Jennifer & Pravin- Married!

   Often times when I photograph a wedding I find myself seated at a table amongst the bride and grooms friends & family. I've met some wonderful people this way.. from all different walks of life. Inevitably during dinner someone will ask "what's the craziest wedding you've ever photographed?" or "what was your favorite wedding you've ever photographed?" From today on I know with certainty how I will answer that second question.. Jennifer & Pravin's wedding.

   Now don't get me wrong.. I'm not one to play favorites, really I'm not. I love the variety I see at weddings.. how each couple incorporates their own personalities into the details of their day. It's like walking through the pages of a bridal magazine each and every time. But when you put together two of the sweetest, funniest people I've ever met, beautiful details, a carousel ride, goats, giraffes and donuts.. it's really hard to compete. At this point you're probably asking yourself.. did I read that write? Goats? Yes, you read it right. Jennifer & Pravin had their wedding reception at the Henry Vilas Zoo and it was nothing short of spectacular. I honestly lost count of how many wedding guests I heard comment in passing conversation "this is the BEST wedding ever!". With a cocktail hour that allowed their guests to wander the zoo seeing animals up close and personal or riding the carousel and train.. there was something to please everyone in attendance. 

  I had a seriously hard time narrowing this post down to a reasonable number of images.. cause I just wanted to share all of the amazingness with you. Jennifer & Pravin... what can I say? I ADORE you! Honestly... you two are the most genuine, adorable, absolutely hilarious individuals I've ever met. You are so perfectly suited to one another, it's hard to imagine there was ever a time when you were not together. I wish you both all the best as you navigate this life creating new adventures and sharing laughter all along the way. 

All my love - Jennifer

FAVORITE

FAVORITE!

Such beautiful sisters....

A tearful first meeting before the ceremony.

So you have to view these next two images while humming the "Hail to the Chief" song to really enjoy their full impact. Did Pravin really walk down the aisle to the President's song?? Oh yes he did.. and it was CLASSIC!

 

 

it's official.. MR & MRS 

FAVORITE

 

Ahhh.. so cool... and Jennifer's smile never quit!

 

A selfie with a goat? Yup.. that happened. 

What was the most memorable part of your day?

Seeing each other the first time, and marrying my best friend.

What is your funniest memory from your wedding day?

High giving spontaneously during ceremony;
Feeding goats and them eating flowers;
Carousel and high fiving everyone;
Hail to the chief entry for Pravin.

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

Enjoy the day and realize its only a small part of the rest of your life.

Would you change anything about your day if you could?

Nothing! Even the rain made it perfect!

What songs did you use for your:

First Dance – "Don't Stop Believing" as performed by Glee

Father/Daughter Dance &  Mother/Son Dance  – "Wildflowers" by Tom Petty

Grand March – "Forever" by Chris Brown

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

Fiji and New Zealand.

How did you two meet?

On Match.com, a blind date at a wedding.

How long have you been dating?

5 years in May, so roughly 4.5 years.

5 words to describe your bride:

Passionate, beautiful, happy, smart, friendly.

5 words to describe your groom:

Hilarious, intelligent, generous, cuddly, awesome

Who were your Vendors?

Florist – Nancy Acker Skolaski (aunt)

Cake Baker – Greenbush Bakery

DJ or Band – Celebrations 

Reception Site – Henry Vilas Zoo

Ceremony Site - First Unitarian Society 

Any great vendor experiences to share?

Loved them all!

Emily & Colin- Married!

There was a rhythm to the air in the room.. as the dj spun his beats and the lights flashed and spun around the dance floor. The drinks were flowing and it was shaping up to be the perfect night out with friends. It was then that Emily spotted him across the dance floor. The tall stranger dancing amongst the crowd with all the moves.. or so he thought! Emily found herself giggling and then outright laughing at the absurdity of his moves. Perhaps it was the electric energy of a night out with friends.. or perhaps it was a little liquid motivation.. but Emily decided this was her chance to improve the dance world as a whole. She made her way through the crowd with intentions of asking this fun loving man who considered himself a dancer to stop, to quit hurting the poor dance floors feelings.  Funny such a simple four letter word - S T O P... I'm sure neither of them could have realized all that those four little words would start. 

Emily & Colin - much love headed your way! Your energy and enthusiasm for life is infectious. It was an honor and an absolute blast sharing your wedding day with you. Congratulations again!

LOVE this mother - daughter moment

 

I mean seriously?!? How many photographers get to start their wedding day with a pillow fight? 

The gorgeous bride...

 

Due to rain their rooftop Monona Terrace wedding was moved inside the Inn on the Park

Loved these girls!

 

the guys weren't too shabby either...

the rain held off just long enough for us to get outside for a few photos

 

Lucky for me Emily & Colin had chosen a beautiful venue to work with in a 'rainy' situation

 

What was the most memorable part of your day?

