We’re thrilled to share the timeless beauty of Claire & Kevin’s Wisconsin wedding, which exudes sophistication and romance. While we adore showcasing trendy and modern celebrations on our blog, we also delight in highlighting elegant and classic affairs that never go out of style. This lovely couple’s big day at The Madison Club was a perfect blend of both, featuring a natural aesthetic, navy accents, and an intimate hometown feel captured by Katie Ricard Photography. Claire and Kevin brought their unique style to the venue with hand-painted stationery, fresh white blooms, and vintage vases, creating a warm and personalized atmosphere. The bride looked stunning in her flowing ballgown, complete with delicate lace details, soft upstyle, and vintage-inspired earrings, while the groom made a stylish impression in his black tuxedo and bow tie. If you’re looking for a wedding that embodies simplicity, romance, and timeless elegance, scroll down to fall in love with this classic celebration.
Wedding Day Snapshot
Our Love Story
As I reflect on our journey together, I’m reminded of the serendipitous summer day in Spring Lake, New Jersey, where our love story began. Little did I know then that our paths would continue to intersect over the years, culminating in a chance encounter at my best friend’s wedding, where I met Kevin. The universe seemed to be guiding us towards each other, as if fate had predetermined our meeting. It took a few years for us to converge, but once we did, we were inseparable. The threads of our pasts intertwined, with coincidental encounters and shared experiences that only became apparent later on. Fast forward to our move from Philadelphia to San Diego after two years of dating, and Kevin’s surprise proposal at the park overlooking the ocean left me breathless. With Dom Perignon in hand, we celebrated our engagement with my sister and her family that night, marking a new chapter in our lives.
The Inspiration
To create a unique yet timeless aesthetic, we opted for a classic approach infused with personal touches. The chosen color palette consisted of white, creamy hues, greens, and navy, which collectively exuded a fresh and natural essence while maintaining its timeless appeal. Given Kevin’s childhood connection to the water, we aimed to incorporate this element in a way that avoided clichés. To achieve this, we cleverly added the navy tone to the garden-inspired theme, subtly weaving Kevin’s upbringing into the design without resorting to overused nautical motifs.
The Planning Process
We embarked on a DIY wedding planning journey from San Diego, leveraging my professional experience in event planning to guide us. The staff at The Madison Club went above and beyond to ensure our reception was flawless, making it easy to forgo hiring a wedding planner. We relied heavily on recommendations from friends and online research to find the perfect vendors. When a vendor was already booked, we’d ask for their top recommendations. With only three trips to Madison between getting engaged and the big day, planning a cross-country wedding wasn’t as daunting as others had made it out to be. Email made communication a breeze, allowing us to share inspiration boards with our vendors and trust their expertise. We took the time to thoroughly vet each vendor, which ultimately gave us peace of mind. The one exception was buying my dress in San Diego, where I enjoyed the convenience of fittings in my own neighborhood. My dress shop shipped it directly to my parents’ house, where it was expertly pressed. As the day unfolded, we felt truly relaxed and joyful, knowing that all the planning details were taken care of. Surrounded by loved ones and marrying the perfect guy, how could anything go awry? We reveled in the moment, basking in the love and happiness that filled the air.
The Attire
I stunned in a stunning Thai silk ball gown featuring a v-neck bodice that cinched at the waist, showcasing intricate lace detailing and buttons trailing down the back. Meanwhile, my two bridesmaids – my sister and sister-in-law – took charge of their own dress choices, opting for cocktail dresses from Eliza J with lace overlays, elbow-length sleeves, and romantic v-neck bodices on empire-waisted silhouettes. The flowing full fisheye skirts were the perfect complement to the raw-edge fringe adorning the lace, adding a whimsical touch. As for the gents, my groom and his groomsmen donned classic black tuxedos with sleek bow ties – a timeless choice that exudes elegance and sophistication.
The Ceremony
As a Catholic couple, we opted for a traditional full mass ceremony that was deeply meaningful to us. In keeping with the richness of our faith, we carefully curated the readings and music to perfectly capture our unique personalities and love story.
