How could you not love a wedding that was modeled after Father of the Bride? With the help of planner Gracefield Events, couple Ellie and Alex celebrated their marriage on Ellie’s parents’ beautiful Wisconsin property, and every photo from Susan Stripling Photography is simply picture perfect!
The Couple: Ellie and Alex
The Wedding: 7.6.12 – Richland Center, WI
What three adjectives best describe your wedding? Southern, grand, elegant
What was your wedding color palette? Blush pink, ivory, smokey blue and sea green
What inspired your personal wedding style, and how did you incorporate your style and personalities into your big day? From the time I was a little girl, I knew I wanted a Father of the Bride wedding. I was very fortunate in that my parents have a beautiful country home with a huge front lawn to put up a big white tent. Dining tables were set with a variety of flowers in pink, blue, ivory, and pops of yellow in antique silver vases and compotes. The white tablecloths were overlaid with a soft floral print of pinks, smokey blue and sea green. The tables glowed with white taper candles in antique silver candle sticks along with mercury glass votive holders. For the bar, my dad built a beautiful white pergola in which we draped white linen sheers adorned with large floral arrangements attached to the sides. With stone steps leading up from the tent, the pergola was the focal point of the reception. Next to the bar was a terrace, surrounded by a newly landscaped floral garden, for cocktail tables clothed in the same linens as the dining tables with smaller floral arrangements in silver julep cups. One of my favorite moments during the reception was going up to the homes white balcony to toss my bouquet.
Looking back, what are the moments, decisions or memories that you love the most about your wedding? Family is very important to Alex and I, and thus, we had many of them play different roles in the wedding; from groomsmen and bridesmaids, to altar servers and readers, to ceremony and cocktail musicians. In addition, having my grandmother there to watch me walk down the aisle was one of the highlights. She just passed away last week, but it meant the world to me that she had been there to share in the joyful celebration.
What piece of advice would you give to a bride planning her wedding today? The guest list is the hardest but most important task to manage. If youre on a budget (arent we all?), keeping the guest list to a minimum is the best way to keep costs down. Also, try not to let the little things stress you out, like last minute RSVP changes, wedding day weather, finding the perfect dress, family drama, etc. This is going to be the best day of your life – you get to marry your best friend, and thats all that really matters.
The Wedding Team:
Photographer: Susan Stripling Photography
Event Planner: Gracefield Events
Ceremony Venue: St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church
Videographer/Film Maker: Ben Koelsch of Nova Video
Officiant: Father Eric Berns
Invitation Designer: Gracefield Events
Catering: Vintage Port Catering
Florist: Wild Apples Floral
Cake: Veva Brockway
Wedding dress: Paloma Blanca
Bridal Accessories: Shoes – Badgley Mischka, Earrings- Kate Ketzal
Bridesmaids Apparel & Accessories: Dresses – Bill Levkoff, Pearl Necklaces- Etsy
Groom & Groomsmen Apparel: Tuxedos- Calvin Klein
Hair: Jenny Ewers of Inspired Innovations
Rings: Jared
Ellie and Alex, thank you for letting us learn more about your elegant Southern wedding!
Gorgeous photos! Kudos to the photographer.
I love the shot of the bride running in the grass. This is a beauuuuutiful one!
These wedding photos are gorgeous.