A few weeks ago, I was honored to shoot the beautiful wedding of Michelle & Jesse.  I have known Michelle, the bride, her whole life.  She has always been like a little sister to me as I grew up playing with her and her older sister, Kristina.  The day I found out that Jesse had asked Michelle to marry him, I hoped she would ask me to be her photographer.  When she did ask, I couldn’t say YES fast enough.

The wedding took place at a beautiful event barn in Eastman, WI called Gatherings on the Ridge and the day couldn’t have been more perfect.  Michelle wore a beautiful fit and flare lace dress and borrowed her sister’s veil to complete her bridal look.  The bridesmaids wore short coral color dresses that were super cute!  The guys attire was very fitting for the weather that day (as it was HOT HOT HOT), and it really completed their relaxed, down to earth, wedding.

They were married under a majestic large oak tree located on the property with 200 of their closest family and friends watching.  The ceremony was short and sweet and instead of the typical unity candle/sand/etc., they opted for watering a special tree that will be planted in their future yard.  Not only did I find this very unique but also very fitting for them as Jesse is a park ranger and loves the outdoors.  They also exchanged the most unique rings I have ever seen… they were made of wood!  Jesse’s was solid wood, while Michelle’s had a mother of pearl inset to match her engagement ring.

After the ceremony, it was time to have fun!  Guests enjoyed playing corn hole on the lawn as well as enjoyed some cold cocktails while trying to find some shade or stand in front of a barn fan to cool off.  Dinner included some of Michelle and Jesse’s favorite food, like mac and cheese!  Their cake was made to look like a birch tree stump and the different flavors to choose from were amazing.  I enjoyed the champagne cake with raspberry filling and also the chocolate with peanut butter (yes, I tasted both!).

They kicked off their dance with a fun grand march, followed by their first dance and the father/daughter and mother/son dances.  When it came to the anniversary dance, it was amazing to see not just 1 couple left on the floor, but 4 couples that had been married for 35+ years (one of them being Michelle’s Aunt and Uncle that have been married for 50 years!).  What an example of true love to see for the newly weds!

It was such a beautiful day and I hope it was everything that Michelle and Jesse pictured their wedding day would be.  Congratulations you two!  I wish you nothing but lots of love and happiness throughout your lives together!