Kicking off the week with a touch of elegance, we’re thrilled to share Sarah and Michael’s stunning rooftop wedding in Madison, Wisconsin. The scenic backdrop of the city’s lakefront provided the perfect setting for their intimate celebration. Katie Ricard Photography beautifully captured the couple’s romantic moments, including their leisurely stroll around the Capital Building and the warm glow of their sunset reception.
With a bride radiant in her Monique Lhuillier gown and Badgley Mischka shoes, and a groom dashing in his tuxedo and dickie bow, this classic wedding exuded understated sophistication. We think you’ll love every detail.
The Flowers
When it came time to plan the flowers for our special day, my partner and I met with Monica from Daffodil Parker to discuss our vision. We wanted to capture a soft, vintage essence in our arrangements, reminiscent of a lush garden; I had a clear idea that we needed a mix of blooms, some greenery pops, and seasonal freshness. No specific design was etched in my mind, just a sense of whimsy and romance as the big day arrived, I was blown away by the stunning results Monica and her team achieved.
The bouquets featured ivory hydrangeas, lisianthus, dahlias, freesia, anemones, ranunculus, roses, and spray roses in shades of blush, champagne, and ivory; we tied everything together with pewter ribbons on the bridesmaid bouquets and a rich champagne-covered ivory lace for my own bridal bouquet, adding that extra vintage charm. Our centerpieces and altar pieces remained true to the same theme; instead of grandiose centerpieces, we opted for smaller bud vases scattered across each table.
Monica also crafted a delicate cake topper for us to top off our celebration.
The Photography
Our photographer, Katie Ricard, truly shone on our special day. We chose her because she took the time to ask us about our vision and what we hoped to capture. This thoughtful approach allowed her to tailor her photography style to perfectly reflect our love story.
What struck us most was Katie’s remarkable ability to capture candid moments that exuded natural beauty. It’s exactly how we wanted to remember our wedding day – full of laughter, joy, and serendipity.
Favourite Moment
As we celebrated our union, there was no better feeling than being surrounded by the breathtaking view of Madison, Wisconsin – my favorite city and home. The rooftop reception at Fresco was truly unforgettable. With the weather a picturesque 70 degrees, it was as if the early summer day had been specially crafted for our special night.
As we danced, laughed, and savored every moment under the sunset, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the perfect blend of nature and celebration that our venue provided. Michael and I are both outdoor enthusiasts who cherish strolling down State Street, exploring downtown’s hidden gems, and visiting local farmer’s markets. So, it was only fitting that our reception venue reflected our love for the great outdoors.
The Theme
To achieve an effortlessly elegant atmosphere on our wedding day, we aimed for a harmonious blend of vintage charm and modern sophistication. We intentionally kept our guest list intimate, inviting 95 of our closest family and friends to join us in Madison. This allowed us to truly connect with each person who traveled to celebrate with us. Our theme drew inspiration from the beauty of lace and soft flowers, while incorporating the sleek, contemporary ambiance of our reception venue.
The juxtaposition of vintage and modern elements resonated deeply with me, as I’ve always been enamored with the romanticism of a lace-filled wedding. To further balance these contrasts, we settled on a palette featuring black and pewter as primary hues, punctuated by subtle pops of blush and ivory.
The Refreshments
In Wisconsin, good food and great drinks are at the heart of every gathering. To show our out-of-town guests the best of what our state has to offer, Michael and I chose Fresco Restaurant on the top floor of the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art for our reception.
The rooftop space offered breathtaking views of downtgonwisconsin, State Street, and the Wisconsin Capitol – a perfect setting for our cocktail hour, where we served an assortment of hors d’oeuvres, including chicken tarragon, tuna tartar, and fresh summer spring rolls. For dinner, we opted for a sit-down meal at Fresco, with options ranging from chicken to New York Strip, Halibut, or Gnocchi.
What sets this restaurant apart is its commitment to using fresh, locally sourced ingredients – many of the dishes were purchased directly from nearby farms. We offered our guests a unique Wisconsin-inspired twist on classic cocktails; her cocktail was a sweet and tangy Old Fashioned featuring Korbel Brandy and orange, while his featured Yahara Bay Rye Whiskey in a New Fashioned creation.
Dessert was a delightful affair, with our own white cake topped with buttercream frosting and raspberry filling from Whole Foods, as well as an assortment of Fresco’s house-made treats, including Kit Kats, flowerless chocolate cakes, and crème brûlée. And for those who preferred something a bit stronger, we offered port wine – one of my personal favorites. As the night wore on, we served flat bread pizzas to keep our guests satisfied until the very end.
The Music
As I made my grand entrance with my father, our processionional set the tone for a memorable celebration Bach’s ‘Jesu Joy of Mans Desiring’ harmonized perfectly with Clarke’s ‘Trumpet Voluntary’, creating an atmosphere that was both elegant and joyful. This serenade also served as a beautiful precursor to the closing songs, which consisted of ‘Joyful, Joyful We Adore You’ and ‘Ode to Joy’.
These melodies not only brought closure to our special day but also provided a fitting finale to our celebration. When it came to selecting first dance songs that captured our personalities and relationships with one another and our families, we sought tunes that would be both meaningful and enjoyable for the father-daughter dance, Frank Sinatra’s ‘The Way You Look Tonight’ was our top choice; I relished dancing to this lively tune, which evoked carefree memories of my childhood.
Michael’s family shares a deep affection for the Beatles (and Michael Jackson), so it came as no surprise that at least one-third of the evening’s playlist consisted of songs from these iconic artists. The synergy between their music and the idyllic outdoor setting made for an unforgettable dance experience, keeping everyone on the floor throughout the night.
‘In My Life’ by the Beatles served as a heartwarming choice for the mother-son dance, while ‘Something’ by the same legendary band was our first dance song.