All 4 Love | Milwaukee Wedding Photographer

I'm so glad you're my girl

I'll do anything 4 U

Call U evry night

And give U flowers 2

I thank the Lord 4 U

And think about U all the time

I ask him everyday

That you'll 4-ever B mine

- Color Me Badd

I had to use this Color Me Badd song, simply because the DJ's from Sound By Design played it at Katie and Tim's wedding last night. I hadn't heard it for probably a good 15 years...and now it's stuck in my head.+

Yesterday was a study in pop-culture references for Katie and Tim's Milwaukee wedding. The day kicked off with a beautiful full-Mass ceremony at the Church of the Gesu , which is one of my favorite Catholic churches in Milwaukee. Its just gorgeous.

We followed up the ceremony with a quick trip to the Art Museum, where the wind was kickin'....big time. We did get in one "must-take" shot, requested by the groomsmen, of a football play. This photographer knows so much about football than when I asked one of the guys to come in a bit closer, he looked at me and said "Uh...I can't. I'm the tight end!"

Shows how much I know!

We hit up the downtown area surrounding the reception location, The Grain Exchange, where the excellent ideas from the bridal party really took off. An homage to West Side Story was a must...as was a recreation of the fight/dance scene from Michael Jackson's "Beat It" (complete with sound effects compliments of the groomsmen). Gotta love a wedding party with ideas!

The reception was decorated to the hilt with gorgeous flower arrangements mixed in with pumpkins and cupcakes topped with bats....a bit of a nod to the weekend festivities. The speeches were especially note-worthy...as both the Matron of Honor and the Best Man decided to do visual aids with their toasts....the comparison between the groom and Golom was a highlight, for sure!

It was a wonderful evening, and Katie and Tim were surrounded by supportive, loving family and friends. It was also my 2nd to last wedding of the season...a season that went FAR too quickly!

I hope you enjoy your sneak peek! I had a blast with your group yesterday!

Church of the Gesu. Absolutely STUNNING.

This little guy decided to take a bit of a stroll during Communion

SHARKS!! JETS!!!

"Showin' how funky strong is your fight"

Direction from the groomsmen: "You've just been given a puppy!" ....um...okay!

Ceremony: Church of the Gesu Milwaukee, WI

Reception: Grain Exchange Milwaukee, WI

DJ: Sound by Design

Catering: Bartolotta

Basilica, ABBA, Pauly D, and Harley...Common Bonds | Milwaukee Wedding Photographer

This is going to be a tough one to keep brief. This wedding had so much involved in the way of "funny stories I must remember for the blog" that even coming up with a somewhat appropriate title was a bit daunting.

I always try to remember themes....songs....stories. What came up for Paul and Katie's was: The Basilica....the band ABBA...a sighting of Pauly D...and Harley. Completely unrelated things...but somehow they all came together to create a wonderful wedding day.

Paul and Katie were married at the absolutely STUNNING Basilica of St. Josephat in Milwaukee. Now, if you've never paid a visit to this Milwaukee landmark, it may sound a bit trite when I say "stunning", but take my word for it...there are no other words to describe this place. It's truly breathtaking.

The former Bishop of Milwaukee, Bishop William Callahan, officiated the service...which was a full mass in all it's glory.

We made a few stops for pictures, including the art museum and the always awesome Iron Horse Hotel. I'm mid-shot when my 2nd shooter Maggie grabs my arm and says "The cast of JERSEY SHORE is here!"

Well..not the cast. Turns out this guy, Pauly D (I'm old...I don't watch this stuff! He's on that show, right?), was paying a visit to Milwaukee...and the lobby of the Iron Horse. Celebrity sightings at a wedding...good stuff, the things memories are made of.

Now, you may be stopping and asking yourself "Amanda....where does ABBA come in? Your story telling abilities are quite lacking....."

This is one I promised Paul would be blog-making, simply because it was pretty funny. I was talking to bride and groom, getting them relaxed during portraits, and Paul told me about the first time he told Katie that he loved her.

It was a great story.

For one, the guy waited a whole year....

For two, he did it at an ABBA tribute concert (Katie says it was probably during Mamma Mia!)

For three, Katie's response was "No you don't!" Or something to that affect...

Paul made a promise to spend the rest of his life proving it to her. (Insert AWWWWWWW here).

