MADISON WINTER WEDDING | JEN & RAJ

Kelsy & Butch McCartney January 19, 2016

You know how sometimes you meet someone and just immediately love them? That’s how we felt when we had the pleasure of meeting Jen years ago and, since then, we've enjoyed getting to know her and her adorable pup, Hazel. This summer, Jen reached out with the most EXCITING news and we couldn’t have been happier to hear that she had met a wonderful man who she couldn’t wait to share her life with. We instantly enjoyed the company of Raj just as we did years back with Jen and knew these two were an incredible couple!

Just four months ago, Raj proposed to Jen under the stars in Utah, and they dove right into planning their Catholic-Hindu wedding celebration in Madison, WI. We’re still blown away at everything they planned in such a short period of time, and would joyfully go back to January 1st & 2nd of this year to photograph their wedding again & again. Raj’s family traveled great distances to be a part of their wedding, as did Jen’s and many of their wonderful friends. With the Concourse Hotel as their wedding ‘home base’, we photographed Jen getting ready surrounded by her friends and family in a giant room overlooking Madison’s charming downtown. The sun was shining, it was a perfect winter day in Wisconsin, and it was New Year’s Day! What better way to start the year than to get married to the one you love most?

After sliding into her sparkly kate spade flats and her Grandmother’s stunning fur-collared red coat, we were off to Blessed Sacrament Church. Jen & Raj's Catholic ceremony was officiated by Msgr Joseph Diermeier from St Mary’s Church – the church Jen’s family belongs to in Marathon, WI. After a beautiful ceremony and musical treat from Jen as she beautifully played the flute to “Ava Maria”, her & Raj were announced husband & wife. We had JUST enough time to make it back to the Capitol for portraits as the sun was setting, which made for the most romantic scene!

With the help of daffodil parker’s gorgeous florals, Jen & Raj filled their reception with elegance as well as splashes of Indian decor & flavor. Heartfelt toasts, a memorial table to honor and love on their cherished family members, and a delicious meal led to a packed dance floor with popular American and Indian songs, and they danced the night away!

We couldn’t be more thankful to have been a part of Jen and Raj’s wedding – and this is just day one!! Later this week we’ll be sharing photos from their Hindu ceremony and wedding day, so be sure to stop back because we are exploding-excited to share more from their vibrant celebration!

Lots of love,

Kelsy & Butch

Madison Wedding Photos captured with Contax 645, Pentax 67, Hasselblad 500cm and Nikon F100 on Fuji Pro 400H, Portra 800, Ilford XP2 and Ilford 3200 film. Processed by Fast Foto.

UNIVERSITY CLUB MADISON WEDDING | KATE & BRANDON

Kelsy & Butch McCartney November 6, 2015

Kate & Brandon. What can we say. They're FAMOUS! Their love story has taken the internet by storm this last week and we cannot believe we were the ones there to photograph them promising each other forever in Madison, WI! These two met on a Michigan football online forum. The story is absolutely adorable, and you can watch ESPNs take on it HERE, or People magazine's version HERE... or New York Times HERE... Or HERE, HERE and HERE. Let us know if you need more options... they're out there!

It's no wonder so many are drawn to their story. The two of them are magnetic! Every time an email would pop into our inbox from Kate, we would literally be laughing at our computers as we read her words. And in person, this effect is multiplied. Kate & Brandon have magnetic personalities and a sense of humor people would pay money to have. They're so FUN!

It didn't matter that it was a little cold, a lot windy and some water was falling from the sky. It was Kate & Brandon's wedding day and they were BEAMING! Just seeing their favorite friends and most beloved family all there to celebrate with them was all they needed... and, of course, they couldn't get enough of each other!

They said "I do" along with the most heartfelt vows at the charming, historic First Lutheran Church in Middleton, WI, and had all of their guests meet them at The University Club in Madison for the most romantic of receptions. Hints of their personalities were everywhere to be found, from "things you may not know about" signs in both his & her stylings, miniature animal figurines painted in silver & gold holding each guest's place card, painted books for table numbers, and a little sign with an encouraging quote from 'vodka' telling everyone, "Trust me, you can dance." We can totally hear the two of them saying that :)

Kate & Brandon! Thank you to the moon and back for inviting us to photograph your incredible love story! You two are awesome and we wish we could transplant the two of you into Wisconsin for good... you know, because we want you two as friends :)

Love, Kelsy & Butch

University Club Madison, Wisconsin Wedding Photography capture with Contax 645 and Pentax 67 on Fuji Pro 400H, Ilford 3200 and Portra 800 film.

VILLA TERRACE MUSEUM WEDDING | COURTNEY & BILLY

Kelsy & Butch McCartney November 2, 2015

A Villa Terrace Museum Wedding at sunset. Oh how lucky we are to have been the photographers for Courtney & Billy's BEAUTIFUL Milwaukee wedding! Where do we begin? Their style, the unique florals with olive branches & eucalyptus, the gold glittered vases (made by Courtney!) and mercury glass touches which added just the right amount of sparkle, the blue Ikat fabric runners and teal Moroccan napkins, and the rich setting of the Villa Terrace all came together to bring a taste of the Mediterranean to the heart of Milwaukee for all of Courtney & Billy's guests! The two of them said "I do" in the fading light atop Villa Terrace's patio, then toasted with their guests under strung lights against the open sky, giving the warmest glow to a crisp fall evening. Billy's friends, who just happened to be an awesome band, had the dance floor shaking! But not before Courtney & Billy were unable to wipe smiles off their faces while dancing under those perfectly glowing lights! The sweet moments these two shared had smiles taking over all of their guests, and also the two of us!

