Tag Archives: Central Wisconsin Wedding
Fall in Love | A Rustic Wedding Elopement
We wanted to do something different. We wanted to showcase local talent and stay true to our roots; a Northwood’s rustic Wisconsin wedding inspired stylized shoot. Most of all, we wanted to tell a story with real people who are really in love and have a heck of a lot of fun doing it. October 6th severed as the date for our ‘Fall in Love – A Rustic Wedding Elopement,’
It started with an idea, a Pinterest Board, and a story. The rest was really up to the incredible talent behind THE WEDDING GALLERY, BELLA ZENN SALON SPA, & CREATIVE CRUMBS to put it all together. There were so many people who helped out on this project and we so very grateful to everyone who bared with us and shared in our vision to make it all happen. A special thanks to Lee for being so easy to work with – we can’t thank you enough for your collaboration, your talent, and your vision. We’re so thrilled with the two short films you created for us!
We wanted our stylized shoot to showcase young love, a beautiful Wisconsin DIY bride and a handsome groom who embraced the Northwood’s lifestyle. Macy & Nick were the perfect couple and they did such an incredible job. It was a long day starting early in the morning and shooting until dusk. Mid-day shooting was a challenge, but on a wedding day you don’t always get to shoot in perfect light.
Thankfully the weather was beautiful and the ground wasn’t too muddy from the rain. We used a gator to get back into the woods on some private acreage in Medford, Wisconsin. The table spread was set up on what use to be an old railroad and cut through the middle of the property. There were two ponds we were able to use in the planning of the day. A true gem was finding the dilapidated old dock, which was covered in algae and lichen growth. We were sure that by the end of the day it was going to end up in the pond. One part of our shoot we weren’t able to complete was the canoe scene. Our goal was to have a vintage canoe filled with candles on a lake at the end of the night. We might have to save this for a future stylized shoot. It also would have been nice to find some boots to go along with Nick’s second outfit which was purchased from J.Crew one of my personal favorite stores for men’s clothing. I can’t thank my dear friend Chelsea Zenner from Bella Zenn Salon Spa enough for all the work, time, and effort she put into this effort. Carrie, Kim, Chelsea, Sue, and my wife Katie and SO talented and I am a big believer that nearly everything needs a woman’s touch, especially when it comes to wedding details.
We hope you like both the videos and the storyboard that go along with post. Some of these vendors will be showcased during Medford’s Woman’s Weekend coming up the end of February.
Thank you to everyone! You rock. Enjoy.
The Stokes
2013 | Wisconsin Wedding Moments Worth Remembering
For me, sometimes it feels like the only moments I remember are those I have seen in photographs. These are the times that feel the most real, like they just happened and time really did stand still for that one 1/60th of a second.
When searching the Internet for wedding images, it is often the same types of photographs we see; the dress, the shoes, the details, the rings, the bouquet etc., And while we love these photos, (they are some of the most fun to capture because it forces us to think creatively and attempt new things) they make up such a small part of a wedding story.
What rarely makes it on blogs, Pinterest, and photographer websites are the in- between, sometimes not so pretty, not-stylized, real-life moments – you know the ones that make you laugh, cry, and remember what it felt like in that fleeting instance.
What moments do you want to remember?
In our living room there is a picture of our children simply being kids, one is crying one is laughing, one is being silly, and one is looking questioningly into the camera. Across the top of the canvas is the quote,
“If you surrender completely to the moments as they pass, you live more richly those moments.” Anne Morrow Lindbergh
It is a phrase I have come to embrace as my mantra for parenthood – life-hood and one I take with me on a wedding day. By allowing ourselves to be in the moment, rather than separate from the experience, simply observing, controlling, analyzing, – we are free to richly exist within an experience and the phenomenon that is a wedding. I believe this takes a certain amount of emotional investment in our work and an ideology that seeks to shoot not only for our clients, but also for ourselves.
What are the moments we would want to remember?
I believe this is where a style is born. It is so much more than the ‘look’ of an image or even the way we use our camera. It supersedes both of these things and begins with our own personal experiences and the way we view the world.
Many of these photographs are in black and white; I have always been drawn to simplicity of BW film. Kodak 400TX film could be found in my camera over 50% of the time when I was growing up with my Pentax K1000. Sometimes color can distract us from what is really happening in the photograph. Often colors come with their own emotions; black and white timeless moments cause us to truly see the image for what it is. It might be that I grew up falling in love with my grandparents snap shots that cause me to be drawn to these types of images time and time again.
So in 2014, I want to continue to stay true to myself and shoot more images likes these.
Wisconsin Wedding Photographer
Winter Wonderland Rothschild Pavilion Wedding | Josh & Justine
Sometimes you just know. I think that was the case with Justine and Josh and I know it was the case for us. When I first met them atop Rib Mountain, I knew they were the perfect fit for us and would celebrate their love and union in a beautiful way. Well, that was such an understatement. Rothschild Pavilion served as the perfect wedding venue for their winter nuptials and reception.
Their wedding was the best way to start 2014 and we were so honored to be a witness to their vows amidst the ‘Winter Wonderland’ and the sea of friends and family. With Christ as the center of their marriage, Josh and Justine, instead of lighting a unity candle, painted a heart together. It was such a unique and touching example of how two become one.
