Theatre first brought Arianna & John together at UW-Madison, and after eight years together, they exchanged vows on stage, with love, romance, and a little bit of drama at the forefront.
Since the Orpheum Theatre first opened its doors in 1927, it has been a fixture in the Madison community. The historic building has undergone many transformations over the years, with the current renovations honoring its original Art Deco exterior and French Renaissance interior. Arianna & John included many homages to the theatre in their stationery, signage, and décor, from the black and white checkered flooring to vintage poster inspired welcome sign, and Playbill ceremony programs.
The theatre’s iconic marquee was also dressed for the occasion, set with the couple’s names and wedding date, and fully lit later in the evening.
When it came to planning their big day, personal details and unique experiences were a must. Arianna and John combined a first look with a private vow exchange before their ceremony, framed by a painted sun-and-moon backdrop. Arianna reflected,
“Having a moment alone in the beautiful space and really sharing a quiet moment alone is a memory that will always be so clear before the rest of the wedding (which goes so fast!).”
Arianna and John incorporated many of their favorite things into their wedding day. Their color palette consisted of black, white, deep green, blush, and gold, with maximalist florals from Lily Forest Designs, décor, and dramatic mood lighting. They included candles for Phantom of the Opera, soaring lanterns for the movie Tangled, and further personalized with references to their travel destinations and a custom bar menu named for their cats.
Arianna wore a satin ballgown with a sculptural bodice, subtle basque waist, lace detailing, and cathedral-length train. Lotus Artistry Studio styled a soft, glowing makeup look for the bride that complemented her loosely curled hair. Accessories included pearl drop earrings, a simple pearl necklace, and a pearl-encrusted tulle, fingertip veil.
John wore a deep green suit with a crisp white undershirt and a patterned tie.
Photographer, Krysta Holden Photo, expertly navigated high-contrast lighting, soaring compositions, and multiple backdrops, preserving every detail, emotional moment, and all the magic from Arianna & John’s big day.
The glowing, celestial ambiance further came together thanks to rentals and décor from Velvet Rentals, Event Essentials, and BBJ La Tavola.
Blue Plate Catering served a delicious dinner at the reception, where guests ate, drank, listened to speeches, and danced on the checkered floor set in the middle of the table arrangement. In the spirit of performance and entertainment, the couple hired dueling pianos, Felix and Fingers, to provide music for the evening. Arianna and John recall the performance as the perfect blend of live music and guest interaction, praised by guests long after the night was over.
The couple credits their wedding planner, Olive Branch Events Co., for helping during every step of the process and ensuring the day ran smoothly. Arianna gushed,
“Hiring a planner was the best decision we made! It helped us and our family
truly enjoy the day without any worries.”
The Baked Lab provided cake and desserts for the evening. The couple’s wedding cake was a two-tier white cake with decorative piped frosting, cherries, and a custom celestial cake-topper.
As a final note to couples currently in the wedding planning process, Arianna reminds, “It’s s no one else’s love story but yours! It’s important to think about all those little things you love together – they can all come together to create something magical that you and your loved ones will cherish forever.”
For more Madison, Wisconsin area wedding inspiration, visit our blog and follow us on socials @wedplanmadison!
