Emily & Nate’s Summery Lake Country Wedding

Nate from Glendale and Emily from Pewaukee met while at Cardinal Stritch University. The two got engaged in December of 2014, after their annual trip through downtown Milwaukee to look at the Christmas lights. Nate said he had one more stop on the list before capping off the night with dessert. “When Nate pulled up to the lakefront near the art museum, I knew something was up,” Emily says. They’d walked along this stretch on their first date. Nate proposed, Emily said yes, and then it was off to County Clare for a sweet treat. “All of our friends and family were waiting to celebrate.”

Emily and Nate planned an elegant, but rustic wedding with a church ceremony followed by a reception at Rustic Manor 1848 in Hartland. In anticipation of the big day, Emily attended the Wonderful World of Weddings show at the State Fair grounds, as well as a wedding show at the Grain Exchange in downtown Milwaukee. She found her lace gown at Miss Ruby’s and the bridesmaids lavender dresses at Amelishan.

The wedding ceremony included a Catholic mass at St. Anthony on the Lake. The bride and groom met before mass, standing just around the corner from each other, but out of sight. “We met to share a prayer,” Emily says. “It was a moment that calmed my nerves and helped me truly enjoy the sacrament. The entire mass was planned specifically to portray our love of service, not only to each other but also to our community. Three priests from different parts of our lives presided over the ceremony. Songs and readings were selected very carefully. We sat in the first pew of church in order to feel more like part of the congregation. Nate’s favorite part of the ceremony was the exchanging of rings.”

At the reception, the rustic, elegant vibe took center stage. “The most enjoyable part was showing up at the reception venue and seeing how beautiful the hall looked,” Emily says. “It was incredible to see how my friends and family took my vision and made it happen. The room was filled with birch tree branches, burlap, and lace. Outside, there were yard games.” To capture it all in pictures, Nate and Emily worked with Timmie at Cream City Weddings.

Dinner was catered by Saz’s and featured down-home favorites like BBQ ribs, fried chicken, mac n’ cheese, mashed potatoes, and corn on the cob. Emily’s grandma even made her an apron to wear, so she wouldn’t get sauce on her wedding dress. “To this day, guests still compliment us, saying it’s the best wedding food they’ve ever eaten!” Drinks were kept simple: wine, Miller Lite, and Riverwest Stein (Emily’s favorite). Nate and Emily have nothing but great things to say about working with Saz’s. “Michelle from Saz’s was the biggest help throughout the planning process. Her expertise and suggestions were greatly appreciated. She took the time to get to know us as a couple — what we wanted our day to look and feel like — and helped make that happen.”

For dessert: a pie bar! Emily’s Uncle Ken owns a bakery and provided all of the sweets. Guests were treated to five different types of mini pies. For their pie cutting, instead of the traditional cake cutting, the happy couple sliced into a Door County cherry pie (Nate’s favorite). “Uncle Ken even surprised us with delicious chocolate chip cookies in addition to the pies. It was a big hit!” As a late-night snack, the couple served three different types of popcorn. “Not much was eaten — everyone was so full from dinner! We donated the rest to St. Ben’s meal program.”

To decorate the space, Emily’s mom took on several DIY projects. “I’m not very crafty,” Emily says. But her mom tied together birch tree branches, painted handle holders, and tied ribbons to mason jars to fashion the centerpieces. Nate designed the ceremony programs. The Maid of Honor’s mom hand painted a pallet to outline the schedule of events, and the Maid of Honor herself made book table numbers that said: Leave a message for Nate and Emily to read on their __ year wedding anniversary. “We can’t wait to read the messages!” Emily says.

Bridal Shows Attended~Wonderful World of Weddings and`Wedding Show at the Grain Exchange
Invitations~Designed by Groom’s Sister Jessica Salas
Rehearsal Dinner~People’s Park in Wauksha
Ceremony~St. Anthony on the Lake Parish Pewaukee, WI
Reception~Rustic Manor 1848 Hartland, WI
Caterer~Saz’s
Cake~Roman Blas and Ken Kempka from Over the Rainbow Cakes
Flowers~Lynn Laufenberg
Music/Entertainment~Smoov Music
Transportation~1921 Ford
Photographer~Cream City Weddings
Gown~Wtoo by Waters from Miss Ruby-A Bridal Boutique
Bridesmaids Gowns~Bill Levkoff from Amelishan Bridal
Formalwear~Men’s Wearhouse
Rings~Kesslers