Emily: Seeing Colin for the first time as I was walking down the aisle and my dad’s speech!

Colin: Watching Emily walk down the aisle with her dad.

What is your funniest memory from your wedding day?

It was hilarious when Colin and I were dancing together to “Swing” by Savage and all of our wedding guests made a circle around us.

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

Your wedding day is literally the most fun day of your life.  Enjoy every minute of it!

Would you change anything about your day if you could?

It was unfortunate that it rained, but we ended up having a beautiful day.  We wouldn’t change a thing.

What songs did you use for your:

First Dance –  You Are the Best Thing by Ray LaMontagne

Father/Daughter Dance – Stand By Me by Ben E. King

Mother/Son Dance – Stand By Me by Ben E. King

Grand March – The Chicago Bulls opening song and “Something’s Coming Over” by OAR.

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

We are going on a Southern Caribbean Cruise over Christmas.

How did you two meet?

We met at a bar dancing.  Long story short, we are really great dancers.

How long have you been dating?

We have been together for a little over 4 ½ years.

5 words to describe your bride:

Caring

Supportive

Beautiful

Loving

Smart

5 words to describe your groom:

Handsome

Generous

Thoughtful

Loving

Perfect

Who were your Vendors?

Florist – Courtney Pilman at Trellis

Cake Baker – Craig’s Cakes in Verona

DJ or Band – Joe Mueller from Capital Sound DJs

Reception Site –  Best Western Inn on the Park downtown Madison

Any great vendor experiences to share?

We would recommend all of our vendors to couples getting married!  Everything turned out beautifully and everyone at our wedding said it was an amazing time!  The Inn on the Park was very accommodating when we had to make last-minute changes and have our ceremony at a room there instead of our original outdoor space.

Amy & Nick

There are some venues I'm lucky enough to photograph at that I think.. yeah, I could be happy photographing only weddings at this location for months on end. Lake Windsor Country Club is one of those unique venues. The staff is incredible, the location beautiful and no matter the date or season.. they always seem to have the sweetest couples getting married there. Amy & Nick are certainly no exception. There is a confident, comfortable love shared by these two.. the kind of love that has seen it's  ups & it's downs and traversed them all. Nine years together will do that for a relationship. Yet when their eyes met for the first time on their wedding day.. it was as if their love were 3 months young.. a giddy anticipation to close that small gap between and end up wrapped in each others arms. 

 Amy & Nick I'm thrilled that our paths crossed and I was able to witness your love first hand. Congratulations again on a most beautiful day.. and best wishes always!

  

-Jennifer

 

 

I had to steal Amy away briefly in the hotel lobby.. the light was so pretty. 

  

 

Mr. Handsome ;)

 

Such a gorgeous setting....

 

Hand binding tradition & yet another beautifully officiated ceremony by James Engmann

What could be better then high fives on your way down the aisle???

Ahhh.. you two or so stinking adorable!

Favorite!

Couldn't resist having a little fun with Amy & Nick's twin nephews...

Bravo! Well done on the maid of honor speech... 

 

Seriously could not have asked for a more perfect sky to close out our photos for the day!

What was the most memorable part of your day?

Nick- The moment that was most memorable for me was the first moment I saw Amy in her wedding dress.  She saw me and started to cry, I remember her looking the most beautiful I have ever seen her.

Amy- Getting to Lake Windsor, seeing everything set up and realizing this day had finally come. Also, seeing Nick and no longer being able to hold in my emotions. 

What is your funniest memory from your wedding day?

Nick-  When the officiant called my wife Amus. 

Amy- When the officiant called me Amus.

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

Nick- It’s not going to go perfect, but that is ok.  It’s wonderful being surrounded by people you love and sharing the moments.

Amy-  Don't stress out too much and remain calm. Take time to enjoy the day.

Would you change anything about your day if you could?

Amy/Nick-Nothing.  As far as we were concerned, it was perfect!

What songs did you use for your:

First Dance –  "When You Say Nothing At All" - Alison Krauss

Father/Daughter Dance-  "Little Miss Magic" – Jimmy Buffett

Mother/Son Dance - "Briar and the Rose" – Tom Waits

Grand March - "Hot Hot Hot" – Buster Poindexter

Where did you go for your Honeymoon?

We went to Florida –Ft. Myers Beach/Port Charlotte

How did you two meet?

Nick- We met in college; I was (supposed to be) studying for an exam. I heard some noise coming from my friends dorm room, I walked in and there she was.

How long have you been dating?

9 Years

Who were your Vendors?

Florist – Buffo Floral

Cake Baker – Craig’s Cakes

DJ or Band – High Energy DJ’s

Reception  & Ceremony Site – Lake Windsor

Photo booth - Beyond the Booth

Any great vendor experiences to share?

We loved all of our vendors. It was nice that they knew each other and had developed great business relationships in the past.   We just benefited from it.  Lindsay at Lake Windsor was amazing and was really fun to work with.