Lori & Chris’ Pure & Passionate Gallery Wedding

Lori and Chris both grew up in Milwaukee and met the new-fashioned way: On OKCupid. When Chris proposed, it was Lori’s birthday, and he popped the question at the same restaurant, same table as their very first date. The two planned an artsy wedding ceremony and celebration at RedLine Milwaukee — an art gallery where Lori is a co-founder. In keeping with the downtown vibe, on the eve of the wedding, the couple hosted a rehearsal dinner at The Crow’s Nest on the rooftop of the Kimpton Journeyman Hotel in the Third Ward.

The theme of the wedding was Passion vs. Purity — something that Lori and Chris worked into the colors, food, and entire atmosphere of their wedding. “Guests were asked to wear red or white to affiliate with either passion or purity. The food and drinks played off either passion (hot and spicy) or purity (clean and healthy).” The artwork inside the venue was even chosen to work with the Passion vs. Purity theme.

For the ceremony, Lori’s gallery partner officiated, and the gallery pieces curated for the ceremony walked guests though the pure and passionate journey of Chris and Lori’s relationship. Live painter Jenny Anderson painted a plein-air artwork of the ceremony on site.

During the reception, guests enjoyed a number of food stations — some pure and some not. “The chef created a menu around the Passion/Purity theme, and around the foods we would typically order when dining out.” After dinner, the Five Card Studs got everyone up on their feet to dance, and live painter Skully Skyrocket painted an industrial door at the back of the gallery, which is now a permanent fixture in the gallery.

Lori and Chris pulled off their unforgettable day with the help of wedding planner Oscar at Ambrosia Events. “Oscar created the dream!” Lori says. “I wish I’d called him sooner. Best money ever spent. He listened and nailed the vision with an eye for detail like a true artist.” Oscar even sculpted a gorgeous life-size wedding dress out of flowers — a real show-stopping piece. All the artful beauty aside, Lori and Chris agree that the vows were really the most special moment of the day: “They were incredibly personal, pure and passionate, and always laced with humor.”

Wedding Consultant~Ambrosia Events
Rehearsal Dinner~The Crow’s Nest at the Kimpton Journeyman Hotel, Third Ward
Ceremony & Reception~RedLine Milwaukee, Art Gallery
Catering & Dessert~Chef James Jen
Flowers~Ambrosia Events
Music/Entertainment~DJ Jason Volkoff and Five Card Studs
Photographer~Mark Hines
Bride’s Jumpsuit~Kelvin Haydon Designs
Formalwear~Men’s Wearhouse, Whitefish Bay
Rings~London Gold, Scottsdale, AZ
Rentals~Ambrosia Events