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Lauren and Sarah marry at the DeKoven Center in Racine

Dusty Rose and Emerald Green Wedding at The DeKoven Center

September 24, 2024

Lauren and Sarah created a romantic, antique wedding day that was heartfelt and timeless.

How They Met

“We were roommates! We both responded to the same ad for an apartment to rent in NYC. We were both there for graduate school and ended up living in the same apartment with two other women. We started out as roommates, which turned into a friendship that developed into something more over time.”

How They Got Engaged

Sarah tricked Lauren into thinking that her family was being interviewed for a news article at the theater where Lauren’s dad works. When Lauren arrived, there was a string quartet playing her favorite music, and the stage at the theater was dressed in different sections that took Lauren on a trip through the different junctures of their relationship over time, leading to the final one, asking if Lauren would marry her. Sarah was surprised when Lauren proposed back a month later at the park near their home, which was decorated with lights and photos of some of their favorite memories together.

The Planning Process

Wedding Date: September 3, 2023
Guest Count: 125
Style/Theme: Romantic, antique
Wedding Colors: Emerald and dusty rose

What was your favorite design?

“We went for a maximalist vibe and while it was a big task to take on we ended up loving how it turned out. Books were the base of our centerpieces surrounded by bud vases and small trinkets. The tables were named after authors and we had a framed quote from each author on their table. But our favorite design element was our dessert table. We decided to make it a memorial to loved ones who had passed away and each dessert was chosen to represent our loved ones favorite treats.”

Weddings Looks

Dress: Miss Ruby
Suit: Custom made by Richard Bennett Custom Tailors
Hair: Maria from Meraki Salon Services
Makeup: Stephanie from Meraki Salon Services
Rings: Craig Husar

How many dresses did you try on?

“I tried a couple of dresses on at the first location, Miss Ruby, and then ended up trying a dress my mom had pulled simple because she liked the fabric and I fell in love. As soon as I put it on I felt stunning and when I walked about my party cried. I had told my stylist that I wanted my dress to be dramatic and classic, and that was exactly what I got! I didn’t say yes right away because I had only tried on 3 or 4 dresses at that point but so I felt like I should see all my options but I never stopped thinking about that dress”

Ceremony Details

Location: St. John’s Chapel at The DeKoven Center

“We intentionally made the ceremony very personal. It seems to be a trend to make ceremonies as short as possible but we didn’t really worry about that and I think it ended up being our favorite part of the day. We had a string quartet that played beautifully, we had a close friend from Lauren’s side play one of our favorite songs on the guitar and a friend from Sarah’s side read a poem. We each wrote and read our own vows and had a time capsule that we filled with things from our relationship. We worked with our officiant to write a script that encapsulated our full relationship and our close family and friends who have supported us along they way. We heard from attendees that they hadn’t ever been to a ceremony that was so full of heart and that they enjoyed learning a little bit more about us as a couple.”

Photographer: Gina Emmer, GE Creative
Photo stops: The DeKoven Center and nearby lakefront

“The DeKoven Center has so many beautiful places to take pictures we didn’t go anywhere else. We did take a short walk across the street to take a couple in front of the lake.”

Reception Details

Location: The Assembly Hall at The DeKoven Center
Food and Drink: The Red Onion Cafe and open bar with The DeKoven Center

“The DeKoven Center was everything we were looking for in venue. While neither of us are very religious we both grew up in churches and love historical buildings and old architecture. We both had always dreamed of getting married in a church with beautiful stained glass and old charm. It was also in my hometown and right on the lake front which is so special to me because the lake was such a big part of my youth. And the fact that our ceremony and reception could be on the same grounds and that we could stay in the DeKoven Center’s Airbnb so we could just walk home after the reception was beyond perfect.”

Music & Entertainment: Innocenti Strings and a Spotify playlist
First Dance Song: The Book of Love

“Our parents and both of our people of honor gave tearjerker speeches and then we did our first dances. We danced to The Book of Love which is from one of Sarah’s favorite movies Shall We Dance, and Lauren had choreographed the dance herself. The audience was very excited when we successfully executed a lift, and we got a standing ovation.”

Looking Back

Biggest Wedding Splurge:

“A four-string quartet for the ceremony and cocktail hour.”

Vendor Who Impressed You the Most:

“We adored working with Nicole Miller from the DeKoven Center and Gina Emmer our photographer. Right from the start Nicole was so organized, kind, and went out of her way to make the day special for us”

What Moment Sticks with You the Most?

“Our first look was such a joy filled moment. Sarah hadn’t seen my dress yet and I hadn’t seen her suit. My mother had also made Sarah a shirt from her late mother’s wedding dress to wear with the suit and I was really excited to see the finished product. As a petite woman, she was so concerned she wouldn’t find a suit that would fit her well but when I saw her I was blown away. She looked beautiful and confident and I couldn’t wait to marry her! I also couldn’t wait for her to see my dress which I absolutely adored and I knew she would love it too.”

Words of Wisdom:

“Nobody should be afraid to break the rules of current wedding conventions. Put any gender in your party, have an unconventional ceremony, spend money on the things that are important to you and don’t let people make you think you have to spend money on something you don’t care about.”

Wisconsin Wedding Vendors:

Wedding Vendor Service Website Instagram
Ceremony The DeKoven Center – St. John’s Chapel @the_dekoven_center
Reception The DeKoven Center – The Assembly Hall @the_dekoven_center
Caterer Red Onion Cafe – Catering by Chef John @redonionracine
Bartending Services The DeKoven Center @the_dekoven_center
Photographer Gina Emmer, GE Creative @ge.creative
Flowers Fifty Flowers @fiftyflowers
Invitations Truly Engaging @truly.engaging
Music/Entertainment Innocenti Strings and a Spotify playlist @innocentistrings
Makeup Stephanie from Meraki Salon Services @merakisalonservices
Hair Maria from Meraki Salon Services @merakisalonservices
Gown Miss Ruby @missrubyboutique
Suits Custom made by Richard Bennett Custom Tailors | Etsy @richardbennetttailorswi
Rings Craig Husar @craighusarfinediamonds

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