As far as weddings go, Courtney & Billy planned a dream wedding celebration! If we could, we would rewind and do it again & again!! Thank you, Courtney & Billy, for giving us the opportunity to document your romantic evening! We are so in love with your wedding photos and feel absolutely honored to have captured them for the two of you.

Love, Kelsy & Butch

Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum Wedding Photos in Milwaukee, WI, captured with Contax 645, Pentax 67 and Nikon F100 on Fuji Pro 400H, Ilford XP2 and Ilford 3200 film.

WAUSAU COUNTRY CLUB WEDDING | PATTI & DAN

Kelsy & Butch McCartney October 22, 2015

Patti & Dan celebrated with an absolutely classic Wausau Country Club Wedding. Evolutions in Design provided elegant florals throughout the entire day, perfectly complimenting Patti's elegant "Hollywood" gown and Dan's tux. From the moment we arrived to St. Michaels Church, the two of them were excited to marry each other and celebrate with their closest family & friends!! Patti soaked in a few quiet moments before being escorted down the aisle by her Dad to the smiling groom awaiting her. After saying their I Do's, Patti & Dan's bridal party and family made their way to the Historic Yawkey House Museum for portraits. They were blessed with an absolutely beautiful fall day as the sun kissed their shoulders all day long. Having the Yawkey House all to ourselves for portraits had our smiles touching our ears with excitement! Next, upon arriving at Wausau Country Club, we were able to escape with Patti & Dan onto the fairways. Seeing the two of them smile at each other during those portraits was just magical. The evening light was incredible, Patti & Dan were the happiest newlyweds, and there we were, capturing them on film. We feel SO lucky to have documented Patti & Dan's wedding day!

Guests enjoyed cocktail hour and a giant display of appetizers before entering the most stunning reception space at Wausau Country Club! With Patti's Mom, Micki, planning much of their wedding, she thought of every detail. Including a "kissing bell" awaiting each guest at their table. Dinner was filled with the sounds of ringing bells urging Patti & Dan to kiss just one more time, and we especially loved this means of bringing about smooches because, just like their wedding day, it felt completely timeless. Randy and his amazing team at Evolutions decorated with stunning gold chairs and white florals to make Patti & Dan's celebration romantic, and so beautiful. After sweet (and entertaining!!) toasts, the new Mr & Mrs kicked off dancing with their band, the Bluewater Kings, who from the second the first dances were over had the dance floor stomping with energy.

Patti & Dan, thank you for trusting your wedding day memories to us. We were overjoyed to spend time with you at your parents property for your winter engagement, and couldn't be happier for the two of you!

Love, Kelsy & Butch

Wausau Country Club Wedding Photography captured with Contax 645, Pentax 67 and Hasselblad 500cm on Fuji Pro 400H, Ilford XP2 and Ilford 3200. Developed & scanned by Fast Foto.

FALL WISCONSIN WEDDING | MAGGIE & DJ

Kelsy & Butch McCartney October 13, 2015

Maggie & DJ's wedding fell on a truly perfect early fall day in Wisconsin. The colors were just starting to show, and sunshine followed them all day long! After their fall engagement session in Wausau last year, we couldn't WAIT for their wedding day to arrive!! Maggie & DJ are simply the kind of people you can't wait to see and don't want to leave. They're high school sweethearts as well, and that makes us love them even more. :)

Without Maggie or her parents knowing at the time, her Grandfather started a private account when Maggie was born to gift her with a wedding dress. Although her Grandfather passed before she and DJ became engaged, Maggie's Grandma presented her with this sweet gift which allowed him to have a special part in their wedding. And, Maggie's stunning Allure Bridals dress glistened!! With her beloved hair and makeup artist team from her pageant days, she enjoyed a morning of being dolled up and was an absolutely radiant bride!! Meanwhile, DJ and his gentlemen enjoyed a relaxing morning and couldn't wait for the day to begin.

Music is a huge part of Maggie & DJ's relationship (he plays guitar and she plays piano/sings), and they incorporated this shared passion into their ceremony by having talented loved ones sing. There wasn't a dry eye in the house as they both started tearing up while Maggie's brother sang! After an emotional ceremony, Maggie & DJ hugged each of their guests in the First Presbyterian Church's charming, ivy-covered courtyard. With a rich, romantic color palette of navy, oxblood and gold, they set the scene for a joyful evening surrounded by everyone they love most!

Maggie & DJ, your happiness is infectious and we couldn't be more thrilled for the two of you! Thank you so much for the honor of photographing your beautiful wedding day!

Love, Kelsy & Butch

Fall Wisconsin wedding photos captured with Contax 645, Pentax 67 and Hasselblad 500cm on Fuji Pro 400H, Ilford XP2 and Ilford 3200 film. Developed & scanned by Fast Foto.

MADISON WINTER WEDDING | JEN & RAJ

UNIVERSITY CLUB MADISON WEDDING | KATE & BRANDON

VILLA TERRACE MUSEUM WEDDING | COURTNEY & BILLY

WAUSAU COUNTRY CLUB WEDDING | PATTI & DAN

FALL WISCONSIN WEDDING | MAGGIE & DJ

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