to the bridal gown and stationery.

From Emily Rose Ink... Because I always like to design with a story in mind, I was really inspired by the vintage Blue Willow china set that we used for the table setting, which I imagined our bride might have inherited from her mother or grandmother. The china features two doves and beautiful flowers and foliage, so I took inspiration from the imagery on the plates to develop the design of the crest, pattern, and borders. I kept the design monochromatic and elegant to highlight the romantic, ethereal aesthetic of the shoot while still picking up the deeper blue of the china pattern. The blue garland pattern was woven throughout the day-of paper goods on the signature cocktail sign and the favor sign as well. I wrote the menu in silver calligraphy on a large slab of marble, which hopefully could serve as inspiration for brides looking for unique ways to display their wedding menu.”

Abby Giffin of Heirloom Event Co was integral to the shoot, executing my vision with gusto. She sourced the marble from the quarry, booked the venue, models and vendors, and kept us on schedule throughout the day. She has a gift for bringing clients’ visions to life and coordinating details with efficiency and a smile.

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Elegant + Intimate Outdoor Backyard Wedding in Wisconsin

This Bride is all types of beautiful, but her gown? S.T.U.N.N.I.N.G. It’s so out of this world gorge that our words can’t do it justice. And if you think this gown is good, just wait until you hear Andrew and Cassi’s story. Brace yourself – he has loved her since the 6th grade. If that doesn’t turn you into a ball of mush then the captures by the talented Kate Weinstein Photo certainly will. See it all in THE VAULT!

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From Kate Weinstein Photo… He’s loved her since the 6th grade,” was the theme of the wedding toasts on Cassi + Andrew’s wedding day. The two have been best friends since elementary school, and while Andrew realized his love for Cassi early on (the 6th grade to be exact!), it wasn’t until after college that Cassi finally realized that Andrew was the man for her.

They chose the 4th of July for their wedding date, because since middle school, it’s been their favorite holiday to spend together. The day was set at Andrew’s parent’s home just outside Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and their ceremony was set up overlooking the Wisconsin countryside, laced with white flowers by Fresh Design. String music for the ceremony was performed by Tatiana Migliaccio and accompaniments.

Cassi wore a gorgeous illusion neckline dress by Pronovias, and her bridesmaids wore dusty blue Joanna August dresses. Jen Ganson planned the wedding day to perfection, North Star Bistro catered a family-style dinner, and Fresh Design created the bouquets, table arrangements, and adorned the tables with greenery. The reception took place under a Sperry Tent, and Lakes Area rentals provided the long tables and the french country chairs. Sweet Perfections made a simple and lovely cake and MaeMae & Co. designed the paper goods and invitation suite, including a custom crest with Cassi and Andrew’s initials.

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ATELIER PRONOVIAS

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Milwaukee Wedding Draped in Romantic Fog

You might not dream of fog on your wedding day, but let me assure you beauties, foggy I do’s are wedding gold. The pretty proof? Sits right here in THE VAULT, thanks to Untamed Heart Photography and their wildly good way with the lens. Top it off with a Reem Acra dress from Gabriella New York and it’s all over. More this way!

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From Untamed Heart Photography…When you picture an August wedding, you don’t think of thick fog and rain, but when all was said and done, it couldn’t have been more memorable. Arielle got to stand under the chuppah her father made for her, and marry the man that God made for her. It was a beautiful day!

From The Bride…Adam and I met in Milwaukee, where we both grew up, at the marriage of good friends. It turns out that though we’d never met as kids, we had a bunch of friends in common, had attended the same synagogue, and likely some of the same concerts as teenagers. Four months after we met, Adam moved to New York to be with me.

