wedding at The Hilltop in Spring Green, Wisconsin | Anna and Nick

bride and groom dancing at the Hilltop Spring Green wedding

It’s Anna’s and Nick’s wedding day. I just arrived to Hilltop wedding venue in Spring Green, Wisconsin. And get out of my air conditioned car at the bottom of the hill to snap couple opening images of the wedding signage. It’s really humid outside. As a result, my lens immediately is covered with condensation. I wait few minutes for my photo equipment to adjust to outside temperature. While doing so, I look around. Sun is nowhere to be seen, hiding behind the thick blanket of fast moving grey clouds. Immediately I can tell the storm is coming. And even though things are about to get rainy, I know it’s going to be an awesome wedding day at the Hilltop.

wedding sign the entrance to Hilltop, Spring Green
groom talking to his brother at Steampunk Manor in Spring Green, Wisconsin
Hilltop Spring Green wedding photographer
documentary wedding photographer Madison, WI
Hilltop Spring Green wedding photographer
bride’s mother and sister bustling wedding dress and smiling

Few things make Hilltop a an extraordinary wedding venue. First, is the location. Wedding venue located on the top of the hill within couple miles famous from Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin. Therefore there’s no surprise that it has just a stunning views of Driftless Wisconsin, as Taliesin itself.

Second thing what makes this venue very special, is amount and diversity of the buildings property. Originally built as a camp for youth, property contains variety of different type buildings scattered over few acres and different elevations. Many former campers, “Hilltoppers”, well familiar with the beauty and special magic that Hilltop holds chose to be married at Hilltop long before Hilltop was formally made available for weddings.

rainy wedding day at the Hilltop venue in Spring Green, Wisconsin
rain dripping on the porch at the Hilltop in Spring Green

Sooner or later it is going to rain. It’s just a matter of time.

Rain starts shortly after I arrive and continues well into the getting ready part. An hour or so go by. I am scouting for first look location when I notice rain starting to slow down.

All of a sudden, just like it started, rain is gone.

bride and groom hugging during the first look in Hilltop venue in Spring Green, Wisconsin

There’s still an occasional rain droplet in the air when Anna steps outside the for the first look. Nick meets her near flower garden in between Ceremony on the Hill and the Terrace.

Shortly after the first look, wedding guests start show up. Everybody gathers on the top of the hill where wedding ceremony will be held under the enormous 100+ year old Catalpa tree.

Hilltop Spring Green wedding photographer
Hilltop Spring Green wedding photographer
wedding ceremony at the Hilltop, Spring Green, Wisconsin
wedding ceremony photography in Hilltop, Spring Green, Wisconsin
bride and groom walking away after the wedding ceremony in Hilltop, Spring Green

Ana’s and Nick’s wedding ceremony has everything wedding ceremony needs. It’s sweet and short. It has some tears and lots of smiles. It also is happening on the top of the world with stunning views of Driftless Wisconsin.

As soon as wedding ceremony is over, all wedding attendees and witnesses are asked to sign Quaker wedding certificate. I sign it as well.

Afterwards cocktails and hors d’oeuvre hour kick in. While everybody enjoys festivities, we snap few more bride’s and groom’s wedding portraits.

Hilltop Spring Green wedding photographer
wedding guests walking to the dance building at Hilltop in Spring Green

After the dinner everyone walks to dance pavilion nearby.

It’s getting dimmer. Path to dance pavilion is illumined by tiki torches. Dance floor lights up and first dance kicks off real festivities.

Someone grabs a mic and is singing rap song. Crowd is going wild. Someone is passing wine bottle around the dancefloor.

Everybody’s having a good time.

