December 4th, 2020 / Hartland, Wisconsin
How did your love story begin?: Zach and I met in the winter of 2017. We both graduated Carthage College earlier that year with business degrees. After graduation, I began working full time at Cree Lighting in Racine, while Zach started working at Grainger Industrial Supply in the sales division. In our spare time, I coached the dance team at Case High School, while Zach continued his studies at Carthage in the Master's of Business Design and Innovation inaugural program.
With our schedules getting busier and busier by the week, we were due for a night out with friends. I had every intention of having a girl's night with Case Co-Coach and bridesmaid, Tori - while, Zach, a night out with fellow classmates. Let it be fate.... or a few Moscow Mules.... that got us talking. After several weeks of dinner dates and game nights, Zach made it "official". 2 months later, I received a call from work asking me to relocate to their corporate office in North Carolina. Although the travel back and forth was tough, the experience was something both Zach and I wouldn't have wanted any other way. Many weekends were spent at the beach, exploring local coffee shops, and enjoying nights out in downtown Raleigh.
About a year and a half later, I made the decision to move back home to be closer to family and my soon-to-be fiancé. Now that we removed the "long distance" title, we took every opportunity to spend time with one another. You can always find us spending time with our best friends, exercising by the Kenosha harbor, or taking part in our typical Sunday routine - 10:00am church followed by 11:00am coffee.
So blah blah blah.... how did Zach pop the question!? At this time, it's important to take you back to understand the story behind the engagement. I spent 15 years dancing in The Nutcracker Ballet at the historic Woodstock Opera House in Woodstock, IL. Between the brightly decorated Woodstock Square, the soundtrack of Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker", and the overall spirit of Christmas, this time of year always meant so much to me. So much so, that it was the place both Zach and I wanted to go on our first date. Now, here we are 2 years later attending that same ballet performance. Little did I know, Zach had something extra special planned to top off the night. After the performance, Zach waited patiently outside (to cool down - of course!), while I made my rounds of "hellos" backstage. Once we met up again, Zach suggested that we take a walk around the Woodstock Square. As we made our way into the square, everything seemed normal until Zach so unexpectedly asked.... "so Jenny...what's your favorite light?" Ummm...what? What's my favorite light? That was... random, but ok. As I turned to look around in search of .... mmm... my favorite light.. he then reached for my hand to pull me back towards him. He then got down on one knee... and well... you know the rest!!
What was your vision for the wedding?: Zach and I always talked about having a warm, cozy and intimate December wedding. The silver lining of having a Covid wedding is that we were able to pull off the intimidate feeling no problem! Zach and I went back and forth with our venue. I knew I didn't want a barn or country club so that pretty much ruled out anything in Wisconsin suburbia. I kept overhearing my mom's constant raves about Rustic Manor and her recommendation to "just go and tour it and see if you like it", so I finally gave in. After spending 5 minutes at Rustic Manor, their team and I were already discussing dates and details. It was a no brainer and I truly felt like the venue would be perfect for that warm, cozy vibe we wanted.
When it came to choosing our vendors, we wanted to pick people that we saw a bit of ourselves in their work. Our photographer and videographer matched our vibe perfectly. They got our vision from when we first met and it was an easy decision to have them at our wedding. Our DJ was honestly someone I wanted to become friends with! When we asked for a party, he certainly did not disappoint.
Tell us all about your dress!: I scheduled my very first bridal appointment with Strike Bridal Bar. I discovered Strike on Instagram and fell in love with the boutique's personality. I was drawn to the staff and how they truly had a passion for finding brides the perfect gown. It's more than just a sale. I went in to the appointment with an idea of what I wanted, but was open to trying different styles. I mean how often do you get to play dress up with such beautiful gowns? My ultimate goal was to find the dress I felt the most beautiful, but also the most myself in.
I tried on all the styles. I'm talking modern and fitted, fit and flare, ballgown, whimsical and romantic, A-line - you name it - I had her on. But, I kept looking over at this one A-line, beaded lace, v-neck, sleeved beauty. When I tried her on, it was truly that "love at first sight" feeling. I mean I was in love.
My Alena Leena gown was absolutely stunning and everything I hoped for! I wanted a dress I felt beautiful and confident in and this dress did just that. The intricate beading and lace detail work provided both a vintage, yet modern flair. It was timeless! What I loved most was that this dress was completely customizable! My sleeves were detachable and was delivered exactly how I wanted it, discrete and comfortable. I couldn’t have imagined it any better. I have received an overwhelming amount of compliments on this dress and I am so grateful Alena Leena Bridal was able to make all my wedding dress dreams come true.
You planned and you planned, but how did the day ACTUALLY go?!: Our wedding was everything we dreamed of and more! The Rustic Manor barn was warm and cozy just as we pictured for a December wedding. Vintique Rental and Avant Gardens absolutely owned our winter bohemian vibe! Craig Berns made the bride tribe and I feel like an elite groups of yass queens. Dramatic? Not really. But really, Zach and I were in awe with how well our vendors were able to cooperate with the circumstances.
Every wedding as its "blooper" moments. For us, it was forgetting a bridesmaid's bouquet back at the reception venue before the church ceremony. Oops!
My favorite fun facts about the wedding I look back on are:
- I danced to every song that played at our wedding
- I DIY'd my save the dates and thank you cards at each guest's place setting
- I painted and wrote every sign (Welcome, guestbook, open bar, etc.)
Our favorite memory from the night is when we had our "Dirty Dancing" moment with all our friends and family in a circle around us!
What is your best advice for future brides-to-be?: My best advice for future brides-to-be is don't forget about who you are. Your wedding should be a reflection of you and your relationship with your future partner. You don't want to look back on your wedding day and see a manufactured, unfamiliar couple. I am all for wedding themes, but don't change who you are to fit the idea of what other people think your day should look like.
Dress: Custom Gingko by Alena Leena at Strike Bridal Bar
Venue: Rustic Manor 1848
Photography: Sarah Glick Photography
Videography: Character D Films
Floral: Avant Gardens
Rentals: Vintique Rentals
Hair & Makeup: Craig Berns
Catering: Tall Guy and a Grill
Dessert: Nothing Bundt Cakes
DJ: Sound by Design
Invitations: Coqui Paperie
Transportation: GO Riteway Transportation
Alterations: CTS Custom Tailoring Services
