In a world where so many connections begin behind a screen, Sara & Jake’s started in person. While they were students at UW–Madison, Jake’s sister, Alie, introduced him to her friend Sara—without realizing she was introducing his future wife!
Over the next few years, the couple completed their degrees, began building their careers, and adopted a dog and a cat together. Jake proposed on a romantic outing on the Capitol grounds.
Prevailing Winds Lodge was the perfect venue to accommodate the couple’s 300 guests. Located just outside of Madison, the secluded venue includes 62 acres of rolling hills, open prairies, and hardwood forests, with both indoor and outdoor ceremony locations, as well as on-site preparation suites!
The venue also enhanced Sara & Jake’s chosen color palette, a natural woods theme with green, white, and cool pastels.
Jake and his groomsmen wore matching beige suits from The Suit Shop, with coordinating vests, crisp white undershirts, brown shoes, and floral boutonnieres. As a subtle way to stand out, Jake wore a white tie, while his groomsmen wore pale blush.
While she chose to wear white, Sara still incorporated her Pakistani roots with a two-piece wedding dress from Grace Loves Lace. The dress style had nods to the lehenga choli, a traditionally 3-piece outfit comprising a long, flowing skirt, a fitted blouse, and a decorative scarf. Sara’s dress featured a square neckline, elbow-length sleeves, and a maxi skirt, all made from luxe fabric with a shimmery embroidered overlay.
Opal Beauty + Wellness kept makeup naturally beautiful, fulfilling Sara’s vision. Her hair, by Tarah Nelson Artistry, was a soft, half-updo with a wrapped bun and loose curls.
Sara’s bridesmaids chose unique yet coordinating dresses in a range of styles, colors, and patterns. Each dress stayed within the soft color palette, with shades of blush, sage, green, lavender, and peach. Each bridesmaid also wore a loose updo, also by Tarah Nelson Artistry, which helped unify the looks.
Sara recalled exchanging vows as her favorite moment, writing,
“[The vows] occurred during the one moment there was a break in the rain and there was a rainbow behind us. They were so raw and authentic. We looked out, and everyone’s eyes were wet!”
Photographer Liv + Remember not only braved the weather but also captured the beautiful rainbow in Sara & Jake’s one-of-a-kind couple portraits!
Florals by Flower Shop Weddings were lush and simple, composed of hydrangea, dahlia, and peonies with orange centers. Bouquets and potted florals at the ceremony were white, while centerpieces at the reception focused on early, green blooms, and plenty of additional greenery.
In addition to the florals, the elevated garden aesthetic came to life thanks to rentals and décor from Event Essentials Madison, including linens, chairs, candles, and more. Personal touches also included custom napkins from Open Air Paper and an audio guestbook from After the Tone.
Guests enjoyed a cocktail hour followed by catering from Chef Chanse and plenty of delicious desserts, including a Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream truck!
For their wedding cake, Madison Sourdough provided a simple, single-tier take with decorative frosting and fruit on top. Cookies from Levain Bakery double as desserts and favors, individually wrapped for guests to take home at the end of the night.
As the sun set, the string lights inside the reception tent lit up for dinner, speeches, and special dances. C’Est La Vie Events kept the dance floor full all night with music and entertainment.
Sara & Jake credit their planner, Miriam Events Co., for helping everything come together and assisting when unexpected weather might have derailed their day. They recommended finding a wedding planner who not only stays organized but also holds you accountable through timelines, contracts, and decision-making.
Also notable, Sara & Jake used our very own WedPlan Planning Companion during their vendor search!
Love the details from Sara & Jake’s day? Click the vendor profiles and full vendor list below to learn more about the professionals who brought their vision to life.
And if you’re ready to start building your own dream team? Head to our vendor page to browse trusted local pros and find the right fit for your wedding.
