Ali & Will’s Romantic Outdoor Wedding
“I remember thinking to myself that I was in trouble if all the men looked like he did at the hotel,” says Ali.
Ali and Will found themselves in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin working at the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa in 2016 due to unforeseen circumstances. Will moved to Lake Geneva for an internship that ultimately turned into an extended stay. Ali became ill during her stint with the Peace Corps and moved in with her parents, who had just relocated to Lake Geneva.
While recovering, she started working at the resort to earn some money until she could move back to Los Angeles, where she was living previously.
Ali and Will tried to keep business and personal separate, but they felt an immediate connection and eventually started dating.
“I just never wanted to be apart from him,” she says. “Luckily, I married him, and to this day, I just always want to be around him, whether we are adventuring in a new country or watching movies on our couch.”
The pair were married on the farm where Will lived when he first came to the state, and they planned a wedding that would give their out-of-state guests a real taste of Wisconsin. A tractor ride brought their friends and family to the ceremony site where Spotted Cow beer from New Glarus Brewery awaited them. And, of course, a large cheese platter was one of the appetizers.
After the ceremony, Ali changed into a second dress, the one that was her mother’s favorite when they went dress shopping together. Ali’s mom was an essential part of the early wedding planning. Sadly, she passed away from cancer before the wedding, which prompted Ali to go back to All About the Gown and purchase the dress her mother loved.
“It was a very emotional experience going through the last few months of wedding planning without my mom, but having her favorite pick was one way I was able to bring her with me that day,” Ali says.
Ali and Will made their grand entrance to the song Dreams Come True from the film 500 Days of Summer and then everyone feasted from a handful of stations, from pasta to tacos to meat carving. For dessert, the couple went for a traditional cake and instead had a station for their favorite dessert, s’mores.
To end the celebratory day, Ali and Will decided to have a last dance with just the two of them. All the guests had exited a few minutes before, giving them a chance to enjoy the last moments alone.
“It was very nice to just soak everything up and enjoy being newly married,” she says. “Whenever I talk to newly engaged couples, I suggest a last dance.”
Guests: 140
Vendors:
Ceremony: Geneva Collina
Reception: Rosewood
Photography: Kristina Lorraine Photography
Event Coordinator: Graceful Events
Bride’s Gowns: from All About the Gown – Morilee by Madeline Gardner; Martin Thornburg
Hair & Makeup Artist: Hailey Janzen
Jewelry: Grace & Lace Bridal
Formalwear: Men’s Wearhouse
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Wtoo Watters from Bella Bridesmaids
Stationery: Pure Joy Ink
Floral & Decor: Willow Design
Cake & Sweets: Rosewood
