Milwaukee Wedding at The Fitzgerald

A stunning, early summer Milwaukee Wisconsin wedding for two amazing souls.

How They Met

Milwaukee natives Aleshea and Sam attended high school together but didn’t know nor talk to each other back then. Sam was an upperclassman who was a bit older than Aleshea. Fast-forward to 2020, when Aleshea was home in Milwaukee for spring break while she was enrolled in graduate school in Kansas. Just as she arrived home, the pandemic shutdown began, causing her and her fellow classmates to complete their courses virtually over the next couple of months.

During this time, Aleshea and Sam both happened to be in the same area and connected on Bumble! The best part? They had been already following each other on Instagram before matching on the app. A month or so after chatting and getting to know each other, they went on their first date. They grabbed coffee and went on a long walk along the Milwaukee Lakefront. They talked about anything and everything, and the rest is history.

The Engagement

On New Year’s Eve 2021, Sam woke Aleshea up early to make her breakfast. They didn’t have any plans to ring in the new year just yet – or so she thought. Sam told her he had a gift for her and asked her to sit on the couch and shut her eyes. When he told her to open her eyes, Sam was down on one knee! It was a sweet, private moment they shared together in their apartment before sharing the news with their family and friends. As an extra surprise, Sam had bought a mug for his new fiancée that said “bride-to-be,” which, of course, she drank her coffee out of that morning.

The Dress

Aleshea found her dream wedding dress at Bliss Bridal in Brookfield. After trying on around 27 dresses, she knew it was the one because it was everything she never knew she needed in a dress. The gown featured soft tulle, off-the-shoulder sleeves, and a subtle mermaid silhouette. She simply couldn’t stop thinking about any other dress after trying it on!

The Ceremony

Aleshea and Sam tied the knot on the courtyard at The Fitzgerald in Milwaukee. With its lush ivy vines and double doors, it was the most picturesque place to get married. Aleshea’s favorite part of the ceremony was walking down the aisle after finally being announced as husband and wife! Sam’s favorite moment was seeing his beautiful bride walking down the aisle. Sam’s mother, who they both love so much, served as their officiant. The couple invited about 90 of their closest family members and friends to the ceremony, as the courtyard had a maximum capacity of 125 people. They had spent the morning together and did a private first look, private vows, and shared their private first dance together on The Fitzgerald’s courtyard. They knew it was “against tradition,” but they wanted to spend the entire day making memories together.

The Fitzgerald was only the second venue Aleshea and Sam had visited. They fell in love with the space immediately and confidently canceled all of their other venue tours after seeing it. They loved the idea of getting married in front of the ivy wall on the courtyard and absolutely adored the stunning chandelier ballroom. The Fitzgerald provided a perfect mix of vintage and modern that allowed them to incorporate the soft, romantic aesthetic they had been dreaming of.

The Reception

The reception was held in the chandelier ballroom at The Fitzgerald. The newlyweds’ favorite part was talking with all of their guests with whom they hadn’t had a chance to talk to all day. They also had a blast partying with everyone on the dance floor and feeling so surrounded by love. Aleshea especially enjoyed spending private, quiet moments together with the man she could now call her husband.

The Photos and Videos

The newlyweds took most of their photos at The Fitzgerald, since it’s just the most picturesque place, but also stopped by a church on the same block during golden hour. The photographer Claire Kreklow took some amazing shots. Videographer Eric Dolister captured lovely live moments throughout the day, which the couple has rewatched with joy.

The Food and Drinks

The dinner at Aleshea and Sam’s wedding was catered by All Occasions Catering/Bubb’s BBQ. Guests enjoyed pulled barbecue chicken and brisket with all the fixins’. For dessert, the couple booked a gelato cart from Fun Factory Sweet Shoppe, which featured seven delicious flavors served by George, the owner.

Words of Wisdom from the Bride

“Something I’d advise for brides to do while planning is to hire the videographer if you’re on the fence! You won’t regret it! I also would advise that you hire a day-of coordinator if you can, to relieve A LOT of the stress the day of because you want to enjoy the day through and through!”

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