Tony & Jake met on a dating app in early June 2019. Having lived in Minneapolis for a couple years, Jake knew the perfect place for their first date—Lynlake Brewery. The night was chilly, so the couple spent hours on the rooftop, watching the sunset and sipping drinks around the fire pit. The night flew by, only ending when the brewery closed, and a second date was quickly set up for the following day.
Right from the start, both Tony & Jake knew this connection was different. On a road trip that August, after a day of hiking and wine tasting at Winehaven, Jake recalled,
“I remember holding Anthony’s hand, knowing that I was in love.”
Over the next four years, the couple moved in together, adopted two dogs, Rose and Poppy, and eventually upgraded to a condo. By the time marriage talks were becoming more serious, Jake had already begun talking to their friend, John Sorich, about designing the perfect custom ring.
The Proposal
On September 9, 2023, Jake took Tony back to Winehaven, now a treasured part of their love story. They happened upon a beautiful pond in a wooded area of the winery, the perfect setting for an intimate proposal. Tony’s answer was an enthusiastic “yes!”, and when they returned home later that day, he was further surprised to find their condo full of friends ready to celebrate.
The Ceremony
The wedding vision leaned vintage with wildflower elements and a subtle sense of drama, centered on a palette of ivory, tan, blush, and maroon. Tony and Jake chose The Loft on Broadway, a venue located in Milwaukee’s Historic First Ward, for their special day. The vintage, renovated industrial venue boasts large windows, high ceilings, wooden beams, and distinctive cream-city brick, making for a cozy space with cityscape views.
Tony wore a burgundy suit, with a crisp, white undershirt, and a blush-pattered tie that matched the color of his floral boutonniere. Jake wore white pants, a ruffle-and-lace-textured undershirt, and a tan pinstripe suit jacket. He accessorized with matching white boutonnieres on each lapel and a showstopping royal-length lace cape.
Jake reflected on his walk down the aisle,
“When the doors opened, I heard a lot of gasps and applause, which is the reaction I was hoping for! Everyone should feel that special and beautiful on their wedding day.”
When it comes to fashion, the couple also advises, “Save room in your budget for tailoring. Tony’s outfit was on sale at Men’s Warehouse, and I pieced my outfit together from several places. Investing in good tailoring makes you feel more confident and beautiful, as the clothes fit perfectly, and everyone will assume it is custom.”
I Do
Tony & Jake tied the knot framed by a large wooden arch handmade by Jake’s dad. The arch symbolized the love and support from friends and family, as well as the new life Tony and Jake are building together. After the wedding, the couple plans to keep the arch in their garden.
Reminisce Photography framed every scene, from details to couple portraits, and more. After the ceremony, the couple snuck away for romantic photos surrounded by the beauty of sunsets and the city.
During the wedding planning process, Tony & Jake prioritized making their wedding an incredible experience for everyone. They had guests traveling from near and far, and wanted to make sure everyone felt welcome, included, and entertained. They provided an open bar and cocktail-style reception, catered byZilli Hospitality Group, and carefully selected their DJ, BB’s Best DJ Service.
The reception included many heartfelt speeches, tasty bites, and unique details handpicked by the couple. Guests were gifted disposable camera favors to capture their unique perspective, and signed a custom vinyl record of the couple’s first dance song, “Stand by Me” covered by Florence and the Machine.
The vibes were high during their first dance, a choreographed routine performed under twinkling lights. Tony joyfully recalled,
“Every time I remember our wedding, I think back to looking into Jake’s eyes while I lifted him off the ground for the finale. If all eyes are going to be on us, we might as well give them a show!”
Every wedding story carries meaning beyond the day itself. For Jake and his partner, their celebration also reflected the significance of visibility, acceptance, and support.
Jake wrote, “As a same-sex couple, we wanted to create a safe and loving environment for ourselves and our LGBTQIA+ guests. Growing up in Wisconsin, I couldn’t truly begin picturing my dream wedding until 2015 when [marriage equality] laws were changed. Being able to marry each other surrounded by all our loved ones holds extra reverence for us, so during our welcome speech to our guests, I spoke about how important it is for them to extend that same love and support to queer people in their communities back home that could really use it right now.”
At WedPlan, we believe every love story deserves to be seen and celebrated, and we’re proud to showcase weddings that reflect the many ways love shows up in our communities.
Explore more real weddings on the WedPlan Milwaukee blog and socials, and if you’re a couple or vendor with a story to share, we’d love to see your submission! Click here to learn more about how to be featured on our website or yearly publication.
WedPlan Vendors
The below wedding vendors are part of the WedPlan preferred vendor directory. View their portfolios and websites to learn more, and tell them you found them on wedplan.com.
