Heidi & Alex first met in 8th grade, after Heidi’s family moved to Alex’s hometown of Ripon, Wisconsin. Their paths sometimes crossed, with overlapping groups of friends, but they had not spoken much before their senior year of high school. That year, Alex’s best friend played wingman, spreading a rumor that Alex was interested in Heidi, which gave him the push to ask her on a first date to Culvers—we love a Midwestern moment!
The couple dated for nearly a decade before the proposal, exploring coffee shops, watching their favorite shows, and building a foundation together along the way. They also adopted two beloved cats, Penelope Beans & Dune.
Heidi’s sister Kelly, best friend Sam, and sister-in-law Dani assisted with the proposal, convincing Heidi to dress up for a nice dinner in Milwaukee. Afterwards, they decided to go for ice cream. The girls drove Heidi to Lake Park, where Alex was waiting on the bridge, holding letters spelling “marry me.”
The couple hired planner and coordinator, Renee Breanee Design, to help bring their “Nantucket Summer” wedding vision to life. A soft palette of light blue, tan, white, and gold set the tone for a beautiful indoor and outdoor celebration at The Carriage House.
Heidi reflected on the planning process, stating,
“I often hear couples say they did certain things because of tradition or to please a family member. For us, it was so important that our day felt like us—filled with love, joy, and happiness.”
For Heidi, being authentic meant not wearing a white wedding dress. Her beautiful, strapless A-line gown from the House of Savin in London featured gorgeous hand-painted florals across the structured bodice and cascading down the full skirt. The colorful dress was a unique work of art, coordinating with Heidi’s bridesmaids dressed in pale blue satin.
Makeup by Lauryn Marie was natural and glowing, while still accentuating her lashes. Styled with Grace fashioned a low updo, styling Heidi’s long blonde hair into loose curls, pulled back into a full ponytail. Textured pieces added volume, and face-framing pieces further softened the look.
Alex and his groomsmen wore light tan suits from The Suit Shop, with white undershirts, tan ties, brown dress shoes, and floral boutonieres.
Feisty Flowers played an integral role in Heidi & Alex’s wedding day, bringing lush florals to every space, from bouquets and the ceremony backdrop to indoor reception vases and hanging floral installations.
Finding a venue with a golf course was important to the couple, as they both grew up in families that golfed. Heidi and Alex tied the knot in a beautiful outdoor ceremony framed by sunshine, manicured views, and stunning, voluminous hydrangeas in white and dusty blue.
While a wedding day typically centers on the love of the married couple, Heidi and Alex also wanted to honor the friends and family who supported them in beautiful ways. Instead of a flower girl or ring bearer, the couple honored their friend Ali, who held the rings during the ceremony.
Their officiant read, “Ali shines with light and embodies warmth. They hope by her looking over these rings, her kindness stays with them, and every time they look at their rings, they’re reminded to lead their marriage with love, patience, and respect.”
Personal sentiments also continued at the reception, where Heidi flipped tradition by giving a speech about her maid of honor.
The Carriage House can accommodate up to 240 guests in its recently renovated spaces, which also offer in-house catering and bar service. Patterned blue linens from BBJ Travla, candles, and flower vases adorned the round dinner tables, surrounded by bentwood chairs.
Heidi & Alex used ceiling installations to make the spacious, vaulted backdrop feel more intimate. The installations were a group effort, with David Charles Productions purchasing and installing hoops and chandeliers, and Feisty Flowers adding beautiful flowers and lush greenery.
Other highlights for the ceremony included heartfelt speeches, a remembrance table, a t-shirt toss, a photo booth, and a “Letters for the Bride” guestbook filled with hand-written letters from family, bridesmaids, and close friends.
Looking back on their beautiful wedding, Heidi & Alex will always be grateful for their first look and pre-ceremony photos, which allowed them to enjoy cocktail hour on the patio with their guests. Though they initially did not plan to have a first look, they will always cherish the time they spent together early in the day, which helped them feel grounded, prepared, and calm.
Fine art photographer, Autumn Silva Photography, captured the details of the day in her signature romantic style. She focused on every moment, both big and small, to create a gallery full of posed and candid images of the couple and their guests.
Are you a recently married couple or a wedding professional with an unforgettable celebration to share? We’d love to feature your special day on our blog, socials, or in our yearly publication! Click here for more information about how to submit your wedding for consideration.
