Southern Weddings

Confession time: After seeing the fun and flirty shots from Jennie + Brian’s July wedding (photographed by SW sponsor Our Labor of Love), we were desperate to feature the red and pink love-fest in our November issue.  The only negative?  Jennie + Brian are not Southerners but Midwestern natives who tied the knot at The Charles Allis Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum in downtown Milwaukee.  Sadness!  But this minor detail wasn’t going to stop us from sharing their awesomely one-of-a-kind celebration with you one way or another, so we hope you enjoy today’s special two-part post!  Hey, while we’re here: take a look at the bride’s sweet tea-length Priscilla of Boston frock, her bridesmaids’ J. Crew dresses and those adorable blooms from Belle Fiori, Ltd.

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story.  We met at a New Year’s Eve party thrown by a few of my good friends. Brian was their new neighbor that they graciously invited because they thought he might not know that many people yet (good job!). When he got to the party, my first thought was: I “Who is that? I’ve never seen him before!” Brian jokes that the only reason I noticed him is because he was the only person in Milwaukee that I didn’t know. While that might have been one reason, it certainly wasn’t the only one. Our friends introduced me to Brian as the one to talk to about getting to know Milwaukee better. I guess it worked!
Describe the proposal: The proposal was perfect (does everyone say that?) in the sense that it was very us. It was a weekday and I had taken the day off because it was my 30^th birthday. No one should have to work on his or her birthday. I was sleeping in, and Brian had gotten up early per usual. Around 9 in the morning, he came in the room to wake me up and wish me a happy birthday with a fresh cup of coffee.  Sigh.  I love coffee.  Then he said “I have something else for you” – and took out the blue box. Ladies, we all know what this box is. VERY EXCITING! And the he asked me to marry him! We hugged and kissed, all while trying not to spill our scalding hot coffee.
Three adjectives that describe the day are: Lovely, personal and simple.
Tell us all the basics of your wedding!  Season, location, venue, time of day, city and state, etc.  Why did you choose these things?  Did any of these things hold special meaning for you as a couple?  Our wedding was held on a warm July evening. I had actually never thought of getting married in the summer since I was always terrified the heat would be unbearable and since no one likes a sweaty bride.  However, we didn’t want to have a terribly long engagement and summer is really quite something in Milwaukee. So summer it was! The ceremony was at 6:30 pm when the sun was still out, but not overpowering, at the Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  The Villa Terrace is set atop a hill overlooking Lake Michigan.  It’s breathtaking.  Originally the residence of a successful local businessman, Lloyd Smith, it is now used as a museum and for events.  Did I mention it is  absolutely breathtaking?!
What was the design inspiration for your wedding?  Why was this design special to you as a couple? We just wanted the wedding to be whimsical, pretty and simple. Personal only to us. I made a couple of inspiration boards (from a style standpoint) in the beginning and just went from there. We wanted to keep it small (75 guests) so we would really be able to celebrate with our closest friends and family.
Favorite design element of your big day: Picking up things I liked and making it all come together.
What was your favorite detail of the wedding: My hot pink Kate Spade shoes! And…my Brian.