Milwaukee has always been for us a city for a quick gateway when we felt a bit overwhelmed with a hustle of Chicago. There’s something really cozy about Milwaukee’s neighborhoods that Chicago somewhat lacks in my opinion. Milwaukee, despite its large size, retains that certain feel of a “large but small” city. Or maybe it’s that “Batman vibe” that Milwaukee’s downtown has (as my friend described it once) that always attracted us to it.

When Kristin and Michael asked us to document their wedding day in Milwaukee we were thrilled. We got to  finally shoot in the city that we have loved to visit for so many years! What we haven’t realized was the grandeur of Villa Terrace, the place where the wedding took place. An impressively large, Italian Renaissance-style home converted to a museum / wedding venue. Of course we have researched it online and thought it looked great but nothing prepared us for what it looked like in reality. When we arrived early in the morning of the wedding to do a bit of pre wedding scouting, we were blown away visually. Villa Terrace looked truly like an old Italian villa!  Every corner of this magnificent house has something truly inspiring. From its multi level gardens, to uniquely designed rooms, amazing courtyard with a beautiful fountain, thoughtful art and unique furniture, everything at Villa Terrace looks real and authentic. I really don’t think there is any other place in Chicago or Midwest that truly gets that real Italian villa vibe as close as this place does. As a wedding venue, Villa Terrace is a photographer’s dream come true. This is as close as it gets to be transported to Italy without taking a plane over the Atlantic. 

The wedding itself was a dream. Micheal and Kirstin figured out how to get that intimate wedding experience before it became trendy in 2020. They surrounded themselves with closest friends and family and a tiny bridal party. The ceremony took place in the backyard of the villa, overviewing the mighty Lake Michigan. They did their first dance in the courtyard, with their guests cheering them while sipping the champagne. Outdoor, candle lit, dinner followed in the backyard. The night ended with some boogieing, inside the villa’s huge living room. It was a perfect and meaningfully envisioned wedding, which we’ll remember for a long time. Thank you for having us along for the ride.  

The team:
Decoration, florals and catering: Gracious Events Catering
Band: Milwaukee Hot Club Band