This beautiful wedding was a celebration of love, set in the heart of Wisconsin, with a blend of elegance and intimacy. The couple chose two stunning locations for their day, starting with the breathtaking Villa Terrace Art Museum for the ceremony, followed by a sophisticated reception at the Delafield Hotel. From the historic charm of the villa with its views of Lake Michigan to the modern, elevated reception vibe, every detail was thoughtfully planned. Surrounded by close family and friends, the couple’s day was filled with joy, laughter, and timeless moments.
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US
Style: Intimate, classic, timeless, elegant
Time of planning: 2 months
Number of guests: 13
Setting: Decorative Arts Museum & Hotel
Season: Spring
Quinten and Olivia first met as freshmen in high school, graduating together from a class of fewer than 50 students, though it took three years after graduation for Quinten to make his move. One day, Olivia posted a photo on Instagram in a black Carhartt beanie, which caught Quinten’s eye. Known for wearing Carhartt for work, he enjoyed teasing her about wearing it casually and couldn’t resist messaging, “I have the same hat.” That simple line was all it took. Within 15 days, Quinten had asked Olivia to be his girlfriend, and they spent nearly four happy years together before he decided to propose. Quinten’s proposal was a heartfelt moment under a park gazebo, set with candles, red roses, and photos, complete with a custom pair of Nike Air Force 1 sneakers painted with “Marry” on one shoe and “Me?” on the other as a nod to their love of sneakers. The words “I have the same hat” are engraved on Olivia’s engagement ring as a tribute to the line that started it all.
Vision & Photography
The couple knew from the start that they wanted a short engagement, making the idea of an intimate elopement an easy choice. Their focus shifted to buying their first home, so wedding planning took a back seat. Then, in January, Quinten’s sister and brother-in-law mentioned they’d be visiting family in the Midwest in late March. “We decided to set that as our wedding date and run with it,” they shared, embracing the spontaneity. With just two months to pull everything together, they dreamed of a relaxed, intimate ceremony surrounded by their family, followed by a cozy dinner. And so, they tied the knot on a random Tuesday in March.
The couple was overjoyed to hear that Sami, the talent behind Everly Collective, was available for their wedding date. With an eye for capturing both the candid and deeply emotional moments, she transformed their outdoor wedding into a series of magazine-worthy images. Every shot was infused with style and elegance, turning their special day into a gallery of memories that felt as if they’d been lifted straight from the pages of a fashion editorial.
Couple's Morning & Fashion
Right after their engagement in September 2022, the search for a wedding dress for Olivia began, but nothing felt quite right. Eventually, she found a dress with a fabric she adored, though it was six sizes too large and lacked a train. Determined, she bought two of the same dress, hoping someone could customize it. After reaching out to five tailors without success, a friend suggested Quinten’s aunt, a talented seamstress who happened to be in town. She agreed to take on the project, but there was one catch—she lived out of state and was only visiting for a few days. Those next days were filled with fittings, markups, and borrowed sewing machines. With calls back and forth and progress checks, the dress slowly took shape. When the completed gown arrived in February, a local tailor handled the final hem, and it all came together beautifully. “I am so thankful Quinten’s aunt was so willing to take on such a large project. She is so blessed with her craftsmanship and skill in sewing.”
The dress had a relaxed, draped bodice with a slight mermaid flare, and the second dress transformed into a detachable rectangular train. The look was complete after she wore an 8-foot ivory cathedral veil from Etsy, pearl earrings from Laura Loyd Jewelers, and jewel-adorned shoes from Something Bleu. She did her hair and makeup, favoring a simple and natural style, and her nails were a perfect chrome finish with a subtle silver outline by Nails by Felly. The bouquet, a long-stemmed arrangement of Playa Blanca roses from Fifty Flowers, had a touch of whimsy, with a small blue pipe cleaner hidden in the stems by her mother as an ode to her cat’s favorite toy. With these personal touches, the day felt perfectly them.
