Real Wedding: Alissa and Jeremy

When Alissa and Jeremy met on a spring break trip for the UW-Whitewater chapter of Habitat for Humanity in 2010, little did they know they’d someday build a home together as husband and wife. Both Wisconsin natives, Jeremy proposed to Alissa just before Thanksgiving 2013 on a Lake Geneva pier under a starry sky. The couple shared a lovely dinner at the Baker House, then drove to Whitewater to reminisce about the night Jeremy first asked Alissa on a date.

The wedding ceremony took place at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Genesee Depot. Since Alissa is Catholic and Jeremy is Lutheran, the couple celebrated a religious ceremony without a mass, exchanging rings from Lyle Husar Designs. “Immediately after the ceremony, we signed our marriage license with all of our guests as witnesses, cheering for us,” they say, “The moment we were officially husband and wife was the best!”

After the ceremony, the couple boarded a Spring City Trolley to Lapham Peak for photos. “I couldn’t have lived without going to Lapham Peak by trolley,” Alissa says. “The images were beautiful, and the experience was personal to us because we love nature and hiking together.” In the photos, you’ll see Alissa’s gorgeous gown with lace and a brooch (lots of vintage charm!), purchased at Savvy Bride in Brookfield. To add to the vintage vibe and special meaning, Alissa wore her mother’s wedding veil.

It wasn’t just the gown that embraced a vintage style. The wedding’s overall theme reflected a vintage European charm; Alissa and Jeremy actually honeymooned in Italy and moved to the Netherlands one week after their wedding day. “We wanted our wedding to have a European feel — that’s why we chose Tuscan Hall for our reception venue. Coordinator Amy Bartholf and owner Nick Sifnaios were so accommodating and nice to work with!”

Following the European travel theme, Alissa made table numbers on map paper and contact/thank-you cards for the guests with the couple’s new contact info in the Netherlands. She wrapped up Dutch windmill cookies as a wedding favor, and the wedding cake featured a classic Netherlands cake topper: a Dutch boy and girl kissing. A family friend of Alissa’s converted a vintage suitcase into a box to collect cards.

The food at Tuscan Hall also harkened to various cuisines of Europe. Cocktail hour featured Italian meatballs, bruschetta, and cheese and crackers. Dinner of roast beef, roasted Greek chicken, and eggplant parmesan was served family-style with complimentary wine. For sweets, there was cake (a choice of pumpkin or apple) from Rochester Deli and a coffee and hot chocolate bar. Alissa’s mom’s homemade chex mix served as bar snacks, and at 10:00 the staff brought out pizzas as a late-night indulgence.

What made Alissa and Jeremy’s day so unique was how it really embodied their story as a couple — past, present, and future. “Dinner being served family-style reflects our more laid-back nature. The beer selection (Miller and Spotted Cow) and polka songs played at the reception reflect our Wisconsin roots. Having wedding photos taken at Lapham Peak State Park reflects our love of the outdoors. The ceremony reflects our shared Christian beliefs. The European travel theme felt throughout the event reflects our new life together Europe.”

Looking back at this most wonderful day, the couple says that the decision to marry each other sticks with them the most. “It was the happiest day of our lives because in the end we were married to each other,” Alissa says. “That’s what it’s really all about: the marriage, not the wedding. I often reminded myself that if, at the end of the day, I was married to my best friend, the wedding was a success.”

Bachelor Party~Wisconsin Dells and the Great Wolf Lodge Resort
Bachelorette Party~Madison
Bridal Registry~Crate & Barrel and Kohl’s
Invitations~Handmade with a kit purchased from Hobby Lobby by the Bride with printing done at Office Depot
Rehearsal Dinner~Delafield Brewhaus
Ceremony Location~St. Paul Catholic Church, Genesee Depot
Reception Location~Tuscan Hall Banquet Center, Waukesha
Cake~Rochester Deli, Waukesha
Flowers~Ceremony bouquets and boutonnieres were made by Jess Fleur Fun, Brookfield – Reception centerpieces were designed and made by a friend of Alissa’s mother, Diane Serath. She was able to order flowers from Jess Fleur Fun to use in the making of the table centerpieces.
Music/Entertainment~John Koshick
Transportation~Spring City Trolley, Waukesha
Photographer~Emily Bartos of Scintilla LLC, formerly Emily Bee Arts.
Videographer~Jason Dembosky
Dress Designer~Allure from A Savvy Bride, Brookfield
Formal Wear~Men’s Wearhouse
Rings~Lyle Husar Designs, Brookfield
Honeymoon~Italy