You won’t steal these beautiful photos that Generation Photography took if you know what’s good for you!!!!!
After the ceremony, our guests went up the hill to the reception tent where they had antipasto and prosecco served to them. Meanwhile, Mike and I snuck off with Joe and Tony to snap a few shots with our wedding party.
Left to Right: Jen {married to Mike’s brother}, Courtney {my “big sister” bff}, Laura {Mike’s sister}, Libby {my cousin}, me {bride}, Emma {Mike’s cousin & flower girl}, Clare {my cousin}, Caitlyn {matron of honor & bff}, and Caroline {my “little sister” bff}
Danny was in cahoots with the photogs to ruin as many nice photos of the girls as possible. Thanks a lot, brother!! Just wait until you get married…
That shrug I’m wearing was knitted by my mom!!!! It was so soft and warm, and best of all I get to wear it again and again. I was pretty bummed about that fact that I’ll never get to wear my wedding dress again, so to have at least part of my wedding outfit be re-wearable is super nice!
Mike’s pocket watch was a gift from his great uncle who lives in Switzerland. He gave it to Mike on the morning of the wedding- a tradition among the men in his family. Mike has been looking forward to getting that watch his whole life.
My veil was made by a woman in our town for $25!! She whipped it up in about 20 min. My mom and I found the tulle and the lace for it at Hancock Fabric. I have no ideas why these things usually cost hundreds of dollars, but I’m sure glad I didn’t spend that on it! It was so beautiful regardless of the lack of brand-name…plus, you wear it for one hour of your life, so…
Great group shot in the beautiful old boat house down by the lake.
Our brothers sign our marriage license, and then it’s time to rejoin our guests up at the tent for some antipasti. Mike is feelin’ good…
The antipasti were made by friends and family and were brought to the wedding pot-luck style {it simply would not have been a true WI/MN party without a pot-luck.} The cheeses and prosecco were selected by Poppy, who {being rather zealous about his Italian heritage} is particular about these things.
Mike with his Grandma– one of my fave photos! Our “photobooth” was a beautiful gazebo that just happened to be located right next to where we put the tent! We filled it with costumes {thankfully our parents hung on to all our old “dress-up clothes” from childhood!} and cameras for our guests to use for funny pictures.
The “keg canoe” was filled with delicious mico-brew beer and root-beer, both made in WI {yes, an actual canoe, filled with ice and kegs.} Mmmmm! Check out the Cutest Family of the Year Award {Mike’s sister, her husband Chris, and their adorable daughter Amelia}. Seriously, how did this photo happen?? It’s so awesome:
Wedding photos of our parents and grandparents lined the welcome table inside the tent where guests could sign the guestbook and pick up their seating card.
The tablecloth on the head table belonged to a close friend’s great-grandmother. It was so beautiful, and meant so much to us that she let us use it.
The table names were places that are meaningful to either Mike or me. I painted them with watercolors and my dad made the stands for them from small cross-cut logs and copper wire.
The burlap and doily table runners were sewed by my mom and her five sisters. Our guests collected doilies from garage sales all summer and mailed them to us to use!!
The maple syrup favors were a big hit with our guests. My family is known for the delicious homemade syrup we make every spring. This particular batch was made in April 2010. Mike’s mom and dad came and helped us tap, collect, boil, and can. Mike designed the “logo” for the bottles.
Our wedding cake was made by my bridesmaid Caroline, who has a real talent for fondant. There is a healthy rivalry between Mike’s Minnesotan family and my Cheesehead family, as you can see… The cake stand was made by my dad and brother. They made about 8 of these stands. The other ones, not pictured, had four different flavors of bunt-cakes on them {made by Mike’s mom!}. They were all delicious and had that fresh homemade taste.
Time to eat!!….Stay tuned for dinner & dancing pictures coming up next.