The Music
As the wedding celebration unfolds, a carefully curated selection of songs sets the tone for each pivotal moment. The processional, a stately and elegant affair, is accompanied by the timeless beauty of J.S. Bach’s ‘Bist Du Bei Mir’ and the soothing harmony of J.Pachelbel’s ‘Canon in D’. This serene atmosphere continues as the recessional takes place, with G. Handel’s ‘Hornpipe from Water Music Suite in D’ providing a lively and celebratory conclusion to the ceremony. Later, the bride and groom take to the dance floor for their first dance, swaying to the romantic strains of Ed Sheeran’s ‘Thinking Out Loud’. The bride is then joined by her father for a heartwarming dance to the smooth sounds of The Temptations’ ‘The Way You Do The Things You Do’, while the groom shares a special moment with his mother to James Taylor’s soulful ‘How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You’
Favourite Details
What made our wedding invitations truly special was that they featured custom artwork I created alongside my father, making each one a unique piece. This personal touch not only reflected our personalities but also served as a meaningful memento of our big day. As for the highlights, there’s no denying that one of the most unforgettable moments came when we emerged from the church as newlyweds and were greeted by thousands of delicate bubbles drifting lazily through the air. The sight of our loved ones gathered to celebrate with us was already a thrill, but having my father join me on the dance floor for a spirited spin to The Temptations’ classic tunes made it an experience I’ll always treasure.
The Location
As our wedding planning began, we faced a multitude of options. Our collective experiences – my upbringing in Madison, Wisconsin; his roots in Spring Lake, New Jersey; and our current residence in San Diego, California – all influenced our decision-making process. The fact that we’ve celebrated milestones in Palm Island, Florida, and have family and friends scattered across the United States (New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Florida, Wisconsin, Arizona, Utah, California, and Hawaii) and internationally only added to the complexity of choosing a venue. Ultimately, we decided to bring our loved ones together in my hometown of Madison, where I grew up and where my parents reside. The church where I was raised played host to our special day, making it an intimate and meaningful celebration. Furthermore, autumn in the Midwest is breathtakingly beautiful, with Madison’s scenic lakeside backdrop offering a picturesque setting for our nuptials.
The Budget
We invested a significant amount in our wedding, around $25,000 to $30,000, to ensure an unforgettable experience for ourselves and our guests. To achieve this, we splurged on the band, photographer, and venue/catering, knowing that these elements would make or break the night’s atmosphere. And indeed, we were thrilled with the outcome – everyone danced the night away, we had amazing photos, and the food and wine exceeded our expectations. We felt like we treated our guests to a truly special evening, one that they would cherish for years to come.
While we did splurge in some areas, we also made conscious decisions to save elsewhere. For instance, we repurposed flowers from the church at the reception, designed and created our own invitations with help from friends and family, and scoured thrift shops with friends to source unique floral vases. By taking these frugal approaches, we were able to allocate more funds towards our top priorities.
In terms of favors, we decided against them, opting instead for custom matchboxes designed by my husband, which featured the details of our special day and a beautiful artwork representing Wisconsin, where we got married. These thoughtful touches added a personal touch to the evening and served as a lovely memento for our guests.
Advice for Other Couples
Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, but it’s crucial to approach it in a structured manner. Rather than trying to tackle every aspect simultaneously, focus on one thing at a time. For instance, securing your venue before worrying about dresses or flowers makes sense. We did just that by booking our church and priest first, then moved on to reserving the band – a task that requires prompt action, especially in popular regions like Southern Wisconsin. After that, we addressed the venue, photography, and floral arrangements. It wasn’t until everything else was settled that I started looking for my wedding gown. Had I tried to start with every detail at once, I would have been consumed by anxiety. Take a deep breath, create a list of priorities, and work your way through it. Wedding planning can be akin to having a second job, but by focusing on the elements that inspire you most, it becomes more manageable. When planning from a distance, remember that technology is your friend – use email and the internet to connect with vendors and plan accordingly. In our case, we made multiple trips back to visit potential venues, meet with photographers and florists, and even watched videos of our desired band to gauge their style. One thing you may not need to do in person, however, is witness a live performance by your band – thanks to YouTube and Vimeo, many bands now offer video showcases that can help you make an informed decision. Ultimately, it’s essential to remember that the wedding is about you and your partner; as long as your loved ones are present and you’re exchanging vows, everything will fall into place.
