Through Thick and Thin

by Laura Vietmeyer

 

For Kelly, it was love at first sight. For Matt, he simply knew she was the one. Despite Kelly facing the loss of her father very early in their relationship, their love grew as Matt provided strong emotional support. The couple persisted. They bought a house together, added their beloved pup, Lucy, and were wed after a 15-month engagement, joined by 150 of their closest family and friends.

 

Especially Us

We met online and learned we only lived two blocks away from each other. The night we first met in person at Bel Air Cantina in Wauwatosa, there was horrible rain that turned into ice, but that didn’t stop us. Matt’s smile as I walked into Bel Air instantly warmed my heart. I got that feeling of love at first sight. We then spent the next week seeing each other before I left for a few weeks to be with my dad as he battled the last stages of cancer. I didn’t expect Matt to endure such heaviness after just getting to know me but he was my lifeline by keeping my spirits as high as they could be with text messages and phone calls to check in. I was falling in love and going through the saddest time of my life, all at once. I knew he was my forever keeper!

The Proposal

Not to be cliche, but you kind of just know when she's “the one.” It feels natural. Kelly and I love Christmas, so I wanted to incorporate the holiday into the proposal. I wanted to put up our Christmas tree early as we were going out of town for Thanksgiving. While I was at work he set the tree up and got the ornaments out. When I got home he said we should decorate the tree. He stashed the ring box in with the ornaments, so as we were decorating I saw the ring box and turned around to find him down on one knee.  

Must-Have Detail

LOTS of floral.  

Worth Every Penny

The photography, hands down.   

 
My “Somethings” 

It was a gift from my sister that had a variety of family heirlooms and a blue bead my sweet niece picked out specifically for me.

Bridal Ensemble

I loved my dress! It was a soft champagne color with an illusion neckline and a waterfall detail of beading and pearls. I wore vintage rhinestone and pearl earrings that picked up the detailing in my dress. My shoes were gold and so comfortable! Of course I had to put flowers on my shoes, and I had a photo of my dad in one shoe so that he could “walk me down the aisle.”  

First Look

Matthew: When I first saw her walking down the aisle, my immediate thought was, “I am a lucky man!”
Personal Touches We wanted our ceremony very family oriented so Matt’s dad married us and my mom did a reading during the ceremony.   

 

Fun Fact
450 roses were a part of our day. All of the special girls in my life had flower rings to wear, and my shoes had flowers on them. Every wedding florist getting married needs flowers on her shoes! We also had 300 candles illuminate the day.

 

Advice to future brides

Plan your big day around what makes you most comfortable and happy. Don’t let the latest trends and “must do’s” pressure you.

 

If Only I Knew Then…

Make sure all your ducks are in a row and go with the flow, because things will come up on your wedding day and you just need to have faith that your family/friends and vendors will take care of any problems.

 

Honeymoon location

We spent a nice long week together in a Log Cabin in Eagle River, Wisconsin

 

Happily Ever After

We’ve done so much in the three years since we met. Matt left his job as a commodities broker to join the rapidly growing Jane Kelly Floral, Inc. full-time. My hope for the next five years is to enjoy what we have accomplished thus far. From there we’ll journey through life together as husband and wife and business partners, accomplishing so many exciting things that we often talk about. We plan to retire in northern Wisconsin, where I will lay in my hammock and Matt will fish the day away.