This was a beautiful gathering of family and friends, and here is what stood out to me about Kelly and Matt’s wedding:

  • They were so vibrant and adventurous while getting their wedding photos taken (such as dancing under pine trees!).
  • Close-knit, talented, and creative family, who contributed greatly to the natural and charming decorations.
  • Smorgasbord of delicious, organic dishes.
  • They added vegetables to the bouquets!!!

Where was your wedding and how did you choose the venue(s)?

After our engagement we took a tour of Madison venues. After viewing 6 locations in one day my mom mentioned the University Club; we are glad she did! The warm wood and chandelier glow reminded us of cabins and restaurants up north. We knew our family and friends would feel welcomed in the University Club space.

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 What memory stands out most from your wedding day?

Trespassing in the neighbor’s yard to have our first look under the property line trees!

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What personal touches did you add to the wedding to make it your own?

I studied Nutrition and Matt is a Chef. We spend the majority of our time cooking together and highlighted this passion by adding artichokes, cabbage, kale, pears, rosemary, and sage to our wedding flowers and decorations. Our whole family contributed their energy to make the wedding special. My mom, Julie, designed the table center pieces. My mother-in-law, Patty, printed family wedding photos, made a birch branch wish tree, a birch card box, and a framed photo for our groom’s dinner. My father-in-law, Jim, cut, stained, and wood burned our birch cake stand, table numbers, and cake topper. My sister, Amanda, water colored and designed our programs and menus. My Aunt Cathy made invitations, thank you cards, and pew bows for the ceremony. My Aunt Julie created our picture slideshow.

What readings did you have at your wedding?

Our friend Ann Smith read a passage from the book Anam Cara that focused on the celebration of our lives together.

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What was the most enjoyable part of planning your wedding?

Making the invitations and monitoring the response cards was both the most enjoyable and the most challenging part of planning our wedding. The invitations were designed by myself and my Aunt Cathy during a Spring weekend at our cabin. We then enlisted my mom and sister for a crafts assembly line. This happened more than once- they deserve multiple thank you cards!

What advice do you have for people planning a wedding?

Delegate! Accept the offers of your friends and family. Let go of the details and allow others to add creativity to your vision. Using my guidelines, themes, and colors, my friends and family made the majority of the DIY crafts.

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Any funny moments to share?

My father, Tom, made a gutsy and endearing gesture to welcome Matt to the family. He presented Matt with a Bears jersey during his toast, amidst a sea of Viking and Packer fans. The crowd reaction was explosive, the family members from Illinois cheered, but they were outnumbered by the boos and shouting of all the rest.

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

If given an unlimited budget we would have sprung for a live trio to play Gypsy Jazz during our cocktail hour.

Why did you choose Maureen Cassidy Photography?

Maureen goes above and beyond to get the perfect shot, literally. She climbed a pine tree to capture our first moments together before the ceremony. A combination of our dance lessons and her photography skills created one of my favorite photos. Maureen‘s work does not include filters or editing tricks. Her photos are crisp, lively, and captured the moments exactly as I remember. Maureen is the photographer who will make you laugh even as you’re sweating in a field in your layered dress and full tuxedo.

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Vendors!

Ceremony Venue: First Presbyterian Church, Waunakee

Reception Venue: The University Club

Hair: The Premiere of Windsor

Make up: Mary Kay

Wedding Dress: Allure, The Wedding Shoppe

Bridesmaids Dresses: Kennedy Blue, The Wedding Shoppe

Groom & Groomsmen Attire: Savvi, Minneapolis, MN

Catering & Bar-tending: The University Club Staff

Officiant: Pastor Kirk Morledge

Flowers: Klein’s Floral

Invitations: My Aunt!

Dessert: Craig’s Cakes

Photography: Maureen Cassidy Photography & the great Rejoy Photography 2nd shooting for me

DJ and/or band: Jukebox Bandstand

Favors: Donation to Youth Farms, Minneapolis, MN

Honeymoon: San Francisco, CA

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}.