Funnily enough, we met our fabulous wedding planner at that same wedding! We loved the feel of that wedding so much, we contacted Jessica Arendas of Lourdes & Lorraine. She was instrumental in helping us make our wedding vision a reality. I vaguely knew that I wanted lots of greenery and foliage (inspired in part by the “tree house” art installation in the Brooklyn Botanical Garden where we got engaged), rustic simplicity, and a chic feel – what Jessica called “undone elegance.” We were instantly on the same page. She went above and beyond to help us design custom paper goods with Magnificent Milestones in Chicago, order furniture, work with the band – truly doing almost everything, necessitated by an a la carte warehouse space like the Pritzlaff Building in Milwaukee.

The result: farm tables, mercury votive candles, and a bridal bouquet of white Garden Roses, peach/champagne Stock, café au lait Dahlia, Dusty Miller, Seeded Eucalyptus, Scabiosa Pods, and Sword Fern fronds. The “barely there” cake by Miss Molly, the chiffon skirt and intricately beaded bodice on my Reem Acra dress – it all felt, indeed, effortlessly fabulous. To top it all off, the unseasonably cool and misty late August day was captured with sensitivity by Michelle Huesgen of Untamed Heart. I wanted photos that would feel romantic and timeless, and I knew she was it when I found her on Style Me Pretty. People: run, don’t walk, to book her! The film photos in particular are treasures.

Finally, the personal touches contributed by artistic family members made the wedding extra special. My sister painted a watercolor portrait of Adam and me for the Save the Date. My Dad, a metal sculptor, welded the chuppah, and my stepmother Nina, a fabric artist, quilted a chuppah cover of branches and leaves to recall our tree house engagement. It was an incredible day that we’ll never forget – and still quite surreal that it’s over!

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Reem Acra

Spring 2015

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Milwaukee 40th Birthday Party

It’s no secret that our style leans towards the glittery and girly but that’s not to say we can’t fully get on board with a 40th birthday bash with not an ounce of pink in sight. When it came to planning her husband’s party, Lauren of Ryder Sloan Events, pulled out all the stops. The result is a masculine meets elegant dinner party in Brew City with a trio of cakes that you’ll want to devour. See it all captured by Laurelyn Savannah right here!

When it came time to start planning my husband’s 40th birthday party, we threw around a lot of ideas, Miami, Cabo, Vegas, etc. But ultimately, we really wanted to bring everyone together in his hometown of Milwaukee. This meant that his friends and family could both be included.

I first reached out to Aerialist Press, a local letterpress studio where we currently live in San Francisco to create a beautiful but masculine invitation suite to get everyone excited to visit Brew City. And while we made a whole weekend of it with activities each day, Saturday night was the big party. We rented out Braise Culinary School’s private event space and rooftop garden (where they forage much of their food from). For example, the honey flavored birthday cake was made using fresh honey from their beehive.

As a wedding planner, I couldn’t stop at just that and tried to bring in some beautiful decor without going too feminine! Flower and Bee made lovely loose table garlands accented with succulents and local flowers. And as a custom touch, we rented vintage cocktail glasses and brass candlestick holders from Relic Vintage Rentals in which I used three different shades of gray tapers. I also had TAP Plastics here in SF cut gray acrylic squares for me to write 42 custom copper calligraphed menus which also acted as place cards for each guest.

We were lucky to have Laurelyn Savannah document the memorable night and we even snuck away early in the night to get a few Christmas card worthy shots of just the two of us

Grecian Aphrodite-Inspired Bridal Shoot

Gorgeous? Well that doesn’t even begin to describe the achingly beautiful captures from Willow & Stone Photography. Not. even. close. I mean, anytime you mix the talents of Canvas Weddings with the mastery of Alluring Blooms the results are bound to send anyone into a Pinterest frenzy, and you can get started right here!

From Corinne Van Arsdale of Canvas Weddings… I have always been fascinated by Greek mythology, and particularly with Aphrodite, the goddess of love, beauty and pleasure. So many mythological deities have seemingly one-dimensional personality traits or skills — but not Aphrodite. She was said to be beautiful and infinitely desirable, as she was born of a god and the sea, but she was also a warrior, a schemer and a savior. This duality was ultimately the inspiration behind this shoot — Aphrodite is beautiful, soft and graceful, but she is also powerful and strong. We wanted this shoot to celebrate the strength and beauty of women — which is why we chose to place three women at the center of this wedding universe.

