The Beginning of Megan and Brett in their own Words

We met while working at the Eau Claire Academy. Megan worked on a unit and Brett worked as a crisis staff. We had seen each other around work, but really hit it off while going out to a bar with co-workers. We began dating and have enjoying each other ever since! In March 2012 we welcomed our first child, Parker. He has brought us even closer and given us more reasons to laugh.

Wedding Venue

Wild Rock Golf Course Clubhouse at the Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells.

What were your deciding factors in choosing your venue(s)?

We originally were planning on getting married in Madison because a lot of our family is from southern Wisconsin and Illinois, but a lot of the venues in Madison didn’t fit our personality, wedding size, or the vision we had for the day. The Clubhouse was the perfect size and had a rustic charm we were looking for.

getting ready for wedding

pre-wedding photos bride and groom shoes

What was the most enjoyable part of planning your wedding?

Megan: Brett and I had to travel to the Dells/Madison to do a lot of the planning, I really enjoyed the weekends away and I felt like we agreed on most things.

Brett: Being able to meet with different people and being able to make decisions together.

What was your greatest challenge in planning your wedding? What did you feel least prepared for?

Megan: We live in Eau Claire, so planning long distance was difficult especially since Brett and I have conflicting work schedules. It was also hard because we knew how we wanted things to look, but it’s hard to make sure it looks that way when you can’t visit your venue all the time.

Brett: Finding time to plan together or planning with a toddler.  I felt the least prepared for the dancing and removing the garter because I wanted to have planned something funny and out of the ordinary.

bride with dress on bride with family and friends bride in dress bride with veil bride with son wedding decorations

How did you calm your wedding day nerves?

Megan: One of my coworkers told me to remember that the day is about love and that everyone is there to celebrate the love between Brett and me. I just kept reminding myself about that. Being surrounded by friends and family was also a great way to keep calm.

Brett: With a lot of friend and family support and help.

groom, waiting for bride groom at front of wedding kids walking down the aisle bride and father walking down the aisle

What memory stands out most from your wedding day?

Megan: Walking down the aisle with my dad was such a great feeling. I had a lot of nerves about how everything was going to go, and once we got there and I saw Brett I felt so much more calm. I also really enjoyed dancing the night away with our friends!

Brett: Watching my bride walk down the aisle with her father and not being able to stop smiling at her beauty and my happiness.  But also when our son escaped my parents grip and came up to the alter and stood in between us.

groom watching bride walk down the aisle dad giving the bride away bride and groom with officiant bride and groom holding hands just married audience and aisle photos bride and groom just married outdoor wedding just married family and friends

What resources helped you in planning your wedding? (blogs, websites, magazines, friends, wedding shows, etc.)

Megan: I used Pinterest to get some ideas, but that can be dangerous for the budget and it can be hard to find original ideas. I watched probably too many wedding shows. We did go to a couple wedding fairs and got some ideas there.

Brett: Pintrest, attending wedding fairs and actual weddings, and MY WIFE was a major resource as she took the reins in the planning process (and was the ultimate decision maker).

Do you have any advice for people planning a wedding?

Megan: Everyone will give you advice about how to do things, whether you want it or not, but be true to your vision and how you want things done. Keep in mind that no one remembers the small details (unless they are planning a wedding), so don’t stress about them.

Brett: Try to have fun with it and try to do it together. Also meet with several people before you make a decision on a certain product.

groom and groomsmen high five bride and groom with the sky happy couple with flowers outside

Why did you choose Maureen Cassidy Photography?

Pictures were one of the most important expenses of the wedding to us, so we initially met with Maureen because her photos are beautiful! But after meeting her we knew she would be a good fit. We loved her personality and sense of humor. She made us very comfortable throughout the whole day.

Which moment(s) are/were you most excited to see in your wedding photos?

Megan: EVERYTHING! I am especially excited to see pictures of the ceremony and all of the details throughout the day. It went so quick and we were so busy I didn’t have time to take it all in.

Brett: ALL OF THEM! I’m excited to see the pictures by the red barn and weeping willow tree. But also with all the bridesmaids and groomsmen.  And my father won’t stop talking about the picture of us dancing and Maureen taking the picture from behind a window.

black and white couple photo nature bride and groom newlywed photos

If you had an unlimited budget or simply could redo your wedding day, would you have done anything differently?

Megan: I probably would have had an open bar and hired a videographer. I don’t know how often we would have watched the video but as the bride, you don’t really get to see the whole ceremony and all of the details that you’ve spend so much time planning! Other than that, things went as well as we could have hoped.

Brett: Probably would have remembered the cake topper. Haha. And with an unlimited budget we would have had an open bar and the more expensive fish plate. But other than that I thought the wedding was beautiful and everything went smoothly.

having fun at the reception grandpa and grandson at reception first dance bride and groom dancing at reception candids

Any funny moments to share?

Megan: Some of Brett’s friends kept passing funny little notes to us via our DJ during dinner. Also, my mom and dad are not big drinkers (aside from wine) but we got them to take some shots (which I had never seen!). My dad was even taking shots of Patron, which completely surprised me! Brett’s mom also took a couple shots with my mom.

Brett: During dinner Megan returned from the bathroom and told me she had taken her bra off and left it in there.  And when my mother-in-law said “I don’t take shots.” But then proceeding to defeat 3 or 4 of them.

party at reception candid shots

 Vendors

Ceremony & Reception VenueWild Rock Golf Course at the Wilderness Resort 

Hair & Make up: our friend, Amy Weideman

Wedding Dress: The Wedding Shoppe St. Paul, MN 

Bridesmaids Dresses: The Bridal Shoppe Eau Claire, WI

Groom & Groomsmen Attire: The Bridal Shoppe Eau Claire, WI

Catering & Bar-tendingThe Wilderness

Officiant: Rev. Karen Hofstad St. Paul Lutheran Church Baraboo, WI

Flowers: Wild Apple Floral Baraboo, WI

Invitations: Megan

Dessert: Cake- Chris’ Confections  S’mores- The Wilderness

Photography: Me!

DJ and/or band: Music Box

Favors: Succulents from etsy, buckets from the dollar store

Honeymoon: The Royal Resort in Playa del Carmen Mexico