Justine, with the help of her sister, mother, and dear cousins arranged all the decorations. Many of the creations were DIY projects and the bride herself created nearly everything. There was so much thought and talent that went into the details of this wedding. The bouquet was hand-made and was by far one of the most beautiful. The programs were made to look like the literary works of Hans Christian Andersen, the Danish author and poet, who served as inspiration for their fairy tale themed wedding. Justine’s beauty truly is legendary it was hard to not want to photograph just her the entire day. Josh made the perfect prince Charming and in every way is the classic gentleman young girls dream of marrying. All around, their story and their wedding is straight out of a fairy tale and we can’t wait to see how their journey continues in the many years to come!
Josh and Justine were able to suffer the cold for a few short minutes together outside for some warming couple shots while guests enjoyed a hot chocolate and a potato bar. Vegan and gluten-free cupcakes, cookies, chocolate goodies, and more was bestowed upon all who were in attendance. With the #jjhappyeverafter guests could help document their day via instagram. I personally thought this was sheer genius and the alternative to leaving cameras on the tables. It is incredible to see how things have changed in such a short time. Will our children discover our digital past and will our Facebook timelines become the new family album?
I hope this couple will cherish these images always and create hundreds of photographs from these digital images, but more importantly value each other and be reminded of the day they gave each other to the promise of fidelity and marriage.
Thank you for allowing us to capture your first day as husband and wife,
J&K
Caterer: A Spoonful of Batter, Rockman’s Catering
Dress Store: Brandi’s Bridal Galleria
DIY or Handmade Goods Designer: Tailor Made Stamps
Winter Rothschild Pavilion Wedding in Wausau, WI Central Wisconsin Wedding
Willow Pond Wisconsin Barn Wedding | Tim & Dani
I had the pleasure of meeting Tim and Dani at Olbrich Gardens for their engagement session in Madison,WI this past June. Their unique style as a couple and vibrant personalities made for a fun-filled shoot. I couldn’t help but look forward to their wedding day.
Tim and Dani met under the willow tree before the ceremony and exchanged hand written letters to each other. This was one of the sweetest things we have ever seen. We strongly recommend this; totally wish we had done this ourselves. How incredibly special to witness their first look! Dani spent a great deal of effort in planning the details of her day. Old books served as decorative centerpieces placed on brown burlap runners. Wildflowers in mason jars adorned the tables and hung from the chairs in the lawn. A handmade mason jar chandelier hung over the center of the barn wood dance floor. Instead of having a unity candle, sand ceremony, or wine box, these two watered a small pine tree during the middle of their wedding ceremony. A unique alternative that fit perfectly and will grow as they do.Their dear friend Chris officiated the ceremony, which was filled with personal anecdotes and spoke candidly of their love for one another over the years of their relationship. Their journey is just beginning together as husband and wife!Live music at a wedding is always a treat, but it is even better when they are your band mates. Their band friendship is a huge part of their story; we could help but be mesmerized by the organic sound that reverberated in the rafters. Their talent was an added bonus to an already incredible day. Tim, a talented Tattoo artist and musician, found a partner in Dani, a personal trainer/graphic designer/ roller derby athlete. Together they make one amazing duo! Nearing the end of the night their guests gathered with sparklers in hand, creating a glowing arch of light and cheer. Tim and Dani ran off into the night, drinks in hand. We caught up with them at the Volk Wagon Bus!
It was such an incredible pleasure to be able to photograph their rustic backyard barn wedding at Willow Pond. Katie and I hold this venue dear to our hearts as it is where we had our reception over six years ago! It feels like home every time we come back to photograph another couple enjoying the space that continues to grow in beauty and diversity.
Thank you both for making us apart of your epic celebration.
J&K
Wisconsin Wedding Photographers
Reception Venue: Willow Pond Bed, Breakfast, & Events
Culinary: Ma’s Bakery
Dress Store: Vera’s Bridal
Tuxedo and Mens Attire: Nedrebo’s Formal Wear
Favors and Gifts: Rural Route 1
Floral Designer: Trader Joe’s
Hair Stylist: Moxie Hair Salon
Interested in having your own barn wedding? Here is a list of Wisconsin Barn Wedding Venues
- Lussier Family Heritage Center
- Hilltop
- Windy Pine Barn – Waterloo, WI
- The Barn at Harvest Moon Pond
- Olin Park
- The Old Feed Mill/Sugarland
- Trendy Acres Barn
- O’Brien Barn
- Farm & Home Concert Underground
- Over the Vine
- Century Barn
- Schuster’s Farm
- Trimborn Farm
- Old World Wisconsin
- Camp Wandawega
- The Irish Barn at Whistling Straits
- The Family Farm Event Loft
- Schuster’s Farm
- Woodwalk Gallery
- The Inn at Windmill Farm
- Cherry Lane Orchards
- Silver Poplar Studios
- Barnsite Retreat and Events
- Willow Pond bed and Breakfast
- La Grange Edgestone Barn
- Birch Creek Music Performance Center
- The Milkweed Club
- Pedretti Party Barn
- Norskedalen Nature and Heritage Center
- The Enchanted Barn
- The Still Farm
- Fergusen’s Orchards
- Brickhouse Getaway
- Cedar Hill Farm
- Mulberry Lane Farm
- Blue Vista Farm
- Brule River Barn