While we wanted this shoot to be clearly inspired by Greek mythology, we wanted to avoid designing a “theme” wedding. From the beginning, we wanted to design a wedding environment that evoked the opulence of the mythology in a modern, contemporary way that midwestern brides would want to replicate at their own weddings. For that reason, we avoided putting our models in predictable chiffon, draped gowns, and opted instead for body-skimming formal gowns with lace or jeweled details. We also chose dinnerware and stationery with a slightly modern edge to bring this world into the 21st century.

Once we had our primary inspiration in the character of Aphrodite, we turned to Greek antiquity to gather ideas for our design. First, we needed a location — and we almost immediately settled upon the Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum in Milwaukee, a villa built by a Milwaukee architect in 1923 that is situated right on the shores of Lake Michigan. The villa’s sprawling gardens and Italian Renaissance-inspired architecture were perfect backdrops on which we based our designs.

We took or cues from Renaissance art of Greek mythology when determining our color palette — lush greens, delicate blush, champagnes, ivories and hints of gold. We wanted the colors to evoke the decadence of Greek mythology as well as the obvious reverence for nature in their worship practices. This we achieved by combined lush and bountiful greenery and blooms with light gold leafing in the bouquets, table garland and ceremony arrangements.

All other details, from the lace robe to the dynamic hairstyles, dramatic ceremony draping and the lush draped chairs were inspired by the duality of Aphrodite’s softness and her strength.
This vision of beauty and strength was brought to life with the help of many of Wisconsin’s best wedding artists, including Willow & Stone Photography, Alluring Blooms, Jaxie and Sugar River Stationers. Many, many thanks go to Bloom Bake Shop, The Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum. A La Crate Vintage Rentals, The Rock Agency, Event Essentials and Sevva Salon for their contributions to this shoot.

Art Museum Wedding in Milwaukee

You know how couples often exchange sweetest gifts the morning of the wedding? Well, this Groom took things one step further and surprised his Bride with probably the cutest gift EVER – a collar for the new family puppy they’d pick out together as newlyweds. It’s a wedding day surprise we can 100% get behind, but it’s only the beginning. More beautiful moments captured by The McCartneys right here.

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From The McCartneys Photography… With a soft color palette and modern lines in mind, Elise and Tyler designed the wedding of their dreams with lots of help from Elise’s Mom, and an amazing team of creatives! The Milwaukee Art Museum absolutely blew us away with its grand beauty and refreshing walls of white.

But more importantly, we were lucky to capture this fun, at ease couple’s wedding day. Elise and Tyler are not only a gorgeous bride and groom, but an amazing couple to be surrounded by. The happiness they emitted was never-ending from the moment we arrived to our hugs goodbye, and you could see in their eyes that they were SO grateful for all of the friends and family who traveled to celebrate with them on their wedding day!

Elise and her ladies were pampered with final makeup and hair touches, then Elise slipped into her beautiful Anna Maier~Ulla-Maija wedding gown (and stunning Manolo’s!). We were even able to tag along as Elise’s maid of honor delivered a special boudoir session wedding gift to her groom. From the look on Tyler’s face, our guess is that he was quite surprised!

The first look took place in a galleria completely overflowing with gorgeous light and white walls and floors everywhere you looked! Our hearts may have skipped a beat when Elise opened Tyler’s gift to her – a brand new collar so they can pick out their first puppy and start growing their newly formed family of two! From that moment on, their smiles were painted on and we had a BLAST with their very charismatic wedding party! Inside the museum and out, Elise and Tyler and their stylish wedding party (donning Burberry and Adrianna Pappell) looked amazing, and we were thankful to have lots of portrait time with them!

