Danielle & Nick’s Romantic, Rustic Wedding at Black Swan MKE

April 20, 2018

Danielle from Long Island and Nick from Milwaukee met at a wedding in Seattle. “My college teammate married Nick’s good childhood friend,” Danielle says. “They had a hunch we would hit it off, so they sat us at the same table.” The hunch was dead on! Nick and Danielle got engaged during a trip to Northern Minnesota. A lover of the Great Lakes, Nick popped the question on the banks of Lake Superior.

The couple planned a romantic and rustic wedding at Black Swan MKE in the Third Ward. Danielle found her dress at Miss Ruby Bridal Boutique. The groomsmen donned light navy suits with blush pink ties, and the bridesmaids were dressed in shades of blush, champagne, and dusty rose.

Danielle’s brother, Bobby, performed the ceremony under a beautiful birch chuppah. “Four years earlier, I’d performed Bobby’s ceremony in New York,” Danielle explains. “We wrote and recited our own vows and had my sister-in-law and Nick’s long-time childhood friend speak as part of the ceremony. It was personal and sweet.” Following the “I do’s,” the bride and groom exited to Béyonce’s “Love on Top” to get the party started.

To decorate the Black Swan space, Danielle and Nick incorporated elements with a natural feel. “The linens were a mix of tan, café, and hunter green. “Peter from Black Swan made planning the space effortless. He was down to earth and made sure we felt like our night was truly special.”

The floral centerpieces were a mix of succulents, moss, and hydrangeas in wooden boxes with rustic lanterns.” The Flowers came from Alfa Flower Shop: “A fantastic vendor that we highly recommend. They work within your budget and create beautiful arrangements.”

A delicious buffet-style dinner was catered by Bubb’s BBQ and All Occasions Catering. “They were fantastic to work with, especially our coordinator, Wendi. She blew us away. She was so organized, kept the night moving smoothly, and really took care of us.” At the buffet, folks enjoyed chicken, mahi-mahi, beef tips, roasted root vegetables, and fingerling potatoes. “Something for everyone!”

To pay tribute to Wisconsin, Nick and Danielle treated their guests to cheese curds at every table. For dessert: Door County cherry pie with vanilla custard. “We wanted to give our guests the full Wisconsin foodie experience!” The late-night snack was one of Danielle’s favorites — a nacho bar. And one of Nick’s favorites, the Vodka Press, was the signature drink.

Following dinner came the dancing. Danielle performed one of her favorite songs with her bridesmaids, as a surprise to Nick. The song was “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” by Whitney Houston. “It went right along with our wedding hashtag: #iwannaDANZwithsomebody.” To end the night, everyone gathered around the dance floor and sang along to Joe Cocker’s rendition of “With a Little Help From My Friends.” What better way to end a picture-perfect wedding celebration than surround by loved ones, singing your hearts out?

[table]
Invitations~Design from ETSY through VineWedding | Printing by Mandel Graphic Solutions Company
Rehearsal Dinner~Pizza Man MKE on Downer Ave.
Ceremony & Reception~Black Swan MKE in Milwaukee’s Third Ward
Caterer & Day of Coordinator~Bubb’s BBQ & All Occasion’s Catering
Cake Designer/Dessert~Door County Cherry Pie from HoneyPie and Vanilla Custard from Kopp’s
Flowers~Alfa Flower Shop
Music/Entertainment~Sound by Design
Photographer~The Pros Wedding Photographers
Gown~Wtoo from Miss Ruby Bridal Boutique
Alterations~  The Sophisticated Rose
Formalwear~Men’s Wearhouse
Rings~Gold Creations Ltd., Brookfield
Hair~Brio Salon
[/table]