Jocelyn and Neal's love story began in kindergarten but truly blossomed years later during an unexpected Thanksgiving reunion in 2011. After a long engagement and the joyful arrival of their daughter, the couple celebrated their wedding on June 8, 2024, with their little one playing a special role in the day. Held at the stunning Villa Terrace, their celebration was filled with love, family, and unforgettable memories in a picturesque Italian-inspired setting.
While Jocelyn and Neal first met in the same small-town kindergarten class, their love story did not officially begin until an unexpected connection while out with friends for Thanksgiving in 2011. Both had recently graduated from college, and the couple realized they shared many of the same goals, including the desire to move to Milwaukee. After initially making the move separately, Jocelyn and Neal eventually moved in together in 2015.
During the holidays in 2019, Neal proposed with his late mother's ring, and the couple celebrated their 8th year together on New Year's 2020 at the Saint Kate Hotel. Unfortunately, as for many couples, COVID delayed the wedding planning process. Later that year, Jocelyn and Neal joyfully discovered they were expecting a daughter and waited a year to resume planning their wedding while they settled into life as a family of three. After over a decade together and a long engagement, the couple was thrilled to celebrate their special day in front of all of their friends and family on June 8, 2024.
When choosing their venue, Jocelyn and Neal both agreed that the Villa Terrace was the perfect spot for their ceremony. The historic Italian-Renaissance-style venue boasts an Italian villa, stunning gardens, views of Lake Michigan, and columned arches typically seen in Europe, making it one of the most unique and sought-after venues in the Milwaukee area.
It was extremely important for Jocelyn and Neal to include their daughter in every part of the day, from the ceremony and reception to the dance. She was the flower girl, the sole member of the wedding party, and received a special bracelet at the ceremony during the ring exchange. While their daughter, now a toddler, was a bit too tired for a father-daughter dance, she had plenty of time to snuggle and soak up the celebration.
Feisty Flowers designed stunning floral arrangements for the couple's big day. For the bride, they created an oversized, garden-style bouquet featuring white, coral pink, and burgundy blooms. They also designed lush vases to create a stunning backdrop for the ceremony and crafted smaller table arrangements and bud vases to decorate the reception.
The reception was held at Renaissance Milwaukee West Hotel, making the transition easy and convenient for guests, the majority of whom traveled from out of town with small children. Many different spaces in the hotel were utilized, with the welcome dinner, cocktail hour, reception, and dance all transitioning to separate locations within the hotel.
Jocelyn opted for a short floral lace dress for her reception, a perfect blend of elegance and comfort. The delicate lace details and modern cut allowed her to move freely and enjoy the evening with family and friends. The dress added a fresh, playful touch to the celebration while staying true to the timeless style of the day.