After all, it’s all that matters.

bride and groom dancing at their wedding in Hilltop wedding venue in Spring Green, Wisconsin
Hilltop Spring Green wedding photography
Portrait of bride and groom at the Hilltop, Spring Green wedding
documentray Hilltop Spring Green wedding photographer
family member signing a rap song at the Hilltop, Spring Green wedding
Wedding guests dancing at the Hilltop Spring Green wedding
Hilltop Spring Green wedding photographer
Hilltop Spring Green wedding venue at night

 See full gallery from Anna’s and Nick’s wedding in The Hilltop, Spring Green, Wisconsin >>HERE<<.


Thanks a bunch for making so far and reading Anna’s and Nick’s love story and checking out images from their The Hilltop, Spring Green, Wisconsin wedding!
If you’re planning your upcoming wedding and looking for documentary wedding photographer, shoot me a message! I would love to be part of your wild adventure! Madison, Wisconsin based, but available to travel if needed.

HILLTOP SPRING GREEN WEDDING VENDORS:

Ceremony /Reception:
The Hilltop
Men Getting Ready: Steampunk Manor
Catering: Rooted Spoon Culinary
Wedding Date:
July 20, 2019

about my wedding photography style and philosophy behind it

guests falling on the wet dance floor in Prevailing Winds lodge wedding

what’s my wedding photography style and philosophy behind it?

I talked in detail what are the most common wedding photography styles and what are their pros and cons in previous posts. This article will explain what is my photography style and will dig into I do things the way I do. I will also also include image examples from the wedding I’ve photographed in the past.

I specialize in a wedding photojournalism, also known as documentary wedding photography. During this style of wedding photography coverage, I do not control or manipulate the scenes that I am witnessing. I approach wedding day events without predefined judgment. I take whatever life throws at me and make wedding story out of it.

Below is some wedding photojournalism principles I follow and my reasoning behind them.

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I won’t tell you where to stand or what to do

Seriously, I won’t. If you’ll ask me for some guidance, I will definitely help you out. But I will do my best to not interrupt your wedding day thoughts and happenings in any way. It’s you day. I am there document it with my camera, not to be part of your memories.

wedding photographer philosophy: I won't touch or move things around while groom is getting ready with bride's picture dressed up in other room

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I won’t touch or move things around.

It’s pretty straightforward: if I do, I start creating my own story. It’s your day. It’s your story. No touching!

Maybe there is not story behind why this banana was left on the wows. But maybe there is. And I am fine with “maybe”. And if I am right, I just captured an image that will trigger your smile every time you see it. And if I am wrong, well, I’m wrong.

types of wedding photography-wedding photojournalism: banana fruit is laying on top of brides wedding vows

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I won’t create my version of your story.

Why should I? It’s your wedding day, it’s your story!

an example of wedding photojournalism: flower girls are very excited about bride and groom

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I won’t boss you around.

I will be there with you but I will stay quiet. I will observe and listen, but I won’t really talk unless asked to do so. I will let you experience and enjoy those intimate and genuine moments of your magic day.

wedding photography style: photojournalism. Gay couple standing on Madison Children’s Museum rooftop and enjoying private moment

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I will let you be true you.

Seriously. It’s YOUR wedding day ! You are surrounded by people who love you most. And you (hopefully) won’t be judged for who you are. So why pretend to be someone you are not? Be yourself, I’ve got your back!
Let’s have a fucking party like there’s no tomorrow!!!

wedding photography style: photojournalism. four adult people doing shots from shot ski______________

I hope you like my wedding photography style and wedding photojournalism is wedding photography style you are looking for. If you have any questions or interest in my services, do not hesitate shoot me a message via contact links below or check out commonly asked questions in my FAQ page. Give me a shout! I would love to be part your your wedding day!

Persian University club wedding | Nika and Sam

bride and groom kissing during tradition Persian wedding ceremony

University club wedding with Persian traditions

Nika and Sam met at a frozen yogurt shop in Iowa City, Iowa. But we’d both be telling a little bit of a white lie, if we started the story there. We found each other on Tinder, the online dating app, and both swiped right. Nika cancelled their second date, blaming it on “tests” and “exams” for dental school. Sam, on the other hand, just assumed that it was over. Needless to say, it was false alarm and couple fell in love shortly after that.

