meadowcroft14's biography
Our wedding was 8/1/09. All photos and editing by Front Room Photography.
Woke up around 8 am. Weather was really dreary and cold and windy. But I checked the weather, and the hourly forecast said that from 2 pm on should be be partly sunny. YAY!! I got ready and said goodbye to Mike around 10 am. Went out and had breakfast with my mom at the hotel and then headed over to the hair salon with my bridesmaids at noon. The weather totally changed while we were there... clouds broke up, blue skies came out, and things started to warm up a tad.
Hair and makeup done by 2, then headed back to the hotel to have the bridesmaids get dressed. Then drove over to the ceremony site at 3. Got into my gown, took pre-ceremony pics. I got a gorgeous diamond raindrop pendant for my wedding gift. Mike loved his boudoir photo book. Didn't even notice the printing "errors" :)
Mike and the boys got ready at the hotel and then drove over to the ceremony site.
By the time of the ceremony, it was 75 degrees with a slight breeze, partly cloudy with just a tad of cloud cover so the lighting in the photos was amazing. Ceremony started promptly at 4 pm as planned, not a single late guest. The string trio was AMAZING. Felt like a movie. The ceremony was short and sweet and perfect. Mike's vows were amazing. He even worked in the brewers and made everyone chuckle. The officiant totally forgot the kiss and told us to turn around and introduced us as Mr. and Mrs. I turned around and said THE KISS!! Then everyone laughed and we kissed. It was perfect.
Then formal photos with the family at the ceremony site followed by a good hour of us taking pictures. The town car we told to be there at 5:30 was on time and air-conditioned, which was awesome since we were so sweaty after walking around.
Got to the reception site around 6:15. Hung out around the cocktail hour for a bit, had a few appetizers. The two I ate were amazing. Everyone was raving about them. The grand entrance into the ballroom was awesome- the entrance song had a great beat, everyone was into it and dancing, our timing came right with the chorus. The speeches by BM and MOH were really funny and sentimental.
Everyone LOVED our choice of using the Vitamin String Quartet for the dinner music. They all said it was like a game to figure out which song it was. Made for a great atmosphere. Dinner was very tasty. Everyone raaved about it. The cake was gorgeous and sooo tasty. The reception set up was BREATHTAKING. Just like in my mind but better. Uplighting was perfect. All the flowers were great.
Our first dance was wonderful, just a wonderful five minutes to ourselves. The dance floor took a little bit to warm up, but there were quite a few people dancing eventually. Dancing at the end of the night with just our friends left was the most fun I have ever had. All the songs were our genre of music and everyone was singing along. Lot of good, clean drunken fun, but no one out of hand.
DJ and bar closed at 11:30. Town car outside waiting promptly just like earlier. Headed back to the hotel where we had a little after-party in the hotel lobby. Then headed up to our room with a few friends and ordered way too much greasy pizza and wings.
So many good memories made that weekend.... we are so lucky to have so many great family and friends.
Our vendors rocked- every single one of them!!
Ceremony site: Villa Terrace Decorative Art Museum
A+: Quite expensive, but COMPLETELY worth it. We moved our wedding from Madison to Milwaukee just because of this site. You cannot beat it in Wisconsin! The view from the terrace is amazing, Lake Michigan is in the background. The building itself is also wonderful. They have a beautiful bridal suite inside for the bride to dress in. The gardens below are perfect for photography. The main contact there, Judy, was always very responsive via email. They do have quite a few rules regarding events there, but it is understandable as it is a historical building. Highly recommended. Price: $2200
Reception Site: Woman's Club of Wisconsin
A+: Cannot recommend this venue more. Kathy, the main contact we had with the club, was amazing. She was so accommodating and personable. Planning was so easy with her- we communicated via email and she always got back to me right away. She had the entire reception room completely setup the night before so I was able to see it all before hand to approve it. She even threw in free chair covers for us the night before. The venue is amazing- the ballroom and its arched ceiling is so beautiful. The staff there was great. The food was PHENOMENAL- we had the prime rib that is to die for. They also supplied our cake, and it was so yummy and beautiful. This place is the best kept secret in Milwaukee. Their prices are so reasonable too- $30 for prime rib!!! And if you only rent the ballroom, there is no food/bev min. Price: approx $5400 (still waiting for final billing) (Cake was $450 of that)
