Color Outside the Lines: Bold Wedding Inspiration at Jan Serr Studio in Milwaukee

What began with a spark of graffiti-inspired creativity evolved into a bold celebration of color, pattern, light, and personality at Jan Serr Studio in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Playful polka dots, colorful florals, statement fashions, shimmering sequins, and glowing LED details came together with subtle retro influences and an urban edge. Designed by Flowers for Dreams, this editorial is for couples who aren’t afraid to color outside the lines or who want to have a little fun with tradition.

Along with coordination and design from Flowers for Dreams, this bold, retro-chic wedding editorial included Reminisce Photography, Saz’s Catering, Wilk Media, Paper Envy, LLC, Miss Ruby Bridal, DuBois Formalwear, Teak & Ivory, Beauty Unveiled Agency, Windy City Linens, Tablescapes Event Rentals, Bartique Bars, Cowboy David’s Bakery, Record-A-Hit Entertainment, and models Maggie and David from The Rock Agency.

Watch the video from Wilk Media, then keep scrolling to see every scene through Reminisce Photography’s lens!

Industrial meets modern at Jan Serr Studio, located on the top floor of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Kenilworth Square East building. The open-floor-plan venue has vaulted ceilings and 30-foot floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views of Milwaukee’s downtown skyline. Glowing strings of lights across the exposed ceiling beams make the space feel warm without losing its original character.

This styled shoot primarily used the top-floor event space, but later moved outside to Jan Serr Studio’s alley for couple portraits with smoke bombs.

An alternative, ’80s-inspired vintage fusion made a statement for hair, makeup, and fashion. Beauty Unveiled Agency stepped away from the traditional updo for model Maggie’s hair, focusing instead on texture and volume. They curled Maggie’s hair into loose, layered waves, keeping her baby bangs perfectly tousled. They then pulled Maggie’s hair back into a half-up style, adding more volume at the back of her head, reminiscent of the rocker aesthetic.

Beauty Unveiled Agency also channeled their inner rockstar for makeup, without overpowering the model’s natural beauty. Highlighter and blush added dimension to Maggie’s cheeks and nose, while sculpted brows, dark lashes, and a pink lip brought a touch of drama.

Professional bridal styling service, Teak & Ivory, handled fashions, accessories, and outfit changes across scenes. The bride model wore a lacy strapless dress with a sweetheart neckline, statuesque silhouette, and flowing train from Miss Ruby Bridal. Beading across the bodice added an elegant edge, while the delicate lace overlay added vintage charm.

For her first look, the model also wore long, off-the-shoulder sleeves and a matching lace choker.

The groom model, David, switched up his look several times during the Color Outside the Lines editorial shoot, with all pieces supplied by DuBois Formalwear. His first look was black dress pants, a black dress shirt, black dress shoes, and a white-and-black tuxedo jacket. The jacket was white except for a black collar and pocket detailing.

Multiple fashion looks are an easy way to experiment with a bolder wedding aesthetic without committing to one style from start to finish. Consider changing a jacket, sleeves, cape, accessories, or other removable pieces between the ceremony and reception to give each part of the day its own personality.

At Jan Serr Studio, the downtown Milwaukee skyline is a wedding ceremony backdrop in and of itself. Not wanting to compete with or cover the skyline, Flowers for Dreams kept their florals and décor simple yet impactful.

They designed lush floral arrangements with a base of white florals and baby’s breath, punctuated with colorful, wildflower-inspired accents in coral, yellow, pink, purple, and blue. Two large arrangements sat on identical pillars draped in white on either side of the couple. Tall vases sat beside each pillar, further grounding the scene.

This pop-of-color approach to florals also extended to the bridal bouquet and the reception table centerpieces. The groom’s boutonniere stayed monochromatic, with baby’s breath pinned to his black-and-white tuxedo jacket.

After the ceremony, the team stepped back into the reception space where two guest tables and a sweetheart table awaited. Windy City Linen provided tablecloths for each table, alternating between a satin texture and bold sequins. They also brought polka-dot napkins for each place setting, which were either layered between the charger and dinner plate or draped from the edge of the table.

Tablescapes Event Rentals provided clear acrylic chairs, colorful square chargers, black dinnerware, crystal glassware, and silverware. As a statement piece, each contemporary place setting included a bold charger in a different color—pink, green, red, blue, or orange. Bud vases from Flowers for Dreams served as centerpieces alongside glowing candles of varying heights and colors.

As the exclusive caterer for Jan Serr Studio, Saz’s Catering took the opportunity to showcase their delicious hors d’oeuvres, appetizers, entrées, and sides.

Paper Envy, LLC, designed black-and-white polka-dot printed reception pieces including a menu, dessert menu, table number, and custom matchbooks. They kept the color palette black-and-white, layering or framing the pieces in black, and alternated between a clean sans-serif, an elegant serif, and a high-contrast script typeface.

Bartique Bars offers a variety of bar rental pieces to fit any wedding venue, color scheme, or style. They brought The Easton, a rental available in multiple configurations, known for its hand-rubbed ebony finish and rounded details.

The models each debuted a second look during the reception and bar scenes. Maggie swapped her lace sleeves for short, voluminous, off-the-shoulder sleeves and added a cathedral-length cape in similarly sleek fabric. David wore a shimmering silver tuxedo jacket with a black lapel.

Cowboy David’s Bakery designed a three-tier graffiti-inspired cake with a silver base layer, pearl and silver stud detailing, and colorful words of affirmation on the middle and top layers in black, blue, orange, and pink. A floral topper and asymmetric floral detailing on the middle and bottom layers completed the piece.

In addition to the cake, Cowboy David’s Bakery brought their signature cake-cups™ featuring layers of chocolate cake and white frosting topped with cobalt or orange accents. Cake-cups™ are an easy-to-serve alternative to traditional cake-cutting, where guests receive individual cups instead of a plated dessert.

For a completely different kind of reception statement, Record-A-Hit Entertainment brought an array of colorful LED rental pieces that transformed the lounge and dance floor with light. The bride and groom lounged on couches, chairs, and a round ring swing before hitting the colorful checkerboard dance floor.

David alternated between his original white tuxedo jacket and a vivid, color-bending blue-and-orange suit jacket.

David alternated between his original white tuxedo jacket and a vivid, color-bending blue-and-orange suit jacket.

For the final scene, the models explored Jan Serr Studio’s back alley for some dramatic, urban couple portraits with smoke bombs and a smoke machine from Flowers for Dreams.

Reminisce Photography played with light, composition, and staging throughout this wedding design. The final gallery celebrated modern, retro, and the unique character of every couple’s wedding day.

Loving this bold wedding inspiration? Learn more about the vendors involved in this styled shoot by clicking the links or profiles below! And for even more Milwaukee, Wisconsin ideas, keep exploring the WedPlan Milwaukee blog and follow us on socials!

Facebook: WedPlan Milwaukee | Instagram: @wedplanmilwaukee | Tiktok: @wedplanwi