To Sam, Nika was and is the most generous, caring, and supportive person he ever met. Also, as he grew to know her more, along with her family, Sam realized special they all were. After all, marriage isn’t just between two people- there’s a family and network of friends, too.

It’s a pleasure to be able to trust and hold someone, knowing you both have shared this commitment to take on life’s journey- together.

As Nika and Sam are approaching their first-year wedding, they think the biggest change is in comfort with each other. While couple felt close before, they’re feel even more now. Sam notes, that it’s a pleasure to be able to trust and hold someone, knowing he have shared this commitment to take on life’s journey- together.

grooms wedding wows folded on a bed in the Best Western Premier Park hotel room in Madison, Wisconsin groomsmen rehearsing speeches in Best Western Premier Park hotel's hallway in Madison, WI bride’s Persian aunt smiling during getting ready in Hyatt Madison, Wisconsin bride and bridesmaids walking up the stairs before the wedding ceremony mother and father of the Persian bride tearing up during wedding ceremony groom tearing up during wedding ceremony in Wisconsin State CapitolPersian-American bride laughing during wedding ceremony in Wisconsin State Capitol bride and groom holding hands during wedding ceremony in Wisconsin State Capitol bride and groom having a quiet moment after wedding ceremony bridal party laughing outside of Wisconsin State Capitol wedding officiator holding flowers outside of Wisconsin State Capitol

 

For initial wedding consultation I’ve met Nika and Sam in my photography studio in Madison, Wisconsin. They left me with an impression of super relaxed, honest and very much down-to-earth couple. And down-to-earth they were.

Sam and Nika’s wedding day couple had two wedding ceremonies. First one in State Capitol’s second floor, overlooking rotunda. And a second one, Persian wedding ceremony, at The University Club later same day.

Ceremony in State Capitol was attended by just immediate family and a bridal party. And the rest of the wedding guests showed up for the Persian wedding ceremony in The University Club. And Persian wedding ceremony was the one that I was looking forward to the most.

Why? Just because photographing Persian wedding ceremony is something I’ve never done before. Also, because it had many exciting parts in it. Parts like Like Sofreh Aghd (centerpiece of a Persian wedding), Kaleh Ghadn (sugar shower), Asal (honey exchange), Raghshé Chaghoo (playful knife dance) etc. This video has some good explanations of Persian wedding traditions.

Sam’s article named “Loving in the time of Trump” was published in Isthmus magazine two days before the wedding day.

 

bride’s reflection in mirror during Persian wedding ceremony in The University Club bride and groom kissing during tradition Persian wedding ceremony outdoors portrait of bride and groom during University Club wedding bride playing with her niece and making up funny face wedding portrait of bride and groom in front of the University Club in Madison, Wisconsin candid picture of the bride and groom walking after their University Club wedding ceremony Persian bride playing with her nephew during wedding reception in University Club, Madison, Wisconsin guests dancing at the Persian wedding reception in University Club, Madison, Wisconsin Persian bride and groom being greeted by wedding guests during University Club wedding reception bride’s sister performing Raghshé Chaghoo playful knife dance Persian bride and groom tasting the wedding cake at University Club wedding wedding couple hugging a guest at the University Club wedding reception girl with face covered in chocolate after eating desert at the The University Club, Madison, Wisconsin bride and groom listening to speeches during their Persian wedding in University Club father of the groom and farther of the bride tearing up during wedding speeches bride and groom embracing during the first dance at University Club wedding reception Persian bride dancing with her dad at University Club wedding reception Persian-American mother of the bride dancing at the University Club wedding reception bride and groom dancing with guests at the University Club wedding reception night time exterior picture of University Club in Madison, Wisconsin

 

 See full gallery from Nika’s and Sam’s University club Persian wedding >>HERE<<.