Linens: BBJ Linen
A: Linens we rented for the king table were gorgeous (kind of expensive though IMO). I didn't work directly with them (our reception site handled everything), but as far as I know, they were great! Price: $197
DJ and Lighting: Double Platinum DJs (Bill Spindler)
A+: Bill did a fantastic job at our wedding. Music was a really big part of our wedding, and he was able to accommodate all our requests about which songs to play and which to avoid. He did a great job on the mic during the grand entrance and the garter/bouquet toss. He also provided the uplighting for our reception- and it was fantastic. It added just the perfect touch to the room. Price: $1199
Ceremony music: Racine String Quartet
A+: We hired them for a trio to play at our wedding ceremony. It was super easy to work with them and figure out the details. For $390 we got 15 minutes of prelude music, music during ceremony and then 10 minutes postlude music. They were fantastic- sounded so beautiful. Made me feel like I was in a movie walking down the aisle. Their prices are way better than other quartets/trios in Wisconsin, and they are top-notch musicians. Price: $390
Photography: Front Room Photography
A+: We had so much fun with our photographers, Calfa and Dan. They were on top of everything and really knew what they were doing. We haven't seen many of the pictures yet, but the ones we have seen look amazing. They were sure to get pictures of all the things that I wanted. My husband is actually a photographer who is just starting in the wedding industry, and he aspires to be like Front Room someday. Can't wait to see the pictures! They had concerns that we would be crunched for time, but we couldn't afford to add an extra hour, which would be $400 extra. Dan showed up a half hour early off-the-clock, and they both ended up staying a good half hour late to make sure to get dancing shots. Can't thank them enough. Price: $3500 (without album or prints)
Flowers: Bloom Floral and Event Design (Laurel Flannery)
A+: I was set on a centerpiece design that was quoted to me as $150 per centerpiece through a number of florists. Laurel Flannery who owns Bloom Floral quoted me $50 each. She was awesome to work with through the entire process. We planned through email correspondence, and she always got back to me right away. She didn't charge me to use any of her candleholders, vases, or ceremony stands. I was blown away by every single piece she made- the bouquets were gorgeous, the ceremony pieces were AMAZING, the centerpieces were even better than what I imagined. Price: $1050
Bridal gown/Bridesmaid dresses: Brandi's Bridal Galleria
B: Great selection, although the bridesmaid dress I ended up selecting was not available as a sample at the store. They were fabulous in getting me fitted for my dress. Alterations were excellent, but a little pricey. Bridesmaid dresses came in over a week late, even though I paid extra for a rush order (however I'm not sure how much of this was the bridal shop's faulty versus the factory). Price: my gown $850, bridesmaids $209, my alterations $250
Transportation: Airport Towncar Express
A+: Very friendly on phone and in person. We reserved two pickups, one at 5:30 pm at the ceremony site and one at 11:30 pm at the reception site. Both times were on time with air-conditioned car ready. Great drivers. Easy payment process- let us pay at the end of the night with no deposit. Way more economical than a limo, and we got to be alone with each other for the car ride. Price: $100 + tip
Hair and Makeup: Exclusiva Salon and Spa
A+: So happy with how I looked! Everyone was so nice and accommodating. My first makeup trial left me disappointed, so they let me come back to have a second trial for free. The second look was AMAZING! Also came here the day before to get my nails done with my mom. Package included hair and makeup trial and day of, mani and pedi. Price: $260.
Other Budget Items:
Invitations: DIY'd, printed at Kinkos. Price: $109
Menu cards, programs, table numbers, placecards: DIY'd, printed at Kinkos. Price: $60
Veil @ Ebay. Price: $20
Shoes @ Endless.com Price: $90
Suits @ Macy's Price $
Earrings @ JC Penny Price $20
Instead of doing a sit down dinner, we just rented a picnic site and did a grill-out at Lake Park. The weather was PERFECT for a Wisconsin grill out. Everyone had so much fun and everyone got along great. Here are some pictures...