The entire wedding day was set in the Milwaukee Art Museum, but the transformation that took place from the moment the ceremony ended until their reception tables were glowing with candlelight was incredible!! Guests were whisked into another galleria for cocktail hour and an amazing guitarist serenaded everyone as they enjoyed Wisconsin treats and beverages. From a gorgeous ceremony white washed in radiant light and gorgeous florals to a reception celebration with linens, colorful up-lighting, centerpieces and never-ending thoughtful details that filled their reception, all of the friends and family of Elise and Tyler were in for a real treat!

From the Bride… I had ALWAYS envisioned having my wedding in my hometown at the Milwaukee Art Museum and so Tyler knew there was not much room for discussion :) We did not look at any other venues and in fact, choosing the venue was one of the easiest decisions that we made related to the wedding. We LOVED the modern architecture, location, lighting and white color scheme.

We did not want to overpower the beauty of the Milwaukee Art Museum and so we chose a simple elegant aesthetic. We used neutral and champagne colors (with a hint of sparkles, of course!), autumn flowers and lots of candles for decoration. For the wedding, we wrote our own ceremony words and vows, and incorporated poems and music that had been important to us in our lives.

We created wedding favors made up of local caramels wrapped in monogrammed “C” boxes and tied with ribbons. With my mother/wedding planner extraordinaire and some wonderful family friends, I had a “craft brunch” (complete with mimosas) to help put everything together. Most of the supplies came from Michaels and we went so many times that my mother has vowed never to step foot in another Michaels again!

Our favorite moment of the wedding day was the special and private first look that we shared. Seeing each other in advance of the walk down the aisle calmed our nerves. This was also when my groom presented a dog collar as a token of his readiness to bring a wheaten terrier fur child into our loving family! Thanks so much for capturing the joy of this moment, McCartneys!

If I were to share a piece of advice with future prides, it would be: ENJOY, ENJOY, ENJOY the entire wedding planning process and try not to let the daunting nature of some tasks overwhelm you. Oh, and do not forget to plan the most awesome honeymoon :)

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Adrianna Papell

Spring 2015

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Romantic Bridal Hair Inspiration + Tutorial

Here at SMP, we’re never one to turn down a good dose of beauty tricks. So, when this pretty tutorial landed in our laps, we were eager take notes and bask in the beauty. It’s a dose of gorgeous locks that are sure to have you testing out a few fabulous styles. Scan the slideshow for terrific tips by Aliza Rae Photography and Gina of Wide Eyed Beauty below!

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From Aliza Rae Photography… This bridal hair and makeup inspiration shoot was a collaborative effort with Wide Eyed Beauty, AnnKat Jewelry Designs, and MinkMaids. Gina and Maggie are the masterminds of beauty behind Wide Eyed Beauty, and I was so thrilled to be able to capture the romantic wedding day looks that they created. AnnKat made the most stunning bridal jewelry collection that speaks to the most bohemian and even traditional of brides. Of course, MinkMaids lovely dresses accompanied this bridal inspiration shoot, giving depth and variety for every bride and bridesmaid look.

From Gina of Wide Eyed Beauty… These days bridal hair styles are heading in more of the “anything goes” route. If you have ever looked at Anthropologie or J.Crew’s wedding editorials and thought you would love to try that perfectly imperfect whimsical hair but don’t know how, I can give you a few simple steps to creating that kind of look at home.

I recommend starting with clean damp hair. Lots of the products used for this type of look actually create that “dirty” feel for you, and too much oil or product build up in the hair before you start can ruin this look. Texturizing sprays and dry shampoos have made their way to the top of popular products. I have a couple favorites that I depend on.

Oscar Blandi Pronto Volume and Texture Spray
Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray
Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray
You can also make your own!

Materials

Bobby pins (the color of your own hair)
Back combing brush, and a regular brush
Curling Iron (1” to 1.5” depending on hair length)
2-3 large Velcro rollers
Hair dryer
Strong hold hairspray / (unscented spray)
Optional: A pretty vintage inspired hair comb, or even fresh flowers

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Lazaro

Spring 2016

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