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Thanks a bunch for stopping by, reading Nika’s and Sam’s love story and checking out their University Club  wedding images! I am an award-winning documentary wedding photographer.

If you’re planning your upcoming wedding and leaning towards wedding photojournalism, shoot me a message! I would love to be part of your adventure! I currently am based in Madison, Wisconsin, but available to travel nationwide/ worldwide if needed.

 

PERSIAN UNIVERSITY CLUB WEDDING VENDORS:

Wedding Ceremony 1: Wisconsin State Capitol
Ceremony 2/Reception:
The University Club
Flowers/Boutonnieres: Bought at Metcalfe’s. designed by Nika’s dad
Bride’s Shoes: Nina Bridal Shoes
Groom’s Shoes: Allen Edmonds
Bridesmaid Dresses:
BHLDN And Watters
Groom’s and Groomsmen Suits: Bonobos
DJ: Komlan from C’est La Vie
Wedding Cake: Madison Sourdough Co.
Centerpieces: handmade by Nika’s dad
Hotel: Best Western Premier Park
Honeymoon: Pacific Northwest (Seattle and Portland)
Wedding Date:
June 16, 2018

Gatherings On The Ridge Barn Wedding

Bride and groom kissing after wedding ceremony in Gatherings On The Ridge barn

Gatherings On The Ridge Barn Wedding in Eastman, WI

Gatherings On The Ridge barn in Eastman, WI is just over 100 miles away from Madison WI where I currently reside. It’s located in a heart of Driftless Wisconsin– area that was never touched by glaciers. Limestone bedrock valleys, rolling hills and streams scattered through beautifully sculpted topography make this 2-hour drive worthwhile.

Laura and Ryan was one of my favorite couples I got to hangout with this past season. Honest, real, down to earth and crazy excited about their upcoming wedding.

They both worked hard and dedicated quite a bit of their time for their wedding day planning in order to make it look unique. By having strong team of good helping hands made out of friends and family members they were able to delegate some of their wedding planning tasks.

That Saturday at the Gatherings On The Ridge barn wedding was one of more memorable events for me from 2016. Weather was truly perfect- partly cloudy with mild breeze and temperature in low 80’s. Laura and Ryan both were full of emotions and good kind of anxiety. Groom saw the bride first time when she was walking down the isle with her dad and shed a nice manly tear. Ryan gets a big high five for that!

Their wedding ceremony was short and sweet. I managed to make a deal with Kyle (Laura’s brother who officiated wedding wedding) to get behind bridal party and shoot the first kiss picture in somewhat non-traditional angle. Yay!

Florence And The Machine’s Dog Days Are Over was the song that kicked off Laura’s and Ryan’ first dance later that night. While being big fans of this band they made sure they incorporate that fact into their wedding day-another small detail that made it more special.

Laura and Ryan didn’t have a DJ at their Gatherings On The Ridge barn wedding. But they had a Spotify playlist made by Laura’s dad Bobby, a retired DJ and vinyl store employee. And while I’ve seen failures in cases like this (dance floor with no DJ or band sometimes in not a good dance floor) that night it wasn’t the case. Crowd went crazy while music magically managed itself (with occasional supervisions by dedicated guest). And when fog machine and lasers kicked in it became clear again that they nailed to perfection yet one more part of the wedding day. Bravo!
Do things right or bust, mavefakas!

P.S. I still can’t figure how these two did it. While residing in Portland, OR, they managed to find a wedding venue 4 hours away from their parent’s house in Western Illinois, get ice-cream from Milwaukee WI, bring in boutonnieres made in California, find an amazing catering company in the middle of nowhere and pick up centerpiece rentals from my favorite wedding rental place in Madison.

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Note regarding the Gatherings on the Ridge barn: due to the lack of insulation, building is not suited well for 4 season weddings as it’s not insulated. But for 3 seasons (maybe 2.5) it’s one helluva amazing wedding venue full of character, history, interesting textures and amazing light.