Quinten opted for a sleek, all-black tuxedo, exuding classic sophistication. His boutonniere—a single Playa Blanca rose—matched the bride’s bouquet, adding a touch of harmony to his look. He switched to white Jordan sneakers for the reception, blending comfort with style. With simplicity and timeless elegance at the forefront, he achieved the perfect balance of classic and laid-back charm.
Ceremony
The ceremony took place at the Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a historic home-turned-museum built in 1923 with a terrace overlooking the breathtaking view of Lake Michigan. The sunlit day highlighted the simple yet elegant setting, with rows of white chairs lined with delicate petals leading up to the altar, adorned with soft white florals. As the ceremony began, Olivia walked down the aisle to an instrumental of “Outro” by M83, and when they walked out as a married couple, “Bless Me” by Maverick City Music—a favorite of theirs—set the perfect joyful tone.
The couple exchanged vows under the clear blue sky, surrounded by their family. The officiant led a heartfelt service while the serene lake view added a peaceful, almost ethereal quality to the moment. The simplicity of the décor—white roses with greenery—perfectly complemented the elegant surroundings. The joy on their faces was undeniable as they were officially pronounced husband and wife.
Moments Alone
Throughout the day, the couple shared intimate moments, having their portraits taken inside the villa and outdoors with the stunning lakefront as their backdrop. Sami from Everly Collective captured some of Olivia’s favorite shots inside the villa, skillfully playing with light and shadows to create dramatic, timeless portraits. One of the standout locations was the library, where the vibrant, colorful books provided a striking contrast to the couple’s elegant attire, resulting in photos that felt both warm and artistic.
She was exactly the style we were looking for and knew we could trust her with our day. She presented such kindness and patience, and made us feel so special. We are forever grateful for her talent, art, and the memories she captured that will last a lifetime.
Reception Decor & Dinner
The couple chose to host their reception at the Delafield Hotel, drawn to its elevated, sophisticated atmosphere. With its luxurious yet youthful vibe, accented by bold black and gold decor, it perfectly suited the couple’s vision. The dinner was set in an intimate private room, where a long table was adorned with an impressive display of nearly a hundred vases in varying sizes. Some held single white roses, while others featured candles, creating a soft, romantic ambiance. Keeping with their preference for simplicity, the floral arrangements were designed by the couple themselves with the help of Olivia’s aunt, an independent florist who provided the guidance and materials to make it happen—even though she was out of town on the wedding day. In the end, Olivia’s non-florist mother crafted beautiful floral arrangements that were simple, classic, and had a whimsical charm.
The evening began with a cake-cutting and champagne toast with their guests, followed by an array of carefully curated small plates. The couple’s cake, created by Eye Candy Bakery, was a towering double-barrel confection, standing a foot tall. Half was a decadent chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, while the other half was a vanilla bean cake with vanilla bean frosting, and the entire cake was gluten-free. Guests were treated to various entrees of their choosing, and the night was capped off with an assortment of desserts, making for a sweet ending to a memorable day.
We kept our wedding a secret from pretty much all of our extended family and all of our friends! We had so much fun FaceTiming our friends the next day to surprise them and tell them we got married because they were shocked. I don’t think anyone suspected it!
Advice from the couple:
• Invest in your photographer! The wedding may last a day, but the pictures will last forever.
PHOTOGRAPHER Everly Collective | VENUES Villa Terrace Art Museum, The Delafield Hotel | BRIDAL NAILS Nails by Felly | BRIDE’S RECEPTION DRESS La Femme Fashion | BRIDAL SHOES Something Bleu, Jessica Rich, Nike | VEIL Simply Wedding Design on Etsy | FOOD I.d. Delafield | CAKE Eye Candy Bake Shop | GIFTS FOR GUESTS Venus et Fleur | RINGS Laura Loyd Jewelers | BOUQUET Fifty Flowers | CANDLES, VASES, AND FLORAL EQUIPMENT Avery Willow Designs | INVITES Flin Design Co
