Bruce & Sean’s wedding was incredibly elegant and unique- they totally changed the traditional order of events, which I haven’t seen before (and I’ve seen a lot as a wedding photographer!). First they had cocktail hour, and that segued naturally into dinner. After dinner was the wedding ceremony, for which guests gathered around the couple in a semi-circle. After the short and sweet ceremony (complete with a french horn performance and beautiful readings), Bruce and Sean immediately had their first dance! Then alllllll the dancing happened! It felt like an efficient and thoughtful use of both space and time.
Where was your wedding?
At the Capitol Theater in the Overture Center
What were your deciding factors in choosing your venue(s)?
Quite honestly, there weren’t many venues available by the time we started looking. Nevertheless, when we walked in to the theater we knew it was where we wanted to have our celebration anyway. It’s not an easy venue to get, as stage productions get priority, but it was worth the patience and the work. On the night of the event we even heard from Madison residents that they didn’t know the venue existed! I think everybody felt it was a very cool space to enter after having cocktails in the lobby.
When I can, I try to do something different and funny!
What memory stands out most from your wedding day?
Just before the first photographs. Bruce and I used a dressing room backstage at the theater to put on our tuxes, and it was a nice quiet time for us together as a couple before the festivities got under way.
Any funny moments to share?
After I (Sean) said my vows, Bruce started his vows with “Likewise I’m sure.” Maybe you had to be there but it was funny then. There was also a spontaneous group hug on the dance floor at the end of the last dance, all the last people in a big hug in the center of the stage with Bruce and me in the middle.
Did you write personal vows?
We did write our own vows, individually, and as it turns out there was a fair amount of similarity in what we wrote.
What was the most enjoyable part of planning your wedding?
We had a lot of fun thinking about what our guests would enjoy and remember, which also allowed us to not worry too much about little details (I’m told people remember the emotions and general vibe of the night, and forget about things like the food and flowers).
What was your greatest challenge in planning your wedding? What did you feel least prepared for?
We weren’t doing a traditional wedding: it was a cross between a wedding and a 20th anniversary celebration, which allowed us the freedom to create the evening and ceremony that we wanted. This also presented a challenge in that we couldn’t just rely on whatever is considered traditional. As for being unprepared, I felt a little overwhelmed as guests started to arrive for the cocktail hour. A good friend told us to do our best to greet people and mingle, but then to stop doing that at some point and just enjoy the evening. It was great advice.
What resources helped you in planning your wedding? (blogs, websites, magazines, planners, friends, wedding shows, etc.)
We asked married friends for occasional advice, spent some time on Pinterest, and then relied significantly on our wedding planner Rachel Best.
Do you have any advice for people planning a wedding?
Do what you can to enjoy the entire process, have fun, relax, and make sure that as a couple you are communicating well throughout. Day of, don’t worry about little things, have fun and feel the love.
Which moment(s) are you most excited to see in your wedding photos?
We are excited to see friends and family who didn’t know each other before the weekend enjoying themselves together. It makes sense that if we love all these people they might get along, but it was truly magical to see all the random fun and friendships forming that night.
Why did you choose Maureen Cassidy Photography?
We chose her based on her portfolio, and the way you could see the joy in people’s faces in her photos.
Vendors!
Venue- Capitol Theater-overture center
Catering & Bar-tending- Fresco
Rentals (tents, chairs, linens, etc.)- A La Crate & Event Essentials
Officiant- Family friend
Wedding planner- Rachel Best
Photography- Maureen Cassidy Photography & Rejoy Photography & Anya Wait Photography– (Thanks Anya for the up high shots!!)
DJ and/or band- Juke Box Band Stand
Musicians- Family friend
Photobooth- Traveling photobooth
Favors- DB Chocolates
Flowers: Metcalfe’s and Sentry
Invitations: Sarah B
Cake: Craig’s Cake Shop
Maureen Cassidy is a Madison wedding photographer, Madison family photographer & Madison boudoir photographer who loves capturing connections, love and beauty in Wisconsin and around the world. If you would like to send her a message contact her {here}.
Leave A Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.