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To see full gallery from Laura’s and Ryan’s Gatherings On The Ridge barn wedding in Eastman, Wisconsin, please see click >>HERE<<.

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random TV channel is showing guy lifting weightsgroomsmen are brushing teeth in hotel room in Country Inn & suites by Carlson in Prairie du Chien, WIgroomsmen are getting ready Country Inn & suites by Carlson hotel in Prairie du Chien, WIgroom’s sister is reading grooms wows and tearing upGroom is laughing and having a good timegroomsmen taking whiskey shots in hotel room before leaving for the ceremonybride Laura is opening a bottle of champagne and laughing hard in hotel roombride's wows sketch left on a chair with banana on top of it bridesmaids are helping the bride to put the wedding dress onbride is tearing up surrounded by her bridesmaid s in a hotel roomgroom and groomsmen doing silly posing in front of the hotelgroomsmen getting on the buss for departure to the ceremony at the Gatherings on the Ridge barnmound in Prairie du Chien, WI with dark skies groom standing on the barn balcony in Gatherings on the ridge and overlooking the fieldgroomsmen getting their boutonnieres pinned ingroom is being escorted to the bathroom in order to avoid seeing bride before the ceremonybest man is inspecting the wedding rings little girl is hiding under the big mom's scarf in ceremony room in Gatherings on the Ridge Groom and groomsmen are waiting in barn balcony for the wedding ceremony to beginbride is reading her wows in solitude in small room at the Gatherings on the Ridge barn before the wedding ceremony beginsbride is laughing and hugging with Dani, owner of Greasy Spoon catering company based in Viroqua, WIwedding guests anxiously waiting for the wedding ceremony to begin at the Gatherings on the Ridge barnclothing behind grooms back is showing 4:35pmgroom is having a moment with his mothergroom is walking his mother down the isle during wedding ceremony at the Gatherings on the Ridge barnflower girls is walking down the isle during wedding ceremony at the Gatherings on the Ridge barn groom is anxiously waiting for the bride to walk down the islesilhouettes behind the closed doo belongs to bride and her father bride and her father are walking down the isle at the Gatherings on the Ridge barngroom is kissing the bride after the wedding ceremonybride and groom are walking away after the wedding ceremony at the Gatherings on the Ridge barnbride and groom are hugging after the wedding ceremonygrooms mother is greeting the newlywedsgrooms grandfather is impersonating the groom by wearing black fake mustache bridesmaid is sharing her cocktails with a groomhard light on bride’s niece’s face during wedding receptionbride and groom are laughing while wedding guests are applauding and is congratulating them bride Laura is hugging her maid of honorgroom is tearing up during the wedding speeches bride and grooms hands together during wedding dinner reception and speechesbride’s tattoo that says “que cera cera” being lit by sunset light at the Gatherings on the Ridgebride and groom portrait on at the Gatherings on the Ridge barn during golden hourgroom making funny face while eating wedding cakebride and groom during their first dance dancing to the Florence and the Machine song Cosmic Lovebride and groom during their first dance dancing to the Florence and the Machine song Cosmic Lovebride and groom during their first dance dancing to the Florence and the Machine song Cosmic Love wedding guests dancing on the dance floor during the reception at the Gatherings on the Ridge barnwedding guests are kissing on the dance floor during the reception at the Gatherings on the Ridge barnbridesmaids dancing on the dance floor during the reception at the Gatherings on the Ridge barngroomsmen laughing and applauding in front of the groombunch of wedding guests are raising champagne glasses for a toast bride and her bridesmaids dancing on the dance floorbridesmaids dancing on the dance floor during the reception at the Gatherings on the Ridge barn bride and groom are drinking champagne on the dance floor and laughing harddance floor filled with smoke and lasers during wedding reception at the Gatherings on the Ridgewedding guest is drinking champagne straight out of the bottle bridesmaids are waving and dancing surrounded by fog and lasersgroom is performing funky gestures on the dance floor during wedding reception at the Gatherings on the Ridgeview of the Gatherings on the Ridge barn from outside at nigh in late summer

 See full gallery from Laura’s and Ryan’s Gatherings On The Ridge barn wedding >>HERE<<.

