Before booking me for their wedding photography, Bekka & Nate had asked Alex & I to meet them at Jim’s Place (a tavern in downtown Appleton which happens to be our favorite!!!), so we could all get to know one another better before making things official! Bekka and I had been emailing back and forth the week or two prior and she told me all the fun details, like how they had actually met at Jim’s Place for their first date after mutual friends of theirs kept on insisting they meet. Bekka recalls it was a casual Tuesday night, but the two of them sat at the hightop table talking for 7 hours as if it was nothing. And as we were sitting with them at Jim’s they couldn’t help but relive this story to us with a smile, and also…we realized we were sitting at the same hightop table!

Seven years later and now they spend their free time doing as many of their favorite things like cooking together, exploring Door County, sitting on their patio with a good glass of wine, taking care of their plant babies and garden, snowshoeing, or tackling DIY.

Planning a wedding at Bubolz Nature Preserve made total sense to them. According to Bekka, she dreamed of having a nature-inspired wedding incorporating lots of greenery and handmade elements. Bekka & Nate, along with their family, helped DIY all the decor of their wedding day, even down to the candles and wedding programs. Bekka’s father handmade the ceremony arch, to be nestled in the tall pine grove. I thought it was super cool that rather than choosing one maid of honor and one best man, they recognized ALL members of their party for being the best women and best men in their lives. The bridesmaid’s beige floral dresses helped tie into this floral/woodland vision of theirs and the greenery bouquets were a nod to the natural foliage around them. Bekka’s bouquet was adorned with a locket of her mother and charm made up of her mother’s blue bleeds she had crocheted. This bouquet carried her mother’s love with her on her wedding day, remaining close to her heart and every step she took down the aisle.

It was cloudy all morning long but just as Bekka walked out on the patio to greet her dad in her dress, and her dad turned around to embrace her and see his beautiful daughter for the first time as a bride, the sun decided to peek out. I shouldn’t say peek, it CAME OUT. It became instantly so bright and so hot on our skin it was like…demanding to be noticed! And then it was gone. I’ve heard of situations like this happening before, and I’ll admit I’ve never been a big believer in these kinds of things. But something about this moment was just very serendipitous, incredibly warm and beautiful. It was impossible not to feel Bekka’s mother’s presence. The sun ended up making appearances later on during their party, and as the sun began to set, Bekka & Nate stepped away from their guests and enjoyed a quiet moment embracing eachother, overlooking the meadow. Letting the beauty of their day and their recent vows to eachother sink in before being whisked back to a fun-filled evening of food, berry tarts, and polka dancing!

I am so glad to finally share this one, and hope you enjoy their beautiful day in the pines! Scroll to the end to see the full vendor list ♡!

Vendors:

Photography: Meghan Lee Harris  // Venue: Bubolz Nature Preserve  // Day of Coordinator: Trillium Event Co  // Wedding Dress Store: Erika’s Bridal / Neenah  // Dress Designer: Wtoo by Watters // Bride’s Shoes: Target // Hair/Makeup: Caitlin Vanden Heuvel/Salon Elan  // Jewelry: Bride’s engagement rings + wedding rings are from Nate’s Grandma. Grooms ring is from Avenue Jewelers // Florist: Master Touch Floral Studio  // Cakes & Dessert: Bryanna’s Bakery in Fond du Lac //Caterer: The MARQ // DJ: Boogie Time Duke // Bridesmaid Dresses: Show Me Your Mumu // Groomsmen Attire & Accessories: Bonobos Suit + Dazi Tie