The reception was held at the Harley-Davidson Museum . Even though we lived in Milwaukee for some time, I had never been there before. What a neat place for pictures...lots of steel and gritty backdrops. Right up my alley.

It was a raucous good time. Paul and Katie have an envy-worthy group of friends and family that know how to bring out the PAR-TAY. The dancing! My lord, the DANCING! It was just a trip to watch....talk about commitment to a craft. Paul and Katie carefully orchestrated a first dance that paid homage to some great movie-dance moments of the past....and to their rivaling football teams.

All in all, it was a great day....and I hope this blog post doesn't come off as rambling as it feels, but I wanted to get it all in!

Maggie and I enjoyed your day, Paul and Katie....thank you for allow us to take part. Enjoy your sneak peek!

The cufflink that wasn't a cufflink.

Even the BASEMENT of the Basilica is awesome.

Breathtaking.

Wind is my friend, sometimes.

The "Wedding Ring" (Paul and Katie's collection of friends and family that stood up with them as they took their vows)

This is just a small snippet of the 1st dance....trust me folks...for those who witnessed it...it was truly epic.

Commitment to the craft of dancing. I went through hundreds of "dancing" shots trying to find the one that encapsulated the "feel" of the dancefloor the best. It was a TASK...believe me, but this one was pretty funny, so here you go!

Ceremony: The Basilica of St. Josaphat Milwaukee, WI

Reception: Harley-Davidson Museum Milwaukee, WI

Videographer: Charms Video

DJ: Black Tie DJ

Picture Locations: Milwaukee Art Museum

Iron Horse Hotel

All Night Long. | Milwaukee Wedding Photographer.

Well, my friends the time has come,
Raise the roof and have some fun.
Throw a-way de work to be done,
Let the music play on.
- Lionel Richie

Yesterday was probably one of the most relaxed, "schedule be-darned", laid-back weddings I've done in a really long time. Even though bride Barbara is apparently known for her meticulous schedule keeping, we had so much time to play with between ceremony and reception that any timeline really didn't seem to matter....which was awesome.

It gave us several hours to do pictures, relax, drink some Hamms (well..THEY drank some Hamms...though I did get to hold some of the cans during the bus ride while necessary Ipod hook-ups took place). I was kind of surprised to find out that they still SOLD Hamms...but...I'm getting off track.

Devlin and Barb's ceremony was held at the absolutely STUNNING Church of the Gesu in Milwaukee. Because they opted for the "morning" ceremony, we had plenty of time to hit multiple picture locations. Score for this photographer!
We opted to visit the St. Joan of Arc Chapel on the Marquette Campus first, which was easily within walking distance of the church. Then, we hopped on the bus and took a fun trip around downtown, stopping off at Jimmy John's for subs (my FIRST time having a Jimmy John's sub....yes folks, I was sheltered). Then, it was off to the Third Ward area for more pictures.

Sadly, we were cut a BIT short by a freak downpour, but no worries! The group headed on to the Wisconsin Club where we got to sit back, relax, check out the room before hand....it was great.

The party kicked off and I can bet that even after I left, the dancefloor was packed "all night long". It was just a fun, ready-to-celebrate group.

I had a wonderful time with you and your friends yesterday, Barb and Devlin. Enjoy the sneak peek!

The Wisconsin Club wins for "Best Wallpaper in a Bridal Gown Shot". Hands down. LOVE.

The gals. Workin' it out.

This picture says a lot about the mood of the day: fun, silly, and lots of laughing.

They look serene, but this being downtown Milwaukee....we were only a few steps away from a big rat trap. Would never know.....

The drink du jour....yes folks, they still sell HAMMS!

Fancy Nike kicks.

Barb's brother sang the 1st dance song. I was blown away, it was fabulous. Before anyone got to the reception he was playing the guitar and this guy is chock full-o-talent. It was great.

I'll give someone major "cool points" if they can guess what song these girls are singing. Think "BIG NOTE".

Ceremony: Church of the Gesu Milwaukee, WI
Reception: Wisconsin Club Milwaukee, WI
Makeup: Blush Milwaukee, WI
Hair: Krystal Mydlowski
Tuxes: Men's Warehouse
Flowers: Muscari Milwaukee, WI
DJ: Muzic in Motion
Photobooth: Shutterbooth
Cake: Simma's
Picture Locations: St. Joan of Arc Chapel, Third Ward