One of our ushers:
Best Man and Bridesmaid:
Me:
My hubby:
Groomsman:
My mom and mom in law:
Our officiant after we gave him his gift:
We went on a 7-night Carnival Cruise on the Legend to the Western Carribean, departing from Tampa. We went to Grand Cayman, Belize, Cozumel, and Isla Roatan
The Beginning... 07/26/04
One day as Danielle was browsing Buddypic.com, Mike's picture caught her eye. After going into his profile to find out more about him, Danielle noticed that the "perfect woman" that he described was an exact description of her: hair color, height, personality, interests. She felt instantly connected to him and added him to her buddy list. A few days later she sent him an instant message, and they began to chat. Over the next few weeks, they continued to chat and later talk on the phone. Their first date was spent walking around East Towne Mall, talking to each other. After the mall, they drove to the movie theatre and saw Anchorman. After the movie, they drove to a park in Monona, where they sat on a bench and talked for a long time. The next week they had their second date, shared their first kiss, and became inseparable.
The proposal... 06/14/07
Mike proposed while on vacation in New York City. The two had a very nice dinner out at the Capital Grille at the Chrysler Center, and then had a wonderful time seeing Wicked on Broadway. After the show, they arrived back to their hotel and headed up to their room. When Danielle opened the door, she discovered that Mike had arranged for the hotel staff to scatter the room with rose petals and deliver a wine and cheese chart up to the hotel room while they were gone. He then dropped to one knee, pulled out the ring, and asked her to become his wife-- and she said yes.
The wedding... 08/01/09
Stay tuned!
I am in love with our ceremony site! It is such a beautiful location. It's an Italian-Renaissance style mansion that was built back in the 1920's by a really rich guy who was inspired to build the house for his wife after they got back from Italy on their honeymoon. It's now on the Register of Historical Places. It was sold to the City of Milwaukee a few years back and has since been turned into a decorative arts museum. The second floor of the building has art exhibits.
We had our ceremony outside on a brick terrace overlooking a beautiful garden and Lake Michigan. The weather was perfect for an outdoor wedding.
There is a lovely courtyard in between the entrance to the Villa and the area where the ceremony was. We took some photos here after the ceremony.
The gardens below the ceremony site were amazing for photos. Worth the entire fee itself!
As much as I would have loved having my reception at Villa Terrace, we had to find another site because they do not allow DJs or dancing or beer (and we couldn't have that-- this is WI)! But we found a lovely spot at the Woman's Club of Wisconsin, only 5 minutes away. It is another Italian-Renaissance building that was built at the turn of the century. It is a private club, so they don't even advertise to the public that they are a reception spot. I was really lucky to have found it on another bride's blog online, because It's perfect. It's the cheapest reception place we found and the place we liked the most. They have the nicest staff. Parking is on site. Our cocktail hour was held downstairs and dinner/dancing was upstairs. The bar also moved upstairs after dinner.
Carlee (Maid of Honor)
Melissa (Bridesmaid)
Reed (Best Man)
Ben (Groomsman)
I made my own save the dates in photoshop. It went with our antique key theme when I was still really big on that. DIY instructions are available in my guide article... http://www.projectwedding.com/wiki/show/diy-magnet-save-the-date
Photoshop file:
In real life:
My DIY invites- design myself in Photoshop, had them printed at Kinkos. Total cost to print all the materials including envelope labels was $110.
Going out the door- so happy to see them off! :)
Exclusive by Allure Design #2207 in Ivory/Silver. Matching ivory sash with silver beading
Fitting pictures: I *LOVE* my bustle!!!
Wedding shoes: from Endless.com
My veil: Ivory 1T fingertip length veil with lace trim, got on Ebay for $19.99 + free shipping!
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Earrings: JC Penny's $18
Bracelet (my something borrowed from my mom)
Jordan Fashions 638, Tea Length in Aubergine. Lace on bodice is very similar to my dress, but will be aubergine colored to match dress.
Our flowers were absolutely amazing. Everything came out EXACTLY like I envisioned, if not better.
For ceremony:
Bridal Bouquet: very garden-y feeling, with creme lisianthus with subtle purple edges, creme calla lillies, and freesia
Inspiration:
I attached an antique key brooch to my handle as my something old...
Bridesmaid Bouquets: simple hand-tied bouquet with same flowers as my bouquet, just smaller
Grooms Boutonniere: white calla lilly
Inspiration:
From groomsmen/ushers: Picasso calla lillies
Inspiration:
Ceremony decor:
2 large ceremony stands with glass vases at the top. Vases will be filled with same flowers as bouquet (fressia, lisanthius, calla lillies) and be reused at reception on placecard table.
Some flowers were also sitting along the cement wall behind us and hung on the aisle chairs.
