Lakeside Wisconsin Fall Wedding

Real Weddings

May 16

Kelly and CJ met back in college at a haunted hayride. They ended up talking all night but it wasn’t until a few months later that there paths would cross again. On that night they were at a frat party together and they spent the remainder of their time dancing and talking. This in turn caused for them to be inseparable ever since. Over the years, Kelly and CJ’s relationship grew stronger and stronger until one day it would all change. CJ and Kelly were on a double date attending an interactive light exhibit hike in their local state park. Which by the way, sounds like the coolest thing ever and I want to go but I digress. While on the trail, CJ asked to take a picture and he got down on one knee and proposed. That was the beginning of Kelly & CJ’s next chapter together. A chapter which I made an epic guest appearance in, hello! Keep scrolling to read all about Kelly & CJ’s Lakeside Wisconsin Fall Wedding.

Lakeside Wisconsin Fall Wedding

The day started off like many wedding days, as I arrived while everyone was finishing up getting ready for the special day. Kelly and CJ had their wedding ceremony at the clubhouse at Dutch Hollow Lake in Wisconsin. Kelly and CJ both chose this clubhouse for their small ceremony because they wanted a beautiful backdrop of the lake. Dutch Hollow Lake holds a lot of memories and sentimental value to not only Kelly & CJ but to their families as well! I always encourage my couples when deciding their wedding venue to choose locations that can help tell your love story. While yes we are all big fans of the large and in charge wedding venues, you can also choose a wedding venue that holds more value than just being pretty. Not that there is anything wrong with that but there are other options as well! If you want to know more tips on how to pick your perfect wedding venue, check out this blog post I wrote all about my secret tips & tricks!

Getting Ready & First Look

The fall foliage was at its peak on their wedding day so we had to soak up all of the beautiful warm tones surrounding us. I began taking detail photos while the rest of the wedding party finished getting ready. If you’re in the midst of planning your wedding and want to know what to include in detail shots for your wedding photographer, check out this blog where I talk all about it! After everyone had put the final touches on their wedding day look, it was time to sneak Kelly and CJ away for their first look.

Kelly and CJ decided on a first look, but first wanted to read love notes that they wrote to each other. To say it was an emotional rollercoaster would be an understatement. Kelly was crying, CJ was crying, I was crying and pretty much we could have filled up that entire lake if we wanted to with tears. All I’m trying to say is that the waterworks came to play and we did not hold back and that was even before CJ saw Kelly! As soon as he turned around it was ALL OVER. They hugged and it was a beautiful moment that will remember forever.

What is a First Look?

A first look is the perfect moment for you and your partner to have some alone time and a bit more intimacy on your special day. However if you’re one for not wanting to do a first look, there is also a first touch. Very similar to a first look but you just don’t see each other. You get to keep the anticipation and excitement of seeing your partner at the opposite ends of the aisle, but you still get some alone time and privacy during your first touch. A first touch can be behind a wall, a tree or simply just holding hands with your backs turned to each other. The possibilities are endless and ones I highly encourage you exploring!

Ceremony & Reception

After their first look, we wandered throughout the Dutch Hollow Lake property and started taking some wedding portraits of the couple. The sun came peaking in oh so perfectly and grazed across their skin and I couldn’t stop photographing them, it was nearly impossible! After spending a bit of time on their portraits before we knew it, it was time for the ceremony. We all gathered as Kelly & CJ said “I do” and it was magical and beautiful. A moment that they have been waiting forever for and it finally came… crying over here.

Once the ceremony was done, we made our way over to the Reedsburg Country Club for their reception. When choosing their venue, Kelly and CJ really wanted to stick with a modern bohemian theme. Their decor centered on dark green, gold and black and really wanted to pull inspiration from forest. They wanted decor and feeling to be very dark, moody and romantic and tbh I think it was just that. We spent the remainder of their special day eating some delicious food & cake, dancing on the dance floor and soaking up all of the love in the air.

It truly was such an honor to be there to document Kelly & CJ’s special day. I feel so grateful to be able to capture so many different love stories and share such a special moment with my couples. Cheers to K+C!

If you’re loving this Lakeside Wisconsin Fall Wedding, then you’re going to love these Top Airbnb’s to Elope in Wisconsin!

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