Kiley and Nathan celebrated their love at Vennebu Hill in Baraboo, Wisconsin, with a whimsical wedding full of personal touches. Wildflowers, pastel tones, and handcrafted details brought warmth and personality to the Gothic barn venue. From deer motifs inspired by their proposal to playful outdoor lawn games, every detail reflected the couple’s story.
Kiley and Nathan first met in college, forming a bond that turned into a once-in-a-lifetime love story. Together, they overcame life’s challenges, both in and outside of the classroom. After several years of dating, Nathan proposed on a beautiful fall day on Governors Island in Madison, Wisconsin. As a cute proposal detail, Deer became a meaningful symbol for the couple, appearing both on the day of their proposal and later during their first dance at the wedding.
There is no perfect timeframe for planning a wedding, but Kiley and Nathan knew a long engagement would work best for them. Kiley wrote, “I knew that I wanted to take my time with planning rather than feeling stressed and on a time crunch. This gave us the ability to shop around and visit multiple venues prior to finding the one.”
Their perfect venue was Vennebu Hill Event Venue, a charming barn venue located in Baraboo, Wisconsin. Vennebu Hill Event Venue boasts indoor and outdoor ceremony locations, a stunning lean-to reception space, beautiful views, and an outdoor patio.
Kiley wore an off-the-shoulder, long-sleeve, boho gown from Bon Bon Belle. The fabric was sleek and simple, with graceful, draping fabric. She accessorized the gown with a pop of color on her veil, featuring colorful lace detailing along the edges.
Nathan and his groomsmen wore blue suits from Indochino, paired with white undershirts, floral lapels, brown shoes, and pastel-colored ties.
The bridal party wore pastel gowns and formalwear in various colors and styles. Cora’s Creations further extended the color palette by deepening the pastel hues into bolder shades for bouquets, floral arrangements, and décor. Kiley reflected, “The most important thing to me when it came to design was the flowers. Our venue was so beautiful that it really didn’t need décor, but the flowers stole the show.”
For the occasion, Platinum Bond Salon styled Kiley’s hair into a softly waved, half-updo, showcasing her red hair and perfect for her veil. True to You Artistry used warm, peachy tones for Kiley’s eyeshadow, cheeks, and lips, bringing out her natural beauty.
Kiley stuck to tradition when it came to the details. For her something new, her mom gifted her a necklace themed for her hometown (Lake Geneva). Her something old was an heirloom string of pearls, tied onto her bouquet, and her something borrowed was her mom’s personal perfume.
The couple tied the knot inside Vennebu Hill Event Venue’s Gothic barn, beneath vaulted ceilings, a twinkling chandelier, and surrounded by their closest friends and family.
The whimsical wildflower theme continued at the reception, with florals dripping from the ceiling and adorning the tables. Kiley and Nathan created most of their own signage for the day–with some help from Kiley’s mom, including centerpieces made from thrifted books and handwritten table numbers. Other personal details included a custom bar menu honoring the couple’s two cats and seed favors. A custom, hunting-themed wooden sign also included deer details, as a nod to the couple’s proposal.
Craig’s Cake Shop provided a charming, single-tiered cake with colorful wildflower detailing. The cake was framed by the venue’s beautifully restored wine cellar and served alongside catering and desserts from Vennebu Hill Event Venue.
Before and after dinner and speeches, guests enjoyed the venue’s outdoor spaces, sipping on drinks and playing lawn games on the patio and lawn. Nathan made custom cornhole boards, and he and Kiley enjoyed watching their families and friends come together in friendly competition.
The reception concluded with dancing, with music provided by Kuhl Entertainment.
Katie Ricard Photography worked with both indoor and outdoor spaces, capturing all of the joy and vibrancy of the day, from getting ready to dreamy sunset portraits at the end of the night.
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