Sarah + Matthew
July 2, 2023 / Racine, Wisconsin
How did your love story begin?: Matt & I met in high school, but never dated until we reconnected just over two years ago. We went out to catch up, which turned out to be a first date and have been inseparable every since. One of our favorite dates was to get tacos to go and have a picnic down on the lake shore. One random Wednesday last summer I decided it was a perfect night for a taco picnic and Matt decided it was a perfect time to propose! He had already secured the approval of my daughter so it was an instant yes. For our wedding, we knew we wanted to get married within a year and make it about the forming of our family, Matt, our daughter (16) and me, not just us as a couple. Our approach was, if it’s not fun we’re not doing it! We wanted to enjoy our family and friends with no stress. So we planned early and fast, so we could enjoy our engagement to the fullest!
What was your vision for your wedding?: I had no idea where to start with a wedding theme. Throughout the planning process, our joke was that our vision was “we’ll pay extra to do no work!” What took shape was a classic, little bit fancy, celebration. We highly valued convenience in our venue, so we went with a location that could support everything from staying and getting ready on site, the ceremony and reception location and decor, to the food. We found almost all of our vendors through our Coordinator at the Covenant, Sydney. Our photographer I found on instagram and it was an immediate connection with her content that hooked us. The most important thing to us was that everyone had the best time. That led to choices like a sweetheart table and mixed table sizes to get creative in making sure the right people got to sit together and that no one was a seat filler. For us, the music, food and photography was also super important. Flowers less so, or so I thought, but the beautiful work of our florist brought all of our details together. With the guidance and support of our vendors, we ended up with a glam wedding that was an unique mix of bold colors and a little moody, with touches of gold and pearls throughout.
Tell us all about your wedding dress!: Dress shopping was a blast but I realized after my first go that I was WAY more stressed about it then I realized. I had about ten months to get my dress and the timelines were so intimidating to me. I thought I knew exactly what I wanted going in, sleeveless, A line, classic. We found a gorgeous dress that felt so good in the moment but also felt like if I didn’t decide that day I would miss my opportunity. I bought it and had almost instant regret. The more I thought about it, the more I realized I didn’t feel like me in the dress. So I waited another month, did more research, planned more of our wedding and then realized the original dress didn’t match the event we were planning at all! I went back to Strike for round two. Took all the boundaries off myself and my stylist, Theresa the real MVP! I learned I loved texture and a dress I could twirl. I ended up that day with Cattleya by Aleena Leena. Square neck, beautifully embossed fabric, floaty lightweight, and pockets! I’m still obsessed with that dress. It was so perfect and so me as a bride. I matched it with the Harlow Veil, cathedral length. It was perfection. I added the geranium drop earrings by Untamed Petals and my look was complete! I wanted to look and feel like me on our wedding day and Strike helped me find it!
You planned and you planned, but how did the day ACTUALLY go?!: Leading up to the wedding we skipped a rehearsal dinner and held an I Do BBQ instead. It gave us an opportunity to have all our family together, many had traveled in and never met previously. Giving the family and our bridal party time to hang out and get to know each other made the wedding extra fun. Our day was a dream. I have been a bridesmaid many times, so there were certain this I was quite focused on. For instance, we didn’t want any activities day of that required transportation, we did want a place to relax and step away from the madness if we needed it, and we required snacks! Our venue had a beautiful Airbnb attached that we rented and had an amazing space for our wedding party to hang out, get ready, the littles could nap or relax, and most importantly everyone ate lunch! We started the day at ten with hair, makeup, coffee and mimosa bar. All the people se love most we’re with us throughout the day and helping us to achieve a stress free day. We had many traditional elements like my dad walking me down the aisle and classic vows, but we also left a lot of traditions behind. We skipped favors, the something blue, no bouquet or garter toss, we didn’t do father/daughter with bride or mother/son dances, and best of all no clinking for kisses! The reception was full of special moments like our daughter’s amazing speech sharing her joy and love for our family. This was the moment she told all our people that Matt was her dad now and they’d be making it official through adoption. Nothing could top that moment but the father daughter dance, featuring my husband and daughter came close! One of the best activities was the digital Photo Booth! Guests of all ages had a blast taking photos all night. We ended up with over 500 pictures in the album! We had four flower girls that had the time of their lives and kept the dance floor going until the very end. Another incredible part of our wedding was that my older brother officiated. He gave us the most beautiful ceremony and message we could have ever hoped for. Not a dry eye in the house. Our vendors were incredible. We had literally no hiccups. We also had a friend act as personal attendant and manage vendors, tips, schedules, and helped with getting wedding party and family where they needed to be all day. It made the experience better for EVERYONE.
What is your best advice for future brides-to-be?: My best advice would he figure out your budget and prioritize vendors/spending categories to at are most important to you and your fiancé before you start visits or meetings. Surround yourselves with people that love you and will protect your peace throughout. Have my BFF act as personal attendant literally changed the day for the whole wedding party and gave us so much freedom to have no worries. Each lunch and take breaks. You’re asking a lot of yourself and your people on your wedding day. Give everyone grace and food! The tip I’m most thankful for was to build in breaks that my husband and I could spend alone and away from the rest of the action. We took a few minutes several times throughout the day and night to revel in the fact we’re married! And to just be happy in love. We’ll always treasure those moments.
Vendors:
Dress: Cattleya by Alena Leena via Strike Bridal Bar
Venue: The Covenant at Murray Mansion
Photographer: Amanda Ketterhagen Photography
Tailor: Sarah Turbo
Hair + Makeup: Made You Blush, Sarah Bradley
Dessert: Nothing Bundt Cakes
Wedding Cake: Mia Stav Cakes
DJ: Silver Spoon Entertainment - Ron Bailey
Florals: Buttercup Bouquets