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Thanks a bunch for stopping by, reading Laura and Ryan love story and checking out their Gatherings On The Ridge barn wedding adventure! I am documentary wedding photographer based in Madison, Wisconsin and specialize in moment driven wedding photojournalism.

During this type of wedding photography I won’t boss you around. I won’t ask you to be an actor and pretend to be someone you are not. I won’t put up a fashion show. I will stay out of your way. I will let you be true you. I will be there and I won’t miss a beat. Read more about common wedding photography styles here.

If you’re planning your Gatherings On The Ridge barn wedding in a country of rolling hills in Southwestern Wisconsin shoot me a message! I would love to be part of your adventure!

GATHERINGS ON THE RIDGE BARN WEDDING VENDORS:

Ceremony/Reception: Gatherings On The Ridge
Flowers: Village Market Floral
floral Crown: Westerwisp
Boutonnieres: Eucca
Bride’s Sandals:
Grecian Sandals From Etsy
Bridesmaid Dresses: Bhldn And Forever 21
Groom’s Suit: Paul Smith
Groomsmen Suits: Kohls
Dj: Spotify Playlist By Bobby Wads
Catering Company: Rooted Spoon
Wedding Cake: Piggly Wiggly
Ice Cream: Purple Door
Transportation: Warco Transportation
centerpiece Rentals: A La Crate
Hotel: Country Inn & Suites By Carlson
Honeymoon: Italy, France, Amsterdam
Wedding Date:
8.20.2016

Jenny, Pip and One Helluva Wet Prevailing Winds Lodge Wedding

Bride and groom portrait in Prevailing Winds lodge

 

+ Prevailing Winds lodge wedding in Blue Mounds, WI

It’s Saturday on Labor Day weekend. I am at Prevailing Winds lodge in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin.

Hanging out with Jenny, Pip and their tribe. Observing and documenting happenings around me. Getting ready part of the wedding day is at full swing.

Final decorations finding their places at the reception tent high atop of prairie nearby.

Brian, wedding officiant and owner of Maduro, is going through ceremony’s timeline.

Members of immediate family and closest friends continuously showing up at the door step.

Lots of good energy. Lots of hugs. Smiles. Cocktails.

There are also talks about severe thunderstorms predictions for the area.

I step outside to snap few pictures of wedding ceremony location. It’s under two oak trees with a handmade ribbon backdrop in between. “Chad, what’s the update for weather forecast this afternoon?” I shout. “Update is not good” Chad says. “Not good at all.”

I look up. Sun’s beaming through the leaves of lush late summer vegetation. Skies look happy. Weather is fine.

Until it’s not.

Within half an hour sun’s gone. Skies grow darker every minute. Lights start coming up in rooms of the Prevailing Winds lodge.

First wedding guests getting dropped off at the lodge. Wedding ceremony is planned to start in 40 minutes or so.

And suddenly the skies open up.

And all hell breaks loose.

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That afternoon, over 200 wedding guests that arrived ready for an outdoor wedding ceremony, end up gathering inside Prevailing Winds lodge to wait out first wave of rain.

While everybody lingers under the roof, hardcore bridal party team is transporting all wedding ceremony attributes from outdoor location to wedding reception tent.

Rain, and the fact that groom’s suite was left at home in Madison, delay wedding ceremony start by hour and a half.

As soon as reception tent is ready to accommodate wedding ceremony and rain slows down, weeding guests make their way to the tent.

Lots of umbrellas and lots of bare feet are present.

People move in just in time- second wave of rain pour was about to start.

