July 17, 2021 / Milwaukee, Wisconsin

How did your love story begin? I met Nevin while attending a party hosted by a mutual friend prior to a night of dancing. Little did I know that the dances we shared on this night were only the first few of a lifetime. As we continued to see each other at dance events throughout Milwaukee, we got to know each other and our friendship grew. We also began to spend time together outside dancing by sharing meals, attending art shows, browsing local markets, and going on countless walks along the lakefront. We began to realize that we shared a passion not only for dance but also for culture, travel, food, and more. We started to get lost in conversations, sharing stories, our dreams, and our feelings for one another. Eventually, our friendship blossomed into a loving relationship.

As our relationship continued to grow, little did I know that Nevin was making plans for the next step in our story. He had asked for my father's permission to propose during one of our trips to visit my family. On July 17, 2020, he suggested we get takeout from one of my favorite Milwaukee restaurants, Three Brothers. Instead of eating at home, Nevin recommended we have a picnic at the lakefront. After finishing our food on the beach, Nevin asked me if I would like to dance and I agreed. While turning me during our dance, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I of course said yes!

We ventured into the next step of our story taking time exploring various wedding venues around Wisconsin. We fell in love with the historic charm of The Hyde at St. James 1868 in downtown Milwaukee and chose to be married there on the anniversary of our engagement. As planning moved forward, we took time to review and discuss choices together. I used various online services and spreadsheets to help track our progress and guide our progress.

What was your vision for your wedding?: Our vision for the wedding was that of a classic romance with elegant touches. We chose maroon and blush tones for the bridesmaids and soft gray suits for the groomsmen. We accented the decor with touches of gold, plenty of candles, and beautiful garden-inspired florals. We accented the flowers with fragrant hops to pay homage to our love of Milwaukee's craft breweries.

It was this vision that guided us in making selections of vendors. Often, I would collect information on many vendors before narrowing them down to the top few choices that I would then share with Nevin. Together, we would examine reviews of the vendors, photos of their previous work, and pricing information before making a final decision. We included sentimental touches throughout the wedding to aid in making it uniquely our own, including a memorial seat in honor of Nevin's mother and peonies in my bridal bouquet to recognize my home state of Indiana.

As both of us enjoy cooking, food was one element that was especially important to us. We selected a menu that was served family-style, encouraging each table of guests to interact as they enjoyed. We choose dishes that included Italian, Asian, and Latin influences to demonstrate our own love of exploring the world. Our cake was not only beautiful, but wonderfully delicious featuring almond cake layered with chocolate butter cream and raspberries. The top tier that we took home was too irresistible to freeze and instead gotten eaten over the next week. We agreed to order an anniversary cake from the bakery the next year instead.

Tell us all about your wedding dress!: I had been a fan of Strike since its opening in 2019. I regularly admired the beautiful dresses and accessories featured on their social media accounts. I would reply to their model call-outs in hopes of experiencing such masterpieces in person. So, when I became engaged, there was no doubt in my mind that Strike was where I would find a dress all my own. However, with so many beautiful options to choose from, I was nervous about finding the dress in the allotted appointment time. When I called the store, Abby offered her reassurance and support by booking me as the last appointment of the day to offer any necessary wiggle room.

Once the appointment was set, I began researching each designer carried by Strike to help me pinpoint what I loved. The romance provided in Alena Leena's designs captured my heart. During my appointment, I tried on several gowns to help me determine what felt most like me and would allow me to dance the night away, not only beautifully but comfortably. My party and I settled on Miltonia, which offered beautiful botanical lace, an illusion neckline, and gorgeous scooped back. I chose to pair the dress with a simple cathedral veil for the ceremony. And in the end, that extra wiggle room for my appointment wasn't even needed!

You planned and you planned, but how did the day ACTUALLY go?!: On the day of the wedding, Nevin and I celebrated our love story surrounded by family and friends. There was plenty of laughter, happy tears, and of course dances. As a gift to our guests, we even hosted a short dance lesson so that everyone could share our passion and hit the dance floor with confidence! The day was full of beautiful memories and was a wonderful start for our forever together.

What is your best advice for future brides-to-be?: My advice to future brides is to take your time. All of the planning can easily become overwhelming but it is important to remember that this special day is truly about sharing your love and joy. Therefore, remember to embrace that short period of time where you love calling each other "fiance" before the big "I Do".

When dress shopping, I recommend trusting how you feel. Be honest with your consultant about your thoughts on each dress, even if they might not be the same thoughts as your party. The staff at Strike are always happy to go above and beyond to discuss the different dress and customization options with you. They are also truly on your team and will make you feel like the gorgeous bride you deserve to be!