Kelsey took a huge leap of faith, both in life—and eventually in love!—back in 2021, when she joined an au pair program, moving to New York from her home in Sydney, Australia. Eventually, she transferred to another family in Evanston, where she would cross paths with Miles.
After settling in, Kelsey wasted no time making friends and new connections. She and Miles matched on Tinder during her first weekend, and they hit it off immediately. With Kelsey in the US temporarily, they were cautious about the eventual long-distance, but could not deny their connection.
Plans changed when Kelsey received notice that her au pair program was ending, meaning she would have to return home to Sydney several months earlier than planned. Instead of completely parting ways, she and Miles decided to try long-distance until Kelsey could return for the summer on a work visa. The couple remembers that summer as one of the best times of their lives. They spent every day together, cooking, cleaning, going on adventures, and discussing their future.
Right after Kelsey returned to Australia for the second time, Miles got to work finding a jeweler to design a custom engagement ring. Ring in hand, he made plans to fly to Sydney in November 2022, where he would finally meet Kelsey’s family and surprise her with a romantic proposal. They walked up the Blue Mountains during sunrise, and Miles got down on one knee framed by breathtaking views.
Little did he know, Kelsey had similar intentions for his visit. Later, she got down on one knee herself, proposing back to him in her parents’ backyard with a custom ring she had also commissioned after their perfect summer together. Both proposals, of course, resulted in a resounding yes!
Planning a wedding between continents presented extra challenges. While they waited on paperwork, including Kelsey’s K1 fiancé Visa, the couple had to navigate important decisions across time zones and without a clear timeline. Kelsey describes hiring wedding planner Heirloom Event Company as “the best thing we ever did. She took the pressure off us by finding the vendors, was able to tour venues with Miles, and would go through the contracts and keep us within budget and on time for final payments. “
In the end, the government approved Kelsey’s paperwork sooner than expected, and their whirlwind romance became forever at The Farm at Dover, a rustic barn venue in Kansasville, Wisconsin.
Kelsey and Miles decided on a colorful “summer sunset” palette for their big day, including red, orange, yellow, pink, and burgundy. They brought that color to the fashions, with Miles wearing an orange suit and Kelsey in a twist on the traditional white bridal gown. Kelsey’s mom also created a custom tie for Miles, using pieces of Kelsey’s wedding dress and the embroidered flowers woven throughout.
As a skilled makeup artist and business owner, Kelsey did her own makeup for the day, as well as her mother’s. She described the diy decision as deeply personal and a special time spent getting ready alongside her mother. Kelsey’s final look was glowing and radiant, with subtle warmth in her eyeshadow, blush, and lip.
While the day’s weather offered both rain and shine, Kelsey and Miles tied the knot in an outdoor ceremony, framed by beautiful Wisconsin woods and elevated by live music. They incorporated a handfasting tradition into their ceremony, briefly tying their hands together to symbolize their union. They also included a ring warming, inviting guests to hold, bless, and pray over Kelsey & Miles’ rings before the exchange.
Heirloom Events Company ensured a quality livestream, as many of Kelsey’s relatives were unable to celebrate in person. Kelsey also honored loved ones by wearing family heirlooms, a pendant and a brooch, from both sides of her family.
Busy Bee Floral created beautiful bouquets, floral arrangements, and centerpieces for the day. Primary blooms included coral, peach, and red garden roses, ranunculus, yellow pom chrysanthemums, scabiosa, and carnations. The wedding party carried single-variety bouquets or wore single-variety floral boutonnieres, while Kelsey’s bouquet and rainbow ground arch combined the flowers and colors.
North Village Coffee served drinks to guests before and after the ceremony, as they transitioned inside the barn for cocktail hour and reception.
At the reception, each table centerpiece included mini bud vases, photos and bells from Kelsey and Miles’ travels, and fruit as décor. The couple sat at a sweetheart table, with their wedding party arranged on either side.
When choosing their florals and décor, the couple took a unique approach to preserving memories. They wrote,
“We used citrus fruits to tie into the summer sunset colours and also bring a scent into the reception space for the memories. Now, when we smell oranges and lemons, we think of our wedding.”
Forte Films & Stills captured every detail, from wedding preparations to special dances. Their editing style brought out the warm details, authentic joy, and stunning couple portraits under glowing lights.
During the planning process, Kelsey and Miles focused on intentionality and fun. They wanted every part of the day to feel meaningful, while also keeping the vibes high and the dance floor full. DJ Turntable Manners understood the assignment, including recognizable dances across both cultures.
After enjoying dinner and dessert from Catered Productions, Kelsey wrote, “We taught the Aussies the cha cha slide and the Aussies taught the Americans how to do the nutbush, which is a line dance at every wedding in Australia.”
Kelsey also took their first dance to the next level, surprising Miles by playing a recording of her own voice for their wedding song.
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