So is Jenny’s and Pip’s wedding ceremony.

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It was definitely not your average wedding ceremony, and yet there was nothing weird about it either. Just bride and groom surrounded by smiling faces of friends and family, two dogs, and rain pounding the tent and splashing all over the dance floor.

And while the rain storm caused some pain the ass for everybody, without it, double rainbow some seriously beautiful sunset skies (see wedding pictures below) would not have ever happened.

And probably dancing later that night wouldn’t have happened d as well.

Though I might be wrong about that one.

As I often say to my wedding couples during the wedding consultation, “rain or shine, you two still are going to get married”. And few ups and downs you might encounter on your wedding day- well, that’s just life at its best. It all will make your wedding day more adventurous and more memorable.

To see full gallery from Jenny’s and Pip’s Prevailing Winds lodge wedding in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin, please see click >>HERE<<.

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Bride’s mother cooking food in Prevailing Winds lodge kitchen Wedding reception tent in prairie Blue Mounds, Wisconsin bridal party laughing while getting ready in Prevailing Winds lodge, Wisconsin bride and groom drinking champagne during getting readyWedding ceremony spot under the oak trees wedding officiant is checking the timelineflower girl being dressed rain storm on a wedding day in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin two groomsmen working in the rain in Blue Mounds, Wisconsinwedding guests getting off the school buswedding guests in Prevailing Winds lodge, Blue Mounds, Wisconsintwo dogs sitting on Prevailing Winds lodge porch stairsgrooms mother and groom looking at each other wedding guests walking to the wedding ceremony location wedding guest at the outdoor bar during heavy rain wet floor in wedding tent in Prevailing Winds lodgeflower girl during Prevailing Winds lodge wedding ceremony outdoor wedding ceremony in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin bride and groom parents smiling during wedding ceremony wedding guests cheering after wedding ceremony bride and groom wedding portrait in prairie near Prevailing Winds lodge bride and groom tearing up during wedding speeches sunset outside the wedding tent in Blue Mounds, Wisconsinorange sunset skies in prairie near Blue Mounds, Wisconsinwedding guests dancing at the outdoor weddingwedding guests waiting in line for photobooth in Prevailing Winds lodgewedding guests dancing at the outdoor wedding reception guests dancing in Prevailing Winds lodge wedding bride’s and grooms first dance in Prevailing Winds lodge wedding bride with her girlfriends at the Barmadillo bar wine bottles left on table at the wedding reception bride hugging with a group of friends at the Prevailing Winds lodge wedding wedding guests dancing and sliding on the wet dance floor guests falling on the wet dance floor in Prevailing Winds lodge wedding groom interacting with a guest at the Prevailing Winds lodge weddingbride’s dirty feet and dress covered in dirt brother of the bride stashing wine for the after party darkness of the night at the after party

 

 See full gallery from Jenny’s and Pip’s Prevailing Winds lodge wedding >>HERE<<.

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Planning your wedding in Prevailing Winds lodge and looking for documentary wedding photographer that? Look no further! Please visit my wedding photography FAQ page to learn more about my award-winning wedding photography philosophy and get a better idea what to expect on your wedding day. And give me a shout via my contact page! I would love to be part of your wedding tribe!

 

PREVAILING WINDS LODGE WEDDING VENDORS:

Wedding Venue: Prevailing Winds Lodge
Hair & Makeup: Midwest Beauty House
Cocktail bar: Barmadillo

Amy, Jason and their DIY family farm wedding

Bride and groom drinking from shot ski during their wedding

+ DIY family farm wedding in Middleton, WI

Original one-of-a-kind wedding full of good vibe come to those who work their asses off while planning DIY family farm wedding in Madison, Wisconsin. That hard work includes deep sea fishing in Florida for mahi-mahi and king mackerel, carefully selected wines and cheese, hand making sausages for the wedding reception, putting all decorations together, and, of course, endless hours of planning.
Amy and Jason both been in the restaurant industry for well over a decade; he has been primarily back of house cooking and baking, while she has been solely front of house service. When couple got engaged, they knew right away they didn’t want the typical tradition wedding. That meant no caterer, no bartenders, no cake, no assigned seating and so on. That also meant that it was going to be largely DIY family farm wedding. Or as Amy calls it “do it (y)ourselves”.