The Decor & Details
Our wedding celebration was made all the more special by the thoughtful contributions of our loved ones. A dear friend lent me a veil, while my sister’s mother-in-law went above and beyond to source 90% of our vases – a mix of small bud vases and vintage finds from local thrift shops. The personal touches really made the day shine. In lieu of traditional ‘something blue’ gifts, my sister created laminated copies of our parents’ wedding photo and grandparents’ wedding photo (who are no longer with us), beautifully tied with a blue ribbon. Meanwhile, my husband’s mom surprised him with a shamrock pin, paying tribute to his grandmother from Ireland, who had passed away recently. One of the most unique aspects of our wedding preparations was designing the invitations together with my dad – an architect and talented artist. Our friend and sister-in-law’s sister, a designer in her own right, brought those designs to life by creating and printing one-of-a-kind invitations for us. Now we have not only cherished memories but also the original artwork from our special day.
The Venue
We chose The Madison Club for its timeless elegance, perfectly capturing the sophisticated atmosphere we envisioned for our special day. This esteemed institution, established in 1909, seamlessly blends pre-war charm with modern luxuries, including a world-class gourmet chef and meticulous staff dedicated to ensuring every guest’s needs are met. Strategically located mere blocks from the Wisconsin State Capitol and picturesque Lake Monona, The Madison Club stands as the ultimate destination for discerning individuals. Its storied past is replete with notable visitors, including influential figures like Theodore Roosevelt, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and the Dalai Lama, further solidifying its reputation as a premier gathering place.
The Flowers
In pursuit of a fresh, garden-inspired aesthetic, we opted for a more holistic approach, embracing an assortment of whites and greenery elements like olive branches and eucalyptus. This allowed us to craft a setting that felt lush and vibrant. To achieve this, we blended different floral varieties in shades of white, creating a tapestry-like effect with varying textures. Simultaneously, we curated dozens of vintage vases in diverse sizes and shapes, filling them with an abundance of flowers to generate a visually striking tablescape. The addition of candles and custom watercolored table numbers served to further refine the overall look. At the head table, a garland comprising predominantly greenery was augmented by white face flowers and candles, which collectively romanticized and softened the ambiance.
The Refreshments
Our wedding reception featured a formal sit-down meal, cleverly designed to take advantage of our historic venue’s unique spaces. The evening unfolded with a cocktail hour in the lush lower garden, followed by dinner upstairs, and finishing off with dancing and the indulgence of our decadent cake. To get the party started, we served an array of delectable passed hors d’oeuvres during the cocktail hour, including Mini Ahi Tuna Tacos, Char Siu BBQ Pork, Iced Shrimp Cocktail, Spinach & Goat Cheese Profiteroles, Brie & Apple, and a stunning display of artisanal cheese and charcuterie. For dinner, our guests had the pleasure of choosing between two mouthwatering options: Lavender Honey Glaze Chicken Breast with sautéed seasonal veggies, buttermilk grits, and citrus chicken jus, or Filet of Beef Tenderloin with Sauteed Seasonal Vegetables, Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, and Wild Mushroom & Herb Demi-Glace. The pièce de résistance was our three-tiered masterpiece cake, adorned with fresh flowers and featuring a Swiss dot pattern on its buttercream frosting. The top tier boasted almond cake filled with vanilla buttercream, the middle tier showcased vanilla chiffon cake paired with strawberry filling, while the bottom tier delighted with almond cake and chocolate buttercream filling.
The Honeymoon
After our two-week wedding hiatus, we decided to extend our celebration by taking some extra time off to spend with loved ones traveling from afar. We seized the opportunity to catch an NFL Monday Night Football game as ardent Green Bay Packer fans. Next, we embarked on a short getaway to Northern California, where we indulged in wine country relaxation and took in the breathtaking views of the Monterey, Carmel, and Big Sur coastlines. With our San Diego homebase just a stone’s throw away from this adventure, we were grateful not to have had to venture far for our honeymoon. We enjoyed a leisurely exploration of Northern California at our own pace, savoring exceptional food, wine, and vistas. Our laid-back approach allowed us to recharge after a week of family and friend gatherings. As we look ahead to our future travels, we’re already planning a longer European escapade for our first anniversary – once we’ve accumulated more vacation time and saved up some extra funds.