A Whimsical Wedding Day for High School Sweethearts at The Pfister Hotel.
The Beginning
How They Met
Hannah and Doug first met in high school after they say next to each other in an elective sports marketing class. What began as easy conversation between classmates quickly turned into a meaningful connection, one that grew naturally from friendship into a love story years in the making.
How They Got Engaged
Doug planned the perfect surprise by teaming up with Hannah’s friends to orchestrate a heartfelt proposal along the Milwaukee lakefront. After she said yes, the celebration continued with an even bigger surprise with family and friends waiting to toast the newly engaged couple at Blu at The Pfister Hotel.
The Details
Location:
The Pfister Hotel
Season:
Spring
Style:
Bright & Elegant
Venue Type:
Ballroom
Color Palette:
Pink, Blue, Orange, Green & Yellow
Wedding Guest Count:
170
First Dance Song:
“The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra
The Planning Process
Wedding Date:
May 17, 2025
Colors and Theme:
A whimsical theme accompanied by the colors of pink, blue, orange, green and yellow.
What Was the Favorite Design Element?
“We incorporated custom artwork created for our wedding by my (Hannah) neighbor into our stationary.”
Sean Cook Weddings
Sean Cook Weddings
The Look
Bridal Gown: Bella Bianca Bridal Couture
Bridesmaids Dresses: Various Stores
Menswear: JTP Custom
How Many Dresses Did You Try On?
“As a Taylor Swift fan, I looked up the designers of the dresses she wore during “Enchanted” on the Eras Tour. I immediately loved a specific dress by Nicole + Felicia and had it brought into a bridal salon in Chicago. I changed the neckline and removed the sleeves to give it a more spring/summery feel.”
The Ceremony
Ceremony Location: The Pfister Hotel – Imperial Ballroom
Photographer: Sean Cook Weddings
Ceremony Decor:
“We had a floral focused ceremony. Florals lined the aisle and encompassed the stage where we said ‘I Do’.”
Ceremony Details & Favorite Moments:
Hannah’s brother officiated the wedding. Having a separate, personal relationship with each Hannah and Doug, he was the perfect person for the job.
Sean Cook Weddings
Sean Cook Weddings
The Reception
Reception Venue: The Pfister Hotel – Imperial Ballroom
Cake: Simma’s Bakery
What Made You Choose Your Venue?
“We loved the convenience of having our reception at the same location our guests were staying. The Imperial Ballroom has also been a longtime favorite of mine (Hannah’s). The room brought a perfect balance of elegance and grandeur, with gold accents that complimented our color palette.”
Reception Decor:
“We focused again on florals with arrangements down the middle of each long table. It was important to me that the guests tables were just as decorated as the head table. Round tables had tall florals with smaller arrangements on the table to create dimension. We brought in event more color with a pink checkered dance floor.”
Reception Details & Favorite Moments:
“Everyone loved our first dance and we had so much fun taking lessons leading up to our wedding day. We also surprised everyone with a special performance by the UW-Madison Badger Band. Around 75% of our guests were alumni or had some connection to the university, which got everyone out on the dance floor!”
Looking Back
Three Words That Described the Day:
“Joyful, Exciting & Heartfelt”
What Moments Stick With You the Most?
“There’s not a singular moment that pops out: the entire day was the best day ever and we had so much fun celebrating with our family and friends who feel like family.”
Advice or Tips for Other Couples Planning Their Wedding?
“If you are someone who is busy or easily overwhelmed, I would recommend hiring a planner. We felt it was more than worth the investment.”
Sean Cook Weddings
