Elizabeth & Brad married 07.22.17

Growing Together by Laura Vietmeyer

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Bridesmaids Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids

Calligraphy: The Blooming Quill

Decor/Equipment Rental & Staging: Barking Pony Studios & Canopies Events with Distinction

Engagement Ring & Wedding Bands: Lyle Husar Designs

Photographer: Front Room Photography

Reception Location: Milwaukee Art Museum

Wedding Planning & Design: Dynamic Events by David Caruso

Brad and Elizabeth met their sophomore year of high school. Brad says he knew early on that Elizabeth was the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. From their first dance together that year at the winter turnabout dance to a private and romantic impromptu dance on their honeymoon, which was to Nat King Cole’s “For All We Know,” their relationship has only grown stronger after enduring long distance and time apart through college and grad school. The couple said “I do” before 200 guests and celebrated at the Milwaukee Art Museum, which was transformed into the space of their dreams to embrace the “Romantic Glam” theme.

Elizabeth spotted Brad during her first class of the day sophomore year. They got to know each other over the next couple of years and officially started dating senior year. Brad left a week after graduation to attend college football camp, starting a 3-year period of long distance for the couple. Elizabeth went on to graduate school in Madison while Brad moved home and started working. “We managed to stay together and as in love as ever,” Elizabeth says. “Being long distance for so many years makes us so appreciative of our time together. We’ve been together for 8 years now, and they’ve been wonderful!”

When asked how he knew Elizabeth was the one, Brad responded, “As cliche as it may be, it truly was love at first sight. It didn’t take a long time to know that she was the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.”

As the couple grew together, they couldn’t picture spending their lives with anyone else. Brad says that planning the proposal was easy. “It only took me walking around with the ring in my pocket for a day until I found the perfect moment to pop the question. She loved it!”

They were at Camp Randall for their high school’s state championship run. On the walk back to the car, it started to snow beautiful, thick flakes. “As we reached the car, he turned to me, got down on one knee, and proposed. It was such a simple, unplanned moment, but so romantic and special,” Elizabeth says.

After sharing the news with their family and friends, it was time to plan the wedding. The couple says David Caruso of Dynamic Events was most helpful in planning the big day. “Planning with him and his team (looking at you, Shannon!) was a blast. He took our ideas and created an unforgettable event; a true fairy tale!” Elizabeth says. “I told David I loved crystals, so he showed me the Chandelier Bar at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas. I said ‘that’s the look.’ He composed a dream team to make the design come to life. It was unbelievable!”

Elizabeth wore a gown by Vera Wang with a matching veil and crystal belt and Badgley Mischka pointed toe pumps in cobalt blue, embracing the “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” tradition. She also had an old sixpence for her shoe and borrowed her mother’s Irish linen handkerchief. “Elizabeth always looks amazing, so it was no surprise how perfect she looked when she came down the aisle,” Brad says.

Their special day was filled with tender and funny moments alike. “We had a very funny blessing given by our family friend, Fr. Tom Wittliff, and later on in the evening when Brad’s friends swapped their tux and dress, respectively. That made for some great photos,” Elizabeth recalls.

Reflecting back on their wedding day and the process it took to get there, Elizabeth says, “Go with the flow and know that no matter what, you cannot control everything. This mindset will help you enjoy the process instead of stressing about it. Take a moment between cake tastings, dress fittings, and floral appointments to realize that you’re marrying your best friend, and that your journey starts after the wedding.”

Looking to the future, the couple hopes to be living in their dream home with their two dogs, Molly and Opie, and maybe some other additions to the family! Later on in life, they see themselves in rocking chairs on their front porch in Charleston, S.C., one of their favorite places to visit.