Rachel & Steve- married!

The very first time I spoke with Rachel on the phone I knew I liked her. Sweet as could be, so laid back and just genuinely excited for her wedding day. It wasn't until the day of their engagement session when I first met Steve that I fully understood her excitement. You see Rachel & Steve have the sort of love that's enviable. The type of love your mother told you to seek out as a young girl.. a man who will love, cherish and treat you as the queen that you are. The storybook love from your bed time stories. This is the love that Steve has for Rachel. There's nothing quite as magical to me as watching the expressions that play across a grooms' face as he stands in wait for his bride. Awe, excitement, joy and the tearful realization that 'she's all mine'. 

Rachel & Steve I have absolute faith in your love for one another. Enjoy this journey of life together and always hold fast to that pure excitement you experienced on your wedding day. I'm so very blessed that I was able to be a part of your day. Much Love! 

 

Rachel's dress was just breathtaking! 

 

Favorite!! You are so beautiful Rachel

 

 

Steve has the most incredible eyes.. so intensely green

 

Seems like on last quick moment before walking down the aisle.. but as you'll read below the organist had other ideas!

They're married!!!  

See???!? Love how much they adore each other. :)

Favorite!!

Love the colored burlap...

A sweet capture my assistant Courtney caught

We snuck outside at sunset and the sky was magical. Another favorite!

What was the most memorable part of your day? 

Besides marrying our best friend, we both agree that our first dance was the most memorable part of our day.

What is your funniest memory from your wedding day? 

Steve – Definitely the organist making me wait so long to marry her. 

Rachel – My maid of honor, Kristen, mentioning the organist in her speech that night- it was so funny!

Any advice you’d share for future couples getting married? 

Just enjoy the day!!

Would you change anything about your day if you could? 

Nothing, it was perfect.

What songs did you use for your:

First Dance – “Overjoyed” by Matchbox Twenty

Father/Daughter Dance – “Have I Told You Lately”

Mother/Son Dance – “Have I Told You Lately”

Grand March – “Happy” by Pharrell

Where did you go for your Honeymoon? 

We went to St. Lucia for 9 days… It was AMAZING and we would recommend to anybody!

How did you two meet? 

We were both tricked into a blind date by Steve’s meddling aunt. J

How long have you been dating? 

We dated 4 ½ years before tying the knot.

Who were your Vendors?

Florist – The Flower Studio

Cake Baker – Carl’s Bakery

DJ or Band – Juke Box Bandstand

Videographer – Rachel’s Aunt Peggy

Reception Site – Lake Windsor Golf Club

Ceremony Site – Christ Lutheran Church

Any great vendor experiences to share?

We were very happy with the DJ, he kept the dancing going all the way to the end of the night! Lake Windsor was a wonderful reception venue, Kate was extremely sweet and helpful! Carl’s Bakery did a fabulous job… seriously the cake was probably one of my (Rachel’s J) top favorite parts of the reception! 

Sara & Drew- Married

Sara and Drew had the kind of wedding that was simply real, raw and beautiful. Rows of weathered and reconditioned white chairs invited guests to their seats. Bright yellow bundles of daffodils warmed the room to where you couldn't help but smile in anticipation. From the old worn character of their chosen setting to the heartfelt stories and toasts. There was so much personal character built in to their day that even if you'd arrived as merely an acquaintance you couldn't help but leave the evening  as the head of the Sara & Drew fan club. Their wedding - every single moment - was perfection. Even the blue skies that rolled in to brighten the afternoon seemed hand picked by a higher power to fit the standards of this day. 

Sara and Drew I am so thankful that Angela and Erik introduced me to you. I feel lucky to have been a party of your perfect day. But even more so, I think the world is lucky to have a pair like you in it. Your love is enviable. Congratulations again.. lots of love to you always!

Jennifer

This was my first time to Harvest Moon Bar and I can't wait to go back.. just love the character!

 

 

Sara you are stunning! Great capture by my assistant Courtney Laper

 

Glowing, stunning, gorgeous.. I could go on with adjectives 

Seriously? A hayloft sanctuary??! This place was just full of detail

Drew you are simply dashing

 FAVORITE... such a beautiful quiet moment

 

 LOVE these girls!!

 

 

You two are so stinking adorable... 

 

How cool are these wedding favors? Handmade wine glass charms for each guest... LOVE

 A few stolen moments later in the evening gave me some of my favorite images of the day!

What was the most memorable part of your day?

Drew:  Seeing Sara at the top of the stairs ready to walk down the aisle.

Sara: The moment we were announced husband and wife!

What is your funniest memory from your wedding day?

Sara: Losing my garter…I had forgotten to put it on before the wedding ceremony and remembered during pictures, we looked everywhere! It was eventually found a half hour before our evening ended.

Any advice you’d share for future couples getting married?

Drew: Don’t be stressed!!!!  Everything will be perfect!

Sara: Don’t stress about the little things, the time goes by so fast before you know it everything is over.  Take the time to enjoy your day!

Would you change anything about your day if you could?

Drew & Sara: Not a thing.

What songs did you use for your:

First Dance – "Then" by Brad Paisley

Father/Daughter Dance – "My Little Girl" by Tim McGraw

Mother/Son Dance – "My Endless Love" by Lionel Richie

Grand March – "Happy" by Pharrell Williams

Where did you go (or are you going) for your Honeymoon?   

We will be going on a one year honeymoon/anniversary-someplace much warmer than Wisconsin!

How did you two meet? 

Sara: One of my good friends from high school was on the UW Madison fishing team with Drew.  We met at one of his college parties.

Drew: We met because of my love for fishing!

How long have you been dating?   

Drew: 6 years, 2 months and 18 days (On April 18^th, 2014)

Sara: It still amazes me that on any given day he can figure that out on the spot!

5 words to describe your bride: 

Persistent, loving, passionate, selfless, MINE!

5 words to describe your groom: 

Loving, smart, creative, handsome and sweet!

Who were your Vendors?

Florist – Andrea Frederixon

Caterer – UpstairsDownstairs Catering

Cake Baker – Craig’s Cake Shop

DJ or Band – Sound Solutions Mobile Disc Jockeys (Jim Sienko)

Reception Site – The Barn at Harvest Moon Pond

Ceremony Site – The Barn at Harvest Moon Pond

Any great vendor experiences to share?

Andrea did an amazing job on the bouquets, boutonnieres and corsages, and with such little effort! We knew we didn’t want real flowers since the weather can be unpredictable in March, and they turned out just beautiful!  She really has the talent and creative ideas that made it all come together nicely!  The daffodils we had at the tables and around the barn we bought from Trader Joe’s in Madison.  They fit in so nice with the décor!

Upstairs Downstairs Catering is phenomenal, the food was amazing and they were so easy to work with.  They are all about making it your day-Megan is simply the best!

Craig’s Cake Shop has such delicious cake! We would highly recommend the signature whipped frosting with white chocolate shavings!

Jim with Sound Solutions did a wonderful job with the music! We had people dancing the moment the music started, up until the end of the evening.  People were actually disappointed when we had to call it a night! He also played music for our cocktail hour and had a personalized monogram shining on the walls.

The barn is an amazingly beautiful place, the minute we saw it we fell in love with the idea of our wedding taking place there!  Renee and Gary are the nicest, most down to earth people you will ever meet, and they really care about you and your wedding day.  The most important day of our lives would not have been possible without them!