Kori and Cody marry at the Ivy House in Milwaukee

Olive Green and Neutrals Create an Edgy Winter Wedding at the Ivy House

February 12, 2025

Meaningful Tattoos and Endless Dancing make a Vibrant and Unique Wedding Experience

How They Met

Cody & Kori met in 2015 through Kori’s sister who was attending the same college as Cody. Kori’s sister was dating (now married to) Cody’s college roommate (one of Cody’s groomsmen). When Kori went to visit, they were introduced and hit it off immediately. Cody joined the Air Force and Kori kept in touch with him, sending him care packages while he was deployed. They began dating long-distance while Cody was living in Tucson, AZ and Kori was in Des Moines, IA. When Cody received military