Brew City Bridal

Finding in-season, locally grown flowers for a Wisconsin wedding in March can be a bit tricky. Fearing that even if she sprung for fresh buds that they would wilt in the frigid temps, Maggie Joos went off the beaten path and created her own bridal bouquet – out of her mother’s veil! With this extremely sentimental piece and the many oohs and ahhs that followed on her wedding day, Mark the Occasion Designs was born. Besides bouquets, Maggie also can create boutonnieres and corsages from just about anything, but I have to say my favorite pieces are the bouquets created…

When looking for wedding reception spaces in downtown Milwaukee there are some venues that I find to be so fantastic but for one reason or another couples they are never on most couples short list of places to check out. One of these venues is the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. Many times when I mention this space as an option couples are surprised to learn that the space hosts more than Broadway shows.Located on Water Street across from Red Arrow Park, the Marcus Center is a truly unique and versatile space. Wedding guests enter through the Marcus Center’s…

Wedding DJs have somehow gotten a bad rap. While most Disc Jockeys that I’ve worked with are professional in appearance and performance, most couples are terrified that they are going to end up with someone who is more concerned with leading a conga line around the dance floor than in taking a more “behind the scenes” approach to keeping their party rocking. And although everyone is looking for something unique and special, a resonating theme with clients of mine is the aversion to anything “cheesy” which means keeping the Chicken Dance on the no-play list where it belongs. Enter Milwaukee…

Last month, I was lucky enough to be invited to Zilli Hospitality Group’s monthly tasting luncheon held at Coast on the lake shore. The lunch is put on for couples who will be having Zilli’s cater their upcoming wedding as it gives them a chance to sample the menu and pick their selections. My husband got to tag along as well and after our recent culinary class at the Public Market, we were on the look out for food trends of 2012. First off, if you have never been to Coast it is definitely worth the trip.  The space is…

This past Christmas, my wonderful husband purchased some cooking classes for me at the Milwaukee Public Market. A hint about my cooking? Perhaps. More likely, or at least what I choose to believe, is that it was a sweet gesture for from a man to his wife who loves to cook and try new things. On Wednesday evening I attended my first class which turned out to be less of a class and more of a fabulous cooking – and sampling! – demonstration given by Chef Alisa Malavenda. Each class has a different topic and last night’s focus was culinary…

We are fortunate here in Milwaukee to have many extremely talented photographers so when it comes time to choose one for your wedding it’s hard to know where to start the search.  Most couples know to look at the online photos, reviews and consider their budget but it’s also extremely important to find a photographer whose style of photos matches your own unique personalities and vision. The three main types of wedding photography include photojournalistic, traditional and artistic. To be very brief in these descriptions, photojournalistic tells a story, traditional has you striking a pose and artistic has the photographer…

Image Courtesy of Village Florist in Hales Corners Often times, couples do not even consider winter weddings in Wisconsin due to thoughts of freezing temps and blizzard conditions. Even a duo of Wisconsinites who have braved the blustery conditions their entire lives seem to get “cold feet” at the thought of January nuptials. And while the mild December we’ve seen this year is not a guarantee that next year will be equally as mild, it serves as a reminder that planning a winter doesn’t mean you are destined for snowmageden part two. Winter weddings in Wisconsin inspire some truly magical…

When anyone mentions the word wedding the first thought always drifts towards wedding dresses. From ballgown to mermaid cut woman are spoiled with so many choices that entire television shows have been devoted to the process of choosing THE dress. Unfortunately for the guys, their wardrobe selection is usually an afterthought with the only choice sometimes being the color of their tie. Stylish men of Milwaukee (or the stylish women who dress them) should listen up! J. Hilburn representative Therese Nelson has a wide variety of high quality options that will make you look and feel just as special as…

Driving down Prospect Avenue it may be easy to miss the grandeur of 1451 Renaissance Place. Designed by architect Solon Spencer Bemen of Chicago as the First Church of Christ, it was completed in 1909 and remained a church for the next eighty years. Today, Renaissance Place welcomes some of Milwaukee’s most magnificent wedding ceremonies, receptions and events. I stopped by last Wednesday evening for a tour and to talk with event specialist Michael Valentine.  I parked in the back lot (an east side event space with it’s own parking is a gem in itself!) and walked slowly around to…

While recovering from both turkey overload and the flu this past week, I decided it was the perfect opportunity for me to stay inside and focus this week’s blog on some tips for all newly engaged couples. With the holidays coming that means one thing to wedding professionals – engagement season – so I’ve listed what I believe to be the top five bits of wedding planning advice of any couple caught under the mistletoe this year.  1. Begin with a Budget. While the first thing that may come to mind after slipping that sparkler on your finger is whether…