Location: this was first Amy and Jason’s task. After a few hiccups (losing their first venue 4 months before the wedding) couple wound up using a friend of a friend’s parent’s backyard. Filled with trees, gardens, wetlands, location had heaps of space for guests and kids to run around. That was a good start.
Food: once the location was settled, it really became all about the food and beverage. During that DIY family farm wedding Wisconsin planning stage Amy and Jason were dedicated in sourcing all of their protein and vegetables from areas around Madison Wisconsin. The idea behind it was to support local farmers. And it was easy task due of the strong relationship with local vendors that Amy and Jason have built throughout many years via shopping Dane county farmer’s market on Saturday. As far as wedding menu creativity went, from the very beginning Amy and Jason wanted their friends to have as much as possible while helping pout the wedding together. So while they offered guidance in terms of likes and dislikes, they ultimately left the decisions and flexibility to those up for those cooking (Neil from Stalzy’s, Patrick from Oliver’s public house, etc).
Beverage: Amy and Jason ordered variety of wines from in vino veritas wine distributors as well bunch of different beers from local breweries.
Decorations/lights: Amy and Jason asked proprietor of the venue to put away some square hay bales (that he harvested before their wedding) so they could use them as seating. For covers they used burlap sacks. And for burlap sacks couple reached out to barriques, a local coffee roaster. Jason’s father brought a few hundred mason jars that later were filled with candles and placed all over the garden to illuminate the paths in the darkness. Couple also bought some battery powered led light strings that they strung in trees around the area.
Tent/ furniture: after all above was taken care of it was a matter of renting a tent and some tables with chairs for the wedding reception.

And it would nice to say that just like that a DIY family farm wedding venue was born, but there were plenty more moments where Amy and Jason’s DIY attitude came into play. They won’t be listed here, but let’s just say that popcorn was popped, lights were strung, grasses were mown, firewood was chopped, and the crowd was fed. Many of its thanks to the lovely help and support that they had from their friends and family.
And while Amy agrees that DIY family farm wedding Wisconsin is certainly more work than your average wedding, all DIY customization also means, that your family farm wedding day will be unique and exactly the way you wanted it.

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To see full gallery from Amy’s and Jason’s DIY family farm wedding in Middleton, Wisconsin, please see click >>HERE<<.

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getting ready in Madison Wisconsin Hilton hotelview through window in Madison Wisconsin Hilton hotelgroom is getting ready in Madison Wisconsin Hilton hotelbride is getting ready in Madison Wisconsin Hilton hotelbridal party is ready in Hilton hotel Madison WI Getting ready in Hilton hotel Madison WIBride’s dress on bed in Holton Monona Terrace hotelbride’s parents see bride on a wedding day Holton Monona Terrace hotelbride’s parents see bride on a wedding day Holton Monona Terrace hotelbride’s mom is helping bride with wedding dress on a wedding day Holton Monona Terrace hotelbride’s mom is helping bride with jewelry on a wedding day Holton Monona Terrace hotel Farmland and rolling hills outside of Madison WI on the way to DIY family farm wedding WisconsinOutdoors wedding reception tent and setup in rural Madison showing DIY family farm wedding WisconsinGuests arriving for an outdoor wedding in rural Wisconsin outside of MadisonGuests lining up for an outdoor wedding ceremony in rural Wisconsin outside of MadisonGuests arriving for an outdoor wedding in rural Wisconsin outside of Madison outdoor wedding ceremony in rural Wisconsin outside of Madison