For Reception:
King Table Decorations: 5 small pale green pomander balls sitting along the table.
Inspiration:
the color: 
6 tall candlesticks along the table as well...
The 3 bouquets will be placed in vases along the table.
Guest tables: dark purple carnation pomanders atop tall trumpet vases
Inspiration:
color:
Other half: low centerpeices with mix of flowers used for bouquets (lisanthius, freesia, calla lillies)
<--- inspirationInstead of a traditional head table, we did a king table (approx 20 ft by 4 ft long) in the middle of the room. Mike and I sat at the head of the table, closest to the dance floor. The bridal party sat along either side closest to us, and immediate family (parents, grandparents) were seated at the far end of the table. Mike's siblings sat at a round table next to the king table.
Other guests sat at 10 8-person rounds which were staggered on either side of the king table.
Our cake was setup on a round table in the middle of the dance floor and wheeled off after we cut it.
Inspiration:
FH and the groomsmen wore Calvin Klein 2 button gray wool slim fit suits from Macy's and eggplant satin ties from JC Penny's. Black shoes and belt. They looked very dapper.
Mike wore a plum skinny tie. The groomsmen wore normal width ties in the same color.
Our reception site offered free lap length ivory damask tablecloths. We rented 4 8' rectangle ivory floor length table cloths for the king table. I DIY'd an eggplant runner for the king table. The reception site threw in free taupe pintuck chair covers the night before, which were absolutely amazing!
I used the two wraps that came with our bridesmaid dresses as table runners too. Used on the cake table and the wine bottle table.
My DIY king table runner: 2 12.5' long runners in eggplant satin
Napkins for king table: menu cards inside pocket
Napkins for guest tables: folded to lay flat
Guestbook: we had our guests sign 3 bottles of wine, one each to drink on our 1 year, 5 year and 10 year anniversaries. They came out fantastic- a great home decor item in the meanwhile. The bottles we found had the cutest labels too. They are Molly Dooker wines.
Table Numbers:
Placecards:
Seating Chart:
Menu cards:
Programs: 15 minutes prelude music by trio while guests are being seated Grandparents, Michael’s parents seated by ushers at front @ 4:00 pm Processional: Frank walks to alter area. Once he is in place, trio beings Pachelbel’s Canon. Mike, groomsmen enter from back, stand at alter on right side. Carlee walk down first. Melissa walk down second. Frank: Please rise for the bride. Danielle walk down with Mom and Dad. Danielle hug both Mom and Dad, Dad shakes hands with Mike, Mom hugs Mike Mom and Dad sit down in first row on left. Opening Words/Welcome: Family and friends, we have come here to day to celebrate love. We are here to witness Michael and Danielle’s life-long commitment to one another, to offer our love and support to their union, and to allow them to start their married life together surrounded by the people mostimportant to them. Thank-you for being here today. Danielle and Mike, today is one of the most memorable and happy days of your life. Today you come here to be joined as husband and wife.Marriage is never to be entered into lightly. It is a voluntary commitment of two people to each other, to the exclusion of all others. And it is entered into with the desire and the hope that it will last for life. Marriage takes work and dedication from both sides. Through understanding and perseverance, forgiveness and support, the happiness that you feel today will continue long into the future. Declaration of Consent: Knowing that your marriage is a life-long dedication of yourself to one another, please repeat after me… Officiant: Do you, Michael Ray Smith, choose this woman, Danielle, to be your wife? Groom: I do. Officiant: Do you, Danielle Linnea Meadowcroft, choose this man, Michael, to be your husband? Bride: I do. Declaration of Support: Two people in love do not live in isolation. The love between Michael and Danielle is a source of strength to each other and to the community around them. In turn, their community has a responsibility to support them. Do you who are present here today promise to surround Michael and Danielle in love, offering them celebration in times of joy and counsel in times of concern? If so, answer we do. Guests: We do. Vows: I now ask each of you to share with us your vows to one another. Michael, will you please read your vows? Now Danielle, I ask you to please read your vows. Exchange of Rings: Officiant: May I have the rings, please? Michael, please repeat after me as you place this ring on her finger… Danielle, I give you this ring [pause] to serve as a daily reminder of my love for you [pause] and as a promise that my love will last forever. Danielle, please repeat after me as you place this ring on his finger… Michael, I give you this ring [pause] to serve as a daily reminder of my love for you [pause] and as a promise that my love will last forever. Hands Ceremony: Michael and Danielle, please join your hands so that you may feel the gift that you are to each other. The hands you hold are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you on your wedding day. These are the hands that will work along side yours as you build your future together. These are the hands that will love you and cherish you through the years and comfort you like no other. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, tears of sorrow and tears of joy. These are the hands that will tenderly hold each of your children, soothing them through illness and hurt, and supporting and encouraging them along the way. These are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick and console you when you are grieving. Our wish for you, Michael and Danielle, is that these hands always hold one other, that they will forever serve as each other’s healer, protector, shelter, and guide. Closing/Declaration of Marriage: Officiant: With your vows spoken and the rings exchanged, it now gives me great pleasure to pronounce you husband and wife. Michael, you may kiss your bride. [Kiss] Family and friends, let us now celebrate as we greet for the first time Mr. and Mrs. Michael Smith! [applause] Recessional while Trumpet Voluntary is played Mike and Danielle, then Carlee and Ben, then Melissa and Reed, then Frank Ushers release guests row by row, starting with family in first row, working back Receiving line will arrange either inside the dining room or in courtyard area. Bride and groom, parents and grandparents only (not bridal party). Vow cards:
My hair and makeup came out fantastic!! I felt exactly like I hoped I would! Exclusiva Salon and Spa did such a good job.
Hair trial pics: came out ok, just need it bigger and less frizzy! And no bump in the back!
I love Kohler's look with the veil!
Makeup:
Our Menu:
Passed Hors D'oeuvres:
Stuffed Mushrooms with Herb Cheese
Pearl Balls with Soy Dip
New Potato Slices with Sour Cream and Smoked Salmon
Assorted Bruschetta
Salad:
Dinner Salad with Ranch dressing
Entree Choices:
Prime Rib with yorkshire pudding and baked potato, side of carrots and asparagus
Chicken Portofino with orzo pasta, side of carrots and asparagus
Kid's Meals:
Chicken Fingers with French Fries and a Fruit Cup
Cake:
Golden Genoise with layer of chocolate buttercream inside with fresh strawberry slices, and vanilla buttercream icing
12 pm hair/makeup
3 pm Arrive at Villa Terrace (Photographer Arrives)
4 pm ceremony starts
4:30 ceremony over. Formals start, followed by bridal party photos.
5:00ish guests start arriving at reception site
5:15/5:30 Bar opens
5:45/6:00 pictures over, head to reception site. Hang out during last half hour of cocktails.
6:25 Dinner Bell rung
6:30 Bridal Party lines up in Finnigan Room. Bridal Party Grand Entrance
6:45 Welcome/Toast/Speeches
6:50 Dinner served
7:45 Cake Cutting
7:50 First Dance
7:55 Father-Daughter Mother/Son Joint Dance
8:00 Bouquet Toss/Garter Toss
8:05 Dance Floor opens
9:00 Photographer Leaves
11:30 Last dance/Bar Closes
Both band from Kesslers in Madison, WI. My e-ring was from Zales.
Ceremony: String Trio (Viola, Violin, Cello)
Processional: Canon in D (Pachelbel)
Hand Ceremony: Theme from the Harmonious Blacksmith Suite (Handel)
Recessional: Trumpet Voluntary (Clarke)
Dinner: Contemporary songs by the Vitamin String Quartet (this went over FABULOUSLY!!!)
Mine: Mike, today I become your wife. In doing so, I promise to love you forever, with all my heart and soul. I promise to never forget the qualities in you that I fell in love with and help you to improve the qualities you'd like to change. I promise to never turn away from you, to work through the hard times and remember that the bad times are always worth the good. I promise to raise a family with you so that we can spread the love that we share. I promise to help you chase down your dreams and celebrate with you once you achieve them. Because I love you and cherish you, I promise to do all this and more, now and forever.
His: Danielle, many people go through life not knowing what love is, how to love, or what it feels like to be loved. They will never know why we put such a fuss up when we go through a work day and we can't see each other. They will never know the excitment I feel inside when I know you are about ready to walk through the door. They will never know the sheer joy or dissapoint we feel when the Brewer's win or lose, and they will never know how just simply cuddling on the couch together makes me happy. Because of this, I know what it is to be loved. And at the end of this life, if all I have done is built a family with you on that foundation of love, then I will be the richest man in the world.
