lurker
Hey! I've been a member for a while, but I think, aside from an intro post a long time ago, I've never been posted! But with 2009 coming to a close, I thought I'd post some photos from my September 20th DIY wedding. All photos are copyright Michael J. Wise Photography.
Getting ready:
I bought my gown at a bridal shop sample sale for 200 bucks, down from about $1000...it had to be taken in quite a bit, but woohoo!
Okay! I'm in! Let's go get married!
(right after a few closeup shots.)
Okay, time to decorate the church!
Here comes my man:
And now, everybody else:
My turn!
My nephew performed his job as ring bearer flawlessly.
Sand ceremony
You may kiss the bride!
Becky high-fives Lance on a job well-done!
Who knew one of our coolest photos would come from a yucky stairwell?!
The wedding party in front of our church. Gates of Heaven in Madison, WI is the fourth oldest surviving synagogue in the United States, and it's a city landmark. As such, you can rent it out to perform weddings of any type. We're not Jewish, but we did our best to respect the spirit and sanctity of the building.
After a few quick photos, it was time to head to our reception site. It's another city historical building, and I had to work my butt off to be able to reserve it. I called the parks department right away on the morning they began taking 2009 reservations, and I couldn't get through for an hour. When I finally did, I was on hold for half an hour. I was able to reserve my date, but I learned later that every weekend date for 2009 was gone half an hour after I reserved mine. Phew! Unfortunately, my photographer didn't get any photos of the actual building...but that's a gripe for another time.
Here are some reception close-ups!
One of the mini sand art kits I made as favors...these were a much bigger hit than I thought they would be! I didn't really think people would "get it", but people were assembling them all over the place, so yay!
guest book
send-offs
escort cards
Okay, now for some requisite posed photos:
I have two dads. My real dad, the first one, had a reading during the ceremony. My stepdad actually performed the ceremony.
and my mom
ushers
We had a trolley instead of a limo, to go with our 19th century venues!
speeches
first dance
dances with fathers
cutting the cake
throwing the bouquet
(my neice caught it)
throwing the garter
(my nephew caught it...haha)
Well, I think that's it! After this, we just kind of relaxed and had fun until it was time go to!
I hope you enjoyed it!
Ps. I walked down the aisle to "Day After Day" by Badfinger. My dress was by Allure. I served wine (Wollersheim Winery's Prairie Fume) and beer (Leinenkugel Honey Weiss and Capital Brewery's Autumnal Fire), root beer (Sprecher), and pizza (a wide range of varieties from Ian's Pizza). Our first dance was "Time in a Bottle" by Jim Croce. My father-daughter dance was "Forever Young" by Rod Stewart. Our cake was hazelnut apricot and white chocolate raspberry.
Our major vendors were:
Food--Ian's Pizza on State
Beer--Riley's Wines of the World
Wine--Wollersheim Winery
Cake--Carl's Cakes
Linens--chairs, cotton candy machine, china, and utensils: Event Essentials rental
Dress--Vera's Bridal
Tuxes--Men's Wearhouse
Flowers--Flagstad Flower & Gift Shop
Photos--Michael J. Wise Photography
Venues--Madison Parks & Recreation Dept.
Music--my friend Justin
Trolley--Badger Bus Co.
I guess that's it!
crossposted to lowbudgetbride
Getting ready:
I bought my gown at a bridal shop sample sale for 200 bucks, down from about $1000...it had to be taken in quite a bit, but woohoo!
Okay! I'm in! Let's go get married!
(right after a few closeup shots.)
Okay, time to decorate the church!
Here comes my man:
And now, everybody else:
My turn!
My nephew performed his job as ring bearer flawlessly.
Sand ceremony
You may kiss the bride!
Becky high-fives Lance on a job well-done!
Who knew one of our coolest photos would come from a yucky stairwell?!
The wedding party in front of our church. Gates of Heaven in Madison, WI is the fourth oldest surviving synagogue in the United States, and it's a city landmark. As such, you can rent it out to perform weddings of any type. We're not Jewish, but we did our best to respect the spirit and sanctity of the building.
After a few quick photos, it was time to head to our reception site. It's another city historical building, and I had to work my butt off to be able to reserve it. I called the parks department right away on the morning they began taking 2009 reservations, and I couldn't get through for an hour. When I finally did, I was on hold for half an hour. I was able to reserve my date, but I learned later that every weekend date for 2009 was gone half an hour after I reserved mine. Phew! Unfortunately, my photographer didn't get any photos of the actual building...but that's a gripe for another time.
Here are some reception close-ups!
One of the mini sand art kits I made as favors...these were a much bigger hit than I thought they would be! I didn't really think people would "get it", but people were assembling them all over the place, so yay!
guest book
send-offs
escort cards
Okay, now for some requisite posed photos:
I have two dads. My real dad, the first one, had a reading during the ceremony. My stepdad actually performed the ceremony.
and my mom
ushers
We had a trolley instead of a limo, to go with our 19th century venues!
speeches
first dance
dances with fathers
cutting the cake
throwing the bouquet
(my neice caught it)
throwing the garter
(my nephew caught it...haha)
Well, I think that's it! After this, we just kind of relaxed and had fun until it was time go to!
I hope you enjoyed it!
Ps. I walked down the aisle to "Day After Day" by Badfinger. My dress was by Allure. I served wine (Wollersheim Winery's Prairie Fume) and beer (Leinenkugel Honey Weiss and Capital Brewery's Autumnal Fire), root beer (Sprecher), and pizza (a wide range of varieties from Ian's Pizza). Our first dance was "Time in a Bottle" by Jim Croce. My father-daughter dance was "Forever Young" by Rod Stewart. Our cake was hazelnut apricot and white chocolate raspberry.
Our major vendors were:
Food--Ian's Pizza on State
Beer--Riley's Wines of the World
Wine--Wollersheim Winery
Cake--Carl's Cakes
Linens--chairs, cotton candy machine, china, and utensils: Event Essentials rental
Dress--Vera's Bridal
Tuxes--Men's Wearhouse
Flowers--Flagstad Flower & Gift Shop
Photos--Michael J. Wise Photography
Venues--Madison Parks & Recreation Dept.
Music--my friend Justin
Trolley--Badger Bus Co.
I guess that's it!
crossposted to lowbudgetbride