While living in Texas in 2021, Molly & Jay first met at a country music concert, brought together by mutual friends. They shared a first dance at a Texas dance hall later that night and never looked back!
A few years later, Jay used a pre-season basketball tournament as a reason to bring his parents to Molly’s hometown of Milwaukee. On their way up from the Chicago airport, Jay’s mom insisted they stop at Villa Terrace, where Molly’s family was secretly waiting. Jay got down on one knee for a beautiful proposal witnessed by their loved ones. Molly, of course, said yes!
Travel was a big consideration for Molly and Jay when planning their wedding. They had many friends in Texas, and Jay was also originally from South Carolina. Since many guests had never been to Wisconsin or Milwaukee, they wanted to show off the city over a long weekend. They provided plenty of recommendations, sights, and activities for those staying a few days—and their decision to host their wedding reception at the Milwaukee Art Museum was a destination, in and of itself!
The couple chose a “Garden Chic” theme, with soft, complementary pink and green as the focal point. The color palette also included white, black, blush, and just a hint of coral.
Perhaps the most unexpected pop of color came on Molly’s dress, which played an important role in the overall wedding styling. She visited multiple boutiques before Gigi’s Milwaukee and, while she liked many gowns, nothing felt quite like hers until she tried on a floral-patterned two-piece ensemble from designer Monique Lhuillier. Molly wrote,
“The dress is actually a top and skirt with long sleeves that their team altered seamlessly into my dream dress! From there, the dress was the center of inspiration for all of the florals and linens.”
Molly’s final, custom dress was a strapless gown with puffy, off-the-shoulder sleeves and a mermaid silhouette. The Bridal Beauty Team completed the styling with hair and makeup that brought out Molly’s natural beauty.
Molly and Jay started their day off gently, meeting for coffee and exchanging private vows before the excitement began. They described this decision as helping them stay grounded and focused on their love for one another, as well as everyone celebrating with them later on.
The couple wed in a traditional mass ceremony, officiated by Molly’s cousin, who also married her parents 30 years prior, and her sister and brother-in-law in 2023.
Autumn Silva Photography captured an ethereal wedding album for the couple, truly worthy of her signature fine art photography style. In addition to prints and online sharing, Molly now has a wedding photo in a locket passed down from Jay’s parents, which she wears almost every day!
Milwaukee Flower Co. provided lush floral arrangements of white, blush, and pink roses surrounded by greenery. At the reception, towering vases stunned at the tablescape alongside smaller vase centerpieces.
Cocktail hour took place on the Milwaukee Art Museum’s Baumgartner Terrace, followed by dinner and dancing in Windhover Hall, the Milwaukee Art Museum’s grand reception hall. With a 90-foot high atrium, curvilinear forms, natural light, and white marble, Windhover Hall offers a clean, open backdrop for any cherished event.
Bayview Printing Co. designed stationery and signage across every setting, with BBJ La Tavola, Nuage Design, and Stradley Davidson Linen Collective offering an array of rentals and décor. Linens alternated in color and pattern, with each still falling within the chosen color palette. Another highlight from the day was dinner. Molly and Jay sat at the tip of the Calatrava, facing out. They wrote, “We will never forget looking out and seeing all of our friends and family visiting – there was such a warmth in the room!”
Looking back on the planning process, Molly credits planner Events to a T as essential for bringing everything from her Pinterest boards to reality. They helped the couple find vendors and inspiration, and they talked through design, timelines, and the little details.
On communication, Molly reflected,
“My advice to future brides would be to ask all the questions! I felt comfortable and confident going into the day because anything that was on my mind I had asked about to our planners and vendors. This helped make me feel at ease and able to just enjoy the day!”
Think your wedding belongs in WedPlan Milwaukee? We accept submissions year-round for blog features, social media, and our annual print publication. Whether you’re a couple or vendor, we would love to see the details, creativity, and love stories that make Milwaukee weddings so special. Visit our submissions page to learn more!
