WISCONSIN WEDDING BLOG

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This old Hollywood glamour and Gatsby affair is fit for a movie. Taking you back in time to the 1920's with a beautiful classic white Packard limo, a mix of high and low centerpieces combined with white feathers, lush roses, and hydrangeas, this wedding is nothing short of gorgeous. Held at The Madison Club in all its elegance downtown Madison, designed by Korrine with Event Essentials and a gold six-tier masterpiece by Creative Confections by Alicia Russell, all captured so beautifully by Tim Fitch Photography

WEDDING DATE:  07/08/17 
 
HOW DID YOU MEET?  We met working together. 

HOW DID YOU KNOW HE WAS "THE ONE?" I knew he was the one by the way he looked at me. It was the same way I felt about him...and I knew. 

TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROPOSAL: The proposal was like a movie.  We were vacationing in Jamaica over New Years 2015 to 2016. On New Year's Eve, Scott arranged for a surprise private dinner on the beach.  The area was lit with candles and the champagne was popped as we were seated. I thought the dinner was the surprise.  He had selected amazing food, drinks, and dessert.  As we were about halfway through dessert, Scott said some very beautiful things about how much he loved me and our family together.  He got up from the table, walked over to me, got down on one knee, and asked me to marry him.  Of course, I said YES, with a few tears.

wedding ceremony design ideas, ceremony draping

TELL US ABOUT YOUR DRESS: My dress was a silk satin, signature Justin Alexander from Vera's Bridal.  It was a very classic mermaid style with a beautiful train and buttons down the back.

WERE THERE ANY PERSONAL TOUCHES OR DIY ELEMENTS? There were many personal touches. Guests arrived to find a 1939 white Packard limo with a red carpet to guide them into The Madison Club.  Upon entry, they could begin to sway to the tunes of the big band era played on the baby grand piano by Jay Isaacson.  As the guests made their way up the curved bridal staircase, they were greeted by my Goddaughter, Madi Wendt, with the programs.  The soft music of the ceremony space filled the room with love songs of the past. Scott has 3 beautiful children that stood up in our wedding.  Sophia as Maid of Honor, Owen as Best Man #1, and Henry as Best Man #2 and ring security.  My brother-in-law, Rodney Bardwell, became ordained in order to officiate the ceremony.  We had bible readings from Scott's sister Jenni Gibson and my sister Tamra Bardwell.  My Goddaughter, Kylie Guydon, was the feather girl (to match the theme of the wedding she dropped feathers instead of flower petals). 

 All the ladies, including sisters, mothers, and close friends, got ready in matching monogrammed shirts at The Madison Club. While the guys got ready together downstairs, dads, brothers, and sons. Everyone was provided a personalized insulated beverage cup with a lid to enjoy the beverage of their choice with no spills.  There were family photos placed throughout the entry and reception areas.  We personalized the music, breaking from tradition.  Scott's parents entered to Glenn Miller's "In the Mood," followed by Scott, Owen, and Henry, entered to Frank Sinatra's "The Best is Yet to Come," then Sophia and Kylie entered to Frank Sinatra's "All the Way," and I entered with my mother and father to Elvis Presley's "Love Me Tender." Finally, our first dance, choreographed by Vladimir and Kate at Fred Astaire's West, to Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love." The music was personally selected by Scott and I to reflect our style, sentiment, and love for each other. 

During the wedding ceremony, a local artist, Lindsey LaPlant (Expressively You), completed a painting of the bride and groom.  Meanwhile, during the cocktail hour and reception, guests could enjoy a live art sitting of a black and white art piece with customized detailing and have it framed on the spot as their wedding favor.  The drinks were personally designed and named, with The Madison Club's approval, to honor our family name, highlight our theme and pay homage to our lovely state of Wisconsin.  

These signature cocktails were The Great Gibson, The Gibson Girl, The Bees Knees, and Brandy Old Fashion. 
 

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WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE MOMENT FROM YOUR WEDDING? How can we choose just one?   Would it be the handwritten vows, the first dance, the first look, the champagne by the vintage limo, sunset photos, having our kids with us as we became a family, sharing the day with our closest friends and family, or the entire day!  I'll let you choose! 

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DESCRIBE YOUR FLOWERS: Sophia and I carried red roses while the men wore boutonnieres with white roses and white feathers.  The entryway was adorned with oversized feather arrangements.  The tables boasted centerpieces of either short white roses and hydrangeas or tall white hydrangeas with large white feathers.  The white hydrangea garland on the mantle played double duty for the ceremony and the sweetheart table. 

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DID YOU USE ANY SPECIALTY LINENS, CHAIRS, DINNERWARE OR GLASSWARE? Our guests entered the reception space, to find a large round table with an enormous white feather arrangement in the center with their champagne flutes holding their name and table number laser cut in the clear stir stick.  The chairs were infinity backs (which match our sign off to each other, ("I love you times infinity").  The table linens played to the theme as the design was actually named Gatsby.  On top of the beautifully pressed table linens were glass chargers with gold beaded detail which played well with the selected gold flatware. This look was completed with a napkin folded into a tux jacket while the menu fitted perfectly inside the jacket displaying a bow tie at the top.  The sweetheart table was beautifully displayed with the white floral garland from the ceremony while large red leather chairs pulled it all together with the red rose bouquets.  

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