Jefferson County Wedding at Bennett Barn

A Wisconsin Fun-Filled Barn Wedding

The Beginning of Mikayla and Michael

MiKayla and Michael, both from Elkhorn, Wisconsin, have had mutual friends their whole lives. They eventually found love and a partner for life in each other. Michael proposed while the two were on vacation, but not before having the ring delivered to the house. “Michael works third shift and was actually sleeping when it was delivered,” MiKayla says. “I had to sign for the ring and knew immediately what it was! But the way he proposed was perfect. I was expecting it to be when we went to dinner all dressed up, but it was on one of our early morning beach walks, no makeup and still in my pajamas.”

From Wedding Photographer to Wedding Planning

MiKayla is a wedding photographer, so she knows the ropes of weddings and wedding planning mighty well. “As a wedding photographer I wanted to make a statement, as I see weddings all the time. I wanted bold and vintage; I wanted the day to feel like us.” For the colors of the day, MiKayla went with just about every shade of pink, bold oranges, and blues. “It all came together so well.”

Wedding Attire

MiKayla tried on two or three dresses before finding her gown at All About the Gown. “I originally wanted something that stood out, with patterns and lace,” she says. But she soon realized that on her short frame, those detailed dresses made her feel like she was wearing a tablecloth. “So I went for a classic and timeless dress and fell in love. My seamstress added sleeves for me and we cut the hem so it was shorter.”

First Look & Ceremony

Before the ceremony, the bride and groom had a first look, photographed by Megan Swederski Photography. “I see first looks so often at my job, but I turned into a sobbing mess of tears seeing him stand there.” The ceremony included heartfelt tributes to MiKayla’s father, who passed away when she was in high school. “He had his own chair with an invitation addressed to him, his work boots and his work jacket. Once I got down the aisle a huge monarch butterfly flew in front of us and everyone was in tears.” Michael and MiKayla shared personal vows and ended with a sand ceremony that included their two girls.

A Fun-Filled Reception

MiKayla and Michael’s reception centered on fun. They kicked things off with a white bounce-house for guests to enjoy: “The pictures with our bridal party in it are so fun!” Signature drinks were his and her margaritas. Dinner featured stuffed chicken and shaved prime rib.

Dessert was a gorgeous cake by Poppy Cakes LG. And for a late-night snack, they had a cheese curd truck come by. “It was a huge hit!”

Dancing the Night Away

In place of the traditional father-daughter dance, MiKayla and Michael got creative. “I had my husband dance with our girls, and I joined them,” she says. “We had a slideshow of my dad playing behind us.” After the first dances, guests danced until they couldn’t anymore.

MiKayla says there’s nothing she would change in her wedding or wedding-planning process.

“I wish I could do it all over again. I could redo it 1000 times. I miss that weekend more than anything!”