Amber & Ryan are getting married tomorrow! I was looking back through their engagement session in preparation for their wedding tomorrow and got back ALL the feels. They originally weren’t signed up to do an engagement session with me but I’m so happy they decided to add one on – it became one of my favorite sessions to date! These two are just so effortless in front of the camera, and then add in the beautiful garden backdrops at Allen Centennial Gardens and the glowiest sunset… I have so many favorites!

I love connecting with my couples prior to the wedding day, it allows me to show up to the wedding already feeling like BFFs! Amber was such a gem of a bride to work with, not only did she leave me a sweet review BEFORE their wedding day, but took the time to write me throughout the planning process. Keeping me in the loop with their plans, sneak peeks of the DRESS!, continuously telling me how excited they were, and to just check in with OUR lives during our travels! They have hearts of pure gold.

They have a fun, easy love. The kind of love where you just prefer staying in on a Friday night with each other and their pup, making homemade cocktails and binging fav Netflix shows – PS: how cute is their idea to bring Brandy Old Fashioned’s to their session with me? 3 cherries for Amber, 1 for Ryan 😉 They were actually Amber’s Grandmother’s favorite cocktail (GREAT choice grandma!) and they’ll also be making an appearance at the wedding as their signature drink. When described what made them fall in love Amber wrote “We have such a fun relationship and I know even after the hardest days I can come home to Ryan and share laughs. And of course that Ryan plays with my hair”  –> okay YES to the hair playin’. Girls, you know a man is a standup guy if he is willing to play with your hair every night 😛

Amber & Ryan, you have been a dream to work with & I am SO excited for the big round 2 tomorrow! Cheers to the almost Mr & Mrs!!!

Jack and Brittney kept their day classic and timeless, held at the historic mansion Paine Art Center and Gardens with lush greenery and garden backdrops. They kept it simple and elegant with ivory florals, Brittney’s illusion lace Hayley Paige gown, and Jack in classic black tux. Just two weeks before their wedding day the couple received news that their reception venue was still under construction and had them scrambling last minute to find a new venue. Luckily the Paine was so accommodating and offered to let them use the grounds the entire day and night. According to the couple, although this plan B was a nightmare to sort through, it ended up being more than they could have dreamed. It not only became easier on the guests and transportation, but became a cohesive backdrop for their whole day. They took advantage of the beauty of the outdoors and chose a tented reception in the gardens, it was so seamless and perfect that it’s hard to imagine this second half of their day being any other way.

Brittney was one of the many talented vendors that helped make this day as beautiful as it was. She handlettered and designed the invitations, escort sign, table and decor signage herself (if you’re interested in her work check her out here)! I was blown away by each new corner I turned, every new detail, and just their effort into making an already stunning venue somehow even more beautiful. They perfectly enhanced the elegance and timelessness that was already there.

My favorite part was when the two were saying their vows to each other, it began to heavily rain smack dab in the middle of their outdoor ceremony. Within seconds staff was rushing out with umbrellas and in no time all guests were happily covered. I always tell brides to have a plan B, but sometimes rain just comes out of nowhere and you’ve got to roll with the punches! Jack and Brittney had a moment where they looked up at the rain and giggled and then looked as if, “do we keep going?” And they did; it was spontaneous and they ran with it, and looking back through these photos, it’s clear the rain only made their day all the more romantic.

Their wedding was selected to be featured in Wisconsin Bride Magazine (see here) and along with a published 3 page spread. So for any bride-to-be’s out there that are feeling the stress or the need for perfection, know that not everything needs to go perfectly for you to still carry on and have a beautiful, amazing, and most importantly – JOYFUL wedding day. Anyway, enjoy their highlight – And be sure to scroll to the very end to read bride Brittney’s advice!

ADVICE FROM BRIDE BRITTNEY:

What was your FAVORITE memory of your wedding day?

This is a tough question, the whole day was memorable, simply just being married and celebrating our love with family and friends! Although there were little things that inevitably went wrong, it’s what made the whole day memorable.

How far in advance did you book vendors? Which 3 did you book first?

About a year in advance for the big ones and then as we found vendors we liked for other details like DJ, cake, etc.
1. venue
2. photographer
3. videographer

Any tips on dress shopping / saying yes to THE dress?

Look early and take your time! Get inspiration online and go to several different shops.  Get the dress YOU like and that you feel confident in. Don’t take too many people as everyone has different taste and opinions.

What was the hardest part to plan?

Our plan B [having to find a last minute reception venue] was a nightmare! I have no good advice for this as our situation was unique and unfortunate!

What detail (or vendor) did you NOT include but wish you had?

We had everything we wanted and then some!

What detail/expense could you have done without?

Hmm…there is nothing we regret about what we chose/spent money on.

Overall, what is the best advice you can give to planning brides?

Do your research and read reviews, book your photographer far in advance when you find the one you love! Pictures (and video if you go with a videographer) are all you have left after it’s all said and done.

Alex and Cody made alllll my garden, boho dreams come true. I swear these two are secretly models and just aren’t telling me. Alex walked in wearing her floral gown, hair and make-up on POINT. Cody was such the gentleman and offered to carry my ladder around (cause short girl problems)! Going through this session has me completely smitten by these two. Her bubbly, free-spirit mixed with his calm, go-with-the flow personality created the most perfect kind of energy. Photographing them was just pure JOY. They were so sweet for traveling to me for this session, and for trusting me to choose a location that fit their vision. The Scheig Center isn’t a ton of land, but there’s SO much goodness all in one little area. Wildflowers, rose bushes, curvy brick paths, tall grass and cotton fields…it’s now on my list of go-to spots in the Appleton area. These two are getting married THIS December and I am so excited for their cozy, winter lodge wedding at Camp Alexander. Alex is a super talented graphic designer/calligrapher/owner of her shop MannaMade (I already know their wedding will be FULL of creative touches)! I can’t wait to see it all come together in just a few months. Until then, here’s a little sneak peek at their lovely garden engagement session! Leave em some love!