I am so, so excited to share with you today, Jessica and Josh's love story and their epic, stunning vintage romantic barn wedding at the Barn at Harvest Moon Pond shot by Reminisce Studios. From a build your own burger and loaded potato bar, a tasty pie station, local Wisconsin micro brews, bags game to a 90's get down dance party, this was a true, authentic celebration that reflected Jessica and Josh's fabulous style. Pretty burgundy and sage paper goods, greenery that flowed down the tables, vintage oil lamps and candles custom made with labor of love by the bride, this couldn't have turned out to be a more stunning of a fall November day.
WEDDING DATE: 11/04/2016
HOW DID YOU AND YOUR HUBBY MEET? Josh and I met at a bar when we were in college. He was in a fraternity and I was in a sorority that hung out with each other alot and we all went out for a mutual friend's birthday party. I introduced myself that night and we hit it off. We dated pretty casually for a few years and then went our separate ways. Two years later, I (Jessica) sent him a text one night just saying, ‘Hi’ out of the blue and we made plans for a date that weekend. We’ve were inseparable after that!
HOW DID YOU KNOW HE WAS "THE ONE"? I cant say that there was ever an “ah-ha! He’s THE ONE!” moment. We had known each other for so long, and when we finally got back together after not speaking for two years, it was just like old times, but even better. We were both older, wiser, and looking to settle down. I guess if I had to pick, I knew he was the one when I brought him home to meet a bunch of my extended family and he fit right in! I knew if he could deal with my crazy, but awesome family, that it was meant to be.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROPOSAL: Josh and I had been talking about getting engaged for a while and had gone ring shopping. Because Josh is a terrible secret keeper, I knew that he had purchased the ring and was waiting for it to come in. I figured that the day when he picked it up, I would automatically know because he would be late coming home from work. One Friday before Christmas, I thought FOR SURE today was the day--until he came home super early from work. I was feeling a bit bummed figuring it wasn't going to happen and I wasn't sure how much longer I would have to wait.
I was sitting on our couch and he walked over to me with this really weird smile on his face. He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him in our living room with our fur babies present. It’s not anything magical or spectacular, but it is very us and it was perfect.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR DRESS: I got my dress at Vera’s House of Bridals in Madison. The dress was an A-line gown with a sweetheart neckline with lace appliques covering the entire bodice and a crystal belt. The bottom of the dress was made with tulle and featured a beautiful pleated layer as well as a chapel length train. I purchased it in french beige and I was obsessed with the color of the dress. It was definitely a little more formal than I was originally looking for since I knew we were getting married at the barn, but once I tried it on I knew it was, “the one."
DESCRIBE YOUR WEDDING FLOWERS: My flowers were done by my incredibly talented co-worker, Emily Kunaschk, who also is a florist on the side with her business partner for Belles and Thistles. I wasn't too particular about my flowers and really gave Emily creative freedom. She used succulents in the bridal bouquet and for the boutonnieres. It was a nice touch because I got to plant the succulents from my bouquet after the wedding since she kept the roots on them. She also somehow managed to find peonies in the beginning of November! It was one of those flowers I told her I loved but knew there was no way she could get her hands on at the time of the wedding--I was pleasantly surprised to see my bouquet!
She used seeded eucalyptus down the center of the tables to mix in with the vintage oil lanterns and candles I made. It was pretty magical.
WERE THERE ANY PERSONAL TOUCHES OR DIY ELEMENTS: I DIY’d almost ALL of the 250+ candles that we had at our reception. I took countless trips to thrift stores in the Milwaukee area scouring for neat clear glass containers and candle holders. I had just started a new job at the beginning of the year that was very stressful, so I made all of the candles in my kitchen over the summer and it was very therapeutic for me.
My cousin's wife, Katie started a wedding invitation business called Pine and Ink who created our beautiful custom wedding suite! She even made a few editable pieces and I made a Quaker marriage certificate for our guests to sign using her beautiful art.
We tried to add most of our personal touches through our food and beverage choices. We kept it pretty casual with a build your own burger bar for dinner and opted for pie instead of cake. Josh and I aren't fussy people, so it seemed strange for either of us to have your typical “fancy wedding food." We wanted it to be fun, memorable, and something that appeals to the masses. Also, neither of us really like cake and you seriously can't go wrong with pie from the Norske Nook. SO. GOOD.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE MOMENT FROM YOUR WEDDING? ALL OF IT! Seriously. It was awesome! But if I have to pick--I think I would choose either the pictures before the ceremony or our first dance. We didn't have a wedding party, so the picture time was mostly just us and the photographer--it was nice to spend an hour or so alone with one another before the ceremony. We also ate lunch together that day too and both of those things really helped calm down both of our nerves.
Josh and I have an unusual love for Bruce Springsteen--Josh is the one who got me into it, so we found an awesome cover of, "Dancing in the Dark," which is “our song”. We dance to that song sometimes in our living room after a few glasses of wine, so it brought back a lot of memories of our relationship during our first dance. We were both starting to feel pretty awkward about everyone staring at us, so we pulled out our best Courtney Cox and Bruce dance moves and finished the song.
Lake Chelan Wedding Planner - Wildbird Weddings + Co | Officiant – Shawn Slawson, a personal friend | Ceremony & Reception Location – The Barn at Harvest Moon Pond | Bridal Gown - Vera’s House of Bridals | Groom’s Attire - Men's Wearhouse | Hair & Makeup – Be Inspired Salon | Jewelry / Accessories – Veil - Specially Hers / Necklace was bride's maternal grandmother's | Floral – Belles and Thistles | Cake / Confections – Norske Nook | Invitations / Stationery / Signage – Pine and Ink | Photographer – Reminisce Studios | Caterer – Blue Plate Catering | DJ / Reception Entertainment – Midwest Sound | Transportation – Kobussen