The Planning Process

Allie and Powell envisioned a wedding that was simple, clean, and classic, with the relaxed atmosphere of a summer weekend on the lake.

Hosting their reception at Allie’s childhood home on Okauchee Lake made the celebration especially meaningful. Not only would they be making new memories in a place filled with old ones, but they also had the opportunity to share a piece of home with loved ones who had never experienced it before.

Their vision came together through a mix of clean, timeless details and bold summer colors. Vibrant pinks, oranges, yellows, and blues brought plenty of personality to the design, while the sailcloth reception tent became a focal point of the celebration. From the floor plan and table arrangements to the beautiful florals, the space felt both elegant and welcoming.

Krista, of Weddings With A Twist, served as their day-of coordinator, helping everything run smoothly so the couple could enjoy the celebration with their guests.

Wedding Day Looks

Allie found her wedding dress at Strike Bridal Bar, and it was love at first try-on! The very first gown she tried at her first appointment turned out to be the one. While they still had fun visiting other boutiques, she knew she’d already found the dress that felt perfectly like her.

Her romantic gown featured delicate straps, a flowing skirt, and subtle floral details, paired with a long veil. Black Orchid Beauty completed the hair and makeup looks for her and her bridal party.

Powell wore a classic white jacket paired with black trousers and a black bow tie. His groomsmen wore all black tuxedos, while the bridesmaids wore soft sage green dresses.

The bridesmaids’ colorful bouquets from Impressions by Esther Flemming added vibrant pops of pink, orange, and yellow, creating a beautiful contrast against their green dresses and the summer lakefront backdrop.

Wedding Ceremony

The couple exchanged vows at St. John’s Military Academy in Delafield, Wisconsin. With its stunning stained-glass windows, stone walls, and historic architecture, the chapel was beautiful all on its own.

In fact, the couple chose not to add any ceremony decorations at all. Other than the wedding party’s bouquets, they let the chapel’s natural beauty speak for itself.

Gabriels Horns provided ceremony music, including “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” as Allie made her way down the aisle. The ceremony was officiated by a family member, making the occasion even more personal.

For Allie, walking down the aisle with her father and seeing the chapel filled with loved ones was an unforgettable moment. She and Powell wrote their own vows and shared them during the ceremony, something they both consider one of the most meaningful parts of the entire day.

Capturing the Day

Autumn Silva Photography was an easy choice for Allie and Powell. Having photographed several family weddings, Autumn had already become a family favorite. The couple loved her timeless, authentic style and her talent for capturing candid, meaningful moments throughout the celebration.

Brandon Condon of Black Frame Motion captured the day on video. Like Autumn, Brandon had a natural ability to document the celebration without getting in the way of the moments unfolding. The couple especially appreciated how he listened to their vision and created a wedding film that felt true to their day.

The Reception

Following the ceremony, the celebration moved to Allie’s childhood home on Okauchee Lake, where a stunning sailcloth tent from Blue Peak Tents awaited guests. The team at Saz’s Hospitality played an important role in bringing the reception together, working closely with the couple throughout the planning process to make sure everything came together beautifully.

“From our tasting and planning sessions to the home walk-throughs and the big day itself, they were phenomonal.”

The reception combined the charm of a summer lake weekend with thoughtful, colorful details. Impressions by Esther Flemming filled the tent with bright pink, orange, yellow, blue, and white blooms, while clean table settings, botanical-patterned linens from Windy City Linen, and warm lighting created an inviting atmosphere. Tables and chairs from Canopies completed the setup.

Milwaukee Airwaves Productions provided the pipe and drape, lighting, and uplighting that helped bring the reception space together.

One of the most personal details was waiting at each guest’s seat. Rather than traditional place cards, Allie and Powell wrote individual notes to every guest, adding a heartfelt touch to the dinner tables.

Guests enjoyed a lakeside cocktail hour with saxophone and guitar music from Gabriel’s Horns, along with custom bars from Bartique Bars. The wedding party even made a surprise entrance to cocktail hour by party boat instead of arriving by bus!

Dinner was served family-style by Saz’s, a choice that made the meal feel relaxed and welcoming, just like gathering around the table at home. The food earned plenty of compliments from guests and was one of the couple’s favorite parts of the evening.

After dinner, Affinity Band from Aragon Artists took over the entertainment, filling the tent with live music and keeping the celebration going. The couple shared their first dance to “Joy of My Life” by Chris Stapleton.

Another unforgettable moment came during Allie’s father-daughter dance. The two had secretly relearned part of a dance they’d performed together 20 years earlier. As they recreated the choreography, the original performance played on a screen behind them before they transitioned into their main dance. It was a sweet surprise and a meaningful way to revisit a favorite family memory.

Milwaukee Airwaves provided DJ entertainment and emceed the evening, including taking over the music for the final hour of dancing.

Looking back, Allie and Powell say it was the feeling of having everyone together under the tent that stood out most. Surrounded by their favorite people, laughter, music, and so much love, the entire celebration felt like home.

Advice from the Bride and Groom

Allie and Powell’s biggest advice for couples planning their wedding? Have fun with it!

“The planning process is what you make it. Embrace the ups and downs and enjoy the journey with your loved ones.”

They encourage couples to enjoy the opportunity to thoughtfully create a day that feels meaningful and true to them. For Allie and Powell, that meant celebrating in a place they loved, incorporating personal family moments, and making sure their guests felt just as much a part of the day as they did.