Luisa and Tim’s Timeless Wedding at the Legend at Brandybrook

Tim and Luisa met on Match.com and had their first date at Champps in Brookfield — the same place they would later have their wedding’s rehearsal dinner. Tim proposed shortly after Luisa’s birthday in 2014. “I was away on a work trip,” she says. “When I returned home, Tim was already at my condo making us a homemade candlelit dinner. After, he told me that my birthday gift had finally arrived in the mail, and it was wrapped upstairs on my bed.”

“It was a photo album, and Tim had organized pictures of us in chronological order from when we first met, with notes next to each photo. On the last page, there was a picture of the ring and a note: ‘And… Today our engagement 7.25.14.’” Luisa stared at the picture in total shock before Tim tugged her arm to turn her around and ask her to marry him. “Of course I said yes — and started crying.”

The couple planned a classic, contemporary wedding with a church ceremony and country club reception. Luisa found her dress at La Sposa Bridal in Kenosha and the bridesmaid dresses at A Savvy Bride in Brookfield. For their September wedding’s theme and colors, the two pulled from fall tones. “We picked cranberry, ivory, and gold and had simple, elegant centerpieces of gold branches and white calla lilies.”

The ceremony was held at Holy Apostles church in New Berlin. “We had a traditional Catholic ceremony. The church was lovely and we got to pick our own music, which was nice. We also had a violinist, since we both love the violin.” The festivities then moved to the Legend at Brandybrook for the reception, including a cocktail hour and a sit-down dinner. “The up-lighting at Brandybrook is beautiful. We thought it was different from a lot of other venues — very classy.”

Luisa and Tim hosted free beer and wine all night long. For dinner, guests had three options: chicken, steak, or tilapia. “Everyone seemed very pleased and many people told us they really enjoyed the food.” Dessert came from Sweet Perfections in Waukesha — and from the from the bride’s own kitchen. “In a traditional Italian wedding, the parents of the bride typically make Italian cookies. We had two giant tables full of cookies and containers for guests to take some home.”

“Italians also like to give wedding favors with the bride and groom’s name and date of their wedding,” Luisa says. “We picked out espresso cups and plates — each family got two cups and plates wrapped in tulle and tied with gold ribbon.” In addition to personalized favors, Tim and Luisa added other unique touches to their day through DIY projects. “We created a slideshow of both of us growing up and then coming together. We also made the card box.”

Luisa and Tim had great experiences with their vendors. The reception venue was one of their favorites, but R&R Photography really tops their list. “We truly felt that Mark and Danny were connected to what we liked and wanted. They are extremely creative and never sat down for more than a few minutes. Both guys have amazing personalities — we felt comfortable right off that bat and knew we would have beautiful pictures.” That said, Luisa also admits that if she could go back and do one thing differently, she would have hired a videographer as well.

For their DJ, Tim and Luisa hired a family friend who was able to cater the music to their tastes. The first dance was actually one of Luisa’s favorite moments of the entire day: “Our first dance as husband and wife was the one time we got to be in each other’s arms and embrace the moment, as if no one else was watching.”

Invitations~Friend of the Couple
Rehearsal Dinner~Champps Americana, Brookfield, WI
Ceremony Location~Holy Apostles, New Berlin WI
Reception Location and Catering~Legends at Brandybrook, Wales, WI
Cake~Sweet Perfections, Waukesha, WI
Flowers~Petals, Brookfield, WI
Music/Entertainment~Video To Go LLC, DJ
Transportation~High Class Limousine
Photographer~R&R Photographic Imaging
Wedding Dress~David Tutera from La Sposa Bridal, Kenosha, WI
Bridesmaid Dresses~Jordan from A Savvy Bride
Men’s Formalwear~Men’s Wearhouse
Rings~Lyle Husar Designs (Tacori)