Emily and Dave are a beautiful couple I met a few years back. Dave describes Emily as warm and welcoming and Emily describes Dave as kind, calm and grounding. A dynamic duo, they first bonded over a fish fry, a true Wisconsin couple. They enjoy venturing out for hikes, hanging with their pup, partnering on remodeling projects and unwinding at a relaxing beer garden in Milwaukee.
I photographed Emily and Dave's engagement session in the special location where Dave proposed...the Milwaukee lakefront near the South Shore beer garden. We wandered around the Lake Michigan shoreline as the sun set against the Milwaukee skyline and got to know each other. Laid back, goofy, and down to earth...exactly the kind of folks I love to work with.
Dave and Emily's wedding landed on a perfect September day. September really is the ideal month for weddings and my calendar typically fills up with lovebirds wanting to snag the warm daytime weather and the crisp evenings that hint at the onset of Autumn.
Emily, her mom and bridesmaids spent the morning at the Brewhouse Inn & Suites. The girls sipped coffee & giggled as they put the finishing touches on their hair and makeup & slipped into their dresses, then moving on to help Emily zip into her wedding gown.
Dave and his gents made their way to St. Augustine Church in Bay View for the ceremony. Hosting a wedding at St. Augustine Church in Milwaukee WI is a great idea if you wish to exchange vows in the beauty of a Catholic church...sprawling ceilings, pillars and stained glass windows...timeless, classic wedding traditions brought to life.
Dave and Emily wanted to keep their wedding day traditional in the sense that they wanted to see each other for the first time as Emily walked down the aisle. Each side of the wedding party finalized their wedding day looks in separate parts of the Church prior to the ceremony starting.
All of Dave's family and friends assembled into the church, awaiting the beginning of the ceremony. Excitement and enthusiasm were palpable as the wedding party lined up for the processional.
The first time that Dave and Emily locked eyes was sweet and tender, a simple KNOWING that they were making the right move in their decision to marry.
The ceremony was a traditional Catholic ceremony, which means that I had time to move about the church finding unique angles and perspectives to document the exchanging of vows, rings and various other sacraments. I love finding the little kids in the audience and zoning in on them during the ceremony... there are typically adorable little moments that make for fantastic images that end up telling the full story of the day.
After the ceremony, Dave and Emily exchanged hugs with their guests and we boarded a trolley to venture out for wedding party portraits at various locations in the greater Milwaukee area. Aboard the trolley, champagne was popped and inside jokes were referenced. Giggles and merriment ensued as we made our way to Lake Park for formal wedding party portraits. Lake Park is such a great location for formal portraits... the staircase, the bridges and the backdrop of Lake Michigan are all stunning!
Back on the trolley, we made a quick pit stop at a vintage inspired wine shop downtown Milwaukee for a few photos and a glass of wine.
Finally, it was time to kick off the reception festivities by joining their guests during cocktail hour at the Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery. Because the couple are craft beer aficionados, it only made sense to incorporate some aspect of this passion into their wedding celebration. An award-winning wedding venue, the Best Place is well equipped and experienced to help wedding couples bring their wedding celebrations to fruition. A highlight for Dave and Emily was the basement speakeasy bar... a unique touch! For couples seeking a venue that boasts historic appeal, the Best Place is fantastic. With original stained glass windows, ornate woodwork and cream city brick, it provides a warm and inviting atmosphere for guests to relax and enjoy the festivities.
Emily selected succulents from her family's greenhouse business to be showcased as centerpieces, which is a lovely nod to her passion for plants!
Emily and Dave went all in on selecting vendors for their reception. Mader's catered the wedding meal and, let me tell you, I eat a lot of wedding food... the filet from Mader's was truly one of the absolute best I've tasted! They chose Simma's Bakery to produce beautiful cheesecakes and dessert bars. Lastly, they hired a mobile espresso bar for their guests to enjoy fresh coffee and espresso drinks after dinner. Another unique touch that I have never seen at a wedding before!
Downtown Milwaukee wedding at Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery
To round out the evening, Dave, Emily & I wandered the cobblestone streets around the iconic Pabst sign and had some fun with some nighttime wedding photos.
It was a joy to be a part of Emily & Dave's wedding celebration and I look forward to more opportunities to celebrate with similar couples at the Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery!
"My husband and I worked with Whimsical Roots for our engagement and our wedding photos. We were both a little nervous going into the engagement pictures, but Andrea made it such a relaxing and fun experience. We felt like we were working with a friend we'd known forever. She captured some great photos of us where we got engaged. On our wedding day Andrea was so accommodating and was sure to capture all of the moments we requested. Our bridal party said the same thing about enjoying working with her. We have so many great photos from the day; I even remember one of our wedding party commented that one of her pictures "is the best picture of me that exists," So it's fair to say that her photos impressed a lot of people, not just us. We're so happy with our decision to work with Andrea, and happy that we have so many great photos to remember our big day." Emily & Dave, wedding at the Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery
Looking for a Milwaukee wedding photographer? I'd love to help you celebrate your best day ever!
Wedding day preparations at the Brewhouse Inn & Suites
A few bridal portraits overlooking the downtown Milwaukee skyline
Final touches before the wedding ceremony at St. Augustine in Bay View
Wedding ceremony at St. Augustine in Bay View, WI
Wedding ceremony at St. Augustine
Traditional Catholic wedding ceremony photos
The wedding party hired a trolley to venture around Milwaukee before heading to Lake Park for formal wedding party portraits
Lake Park Wedding Party Photos
The happy couple popped champagne together before hopping back on the trolley
Wedding reception at the Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery
Mobile espresso bar at wedding
