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Mitch had been waiting for just the right moment to ask Molly to marry him. He was hoping for a fall proposal, but found he just couldn’t wait any longer. With a weekend up north on the horizon, with both of their families in tow, Mitch knew he had to seize the opportunity.
Mitch decided on the perfect spot to propose: the lakeside dock where he and Molly had shared many stories and plans for the future. “I strung Christmas lights along the dock and had our song playing,” Mitch says. Once everything was arranged just so, Mitch had Molly’s dad send her down to the dock. “We were so happy and excited, I almost forgot to get down on one knee and ask the question!” he laughs. But Mitch did ask, and Molly, of course, said yes.
Molly and Mitch planned a July wedding at the newly-renovated War Memorial Center in downtown Milwaukee, with its breathtaking views of Lake Michigan. The theme of their wedding centered on flowers and nature. “We had such a beautiful outdoor space right on the lake for our ceremony, so we wanted to focus on that light, airy, outdoor feel throughout the entire night. Our florist, Feisty Flowers, really made this dream come to life. It was better than we could have imagined!”
To work with the shoreline, the bridal party embraced a soft, blue-grey color palette. The bridesmaids wore flowing dresses in slate grey. The groomsmen were clad in grey suits, while the groom stood out in navy blue. As for lovely bride Molly, she shone in her Martina Liana Bridal gown from Miss Ruby- Bridal Boutique with its luscious layers of tulle and lace — a true stunner!
Mitch and Molly’s ceremony was held right on the waters of Lake Michigan with a perfect summer breeze. Before the ceremony started, the bridal party stopped at Veteran’s Park to snap some pictures. The Milwaukee Air & Water Show ended just a half-hour before the ceremony began — perfect timing!
Molly says her favorite part of the ceremony was how their officiant, the pastor at her parents’ church in Rockford, made everything so very personal. “Two weeks prior, he sent us a questionnaire about our relationship that we had to answer separately and send back to him,” Molly explains. “He then read the answers during the ceremony. This special touch was sweet and emotional, not just for Mitch and I, but also for our guests who got to hear the story of our relationship in such an intimate way. This was absolutely one of my favorite parts of the wedding.”
One of Mitch and Molly’s highest priorities on their wedding day was food. “We consider ourselves big foodies. We spend our free time exploring the foodie scene here in Milwaukee, trying out new bars and restaurants. So when it came to our wedding, we wanted not only great wedding food, but great food that could stand on its own.” The two went to about five different tastings with local caterers, but were quickly won over by Chef Jack’s.
During cocktail hour, there were six different passed hors d’oeuvres and three signature cocktails. The bride’s cocktail was a take on a gin fizz, the grooms was a take on an Old Fashioned, and the third was a Malibu Sunrise in honor of Molly and Mitch’s miniature dachshund. “The appetizers and drinks were perfect for a hot outdoor cocktail hour!”
For dinner, there were food stations. There was a salad station complete with fresh fruit, cheese, and breadsticks. There was also a pasta station and a carving station. Molly’s favorite, however, was the seafood station, which included stone crab claws, peel ’n’ eat shrimp, smoked salmon, and several different sauces. “I love seafood, especially in summer, so I thought it was a unique food option that you don’t typically see at weddings.”
As a sweet treat to follow, The Cake Lady provided a delicious lavender cake. Chef Jack’s let guests know that it was desert time by passing out tiny chocolate shot glasses filled with Bailey’s. “It was such a sweet touch that all our guests raved about!” For a late-night snack, Chef Jack’s brought out sliders and kettle chips. There were also mini ice cream cones.
As a wedding favor to their guests, Mitch and Molly leaned into their names. “We ordered wedding-themed bulk M&Ms online because we are M&M!” Mitch’s mom put the M&Ms in bags, tied them with ribbons, and sealed them with the same wax logo used on Molly and Mitch’s wedding invitations. “It was the perfect favor for our guests,” Molly says. “I’m truly blessed to have a mother-in-law who would create 250 wedding favors for us!”
Looking back, Molly says the moment that sticks with her most is when Mitch pulled her aside during the reception. “He wanted us both to take a step back and enjoy the moment, just the two of us. We had worked so hard and looked so forward to this day for so long, he wanted to make sure we took a second to enjoy it and realize how many people came to support us. It’s a moment that will stick with me forever.”
Make-up and Hair | Get Dolled Up |
Invitations | Design That Flies |
Rehearsal Dinner | Dimoda Pizza |
Ceremony and Reception | War Memorial Center |
Catering and Bartending | Chef Jack’s Catering |
Cake Designer/Dessert | The Cake Lady and Purple Door Ice Cream |
Custom Signage | Miss Design Berry |
Flowers | Feisty Flowers |
Music/Entertainment | Sound by Design |
Officiant | Gregg Giamalva |
Transportation | Sound by Design |
Photographer | Luis Hermosillo Photography |
PhotoBooth and Video | Sound by Design |
Bride’s Gown | Martina Liana Bridal from Miss Ruby Bridal Boutique |
Formalwear | Amelishan Bridal, Groom’s Suit and NL Suits |
Linens | Chef Jack’s Catering |
Chairs | War Memorial Center |
Rings | Gold Creations in Brookfield, Wisconsin |
Categorized in: Blue/Aqua/Navy, Downtown, Historic, Modern/Industrial, Real Weddings, Summer, Whites/Grays/Silvers, Yellow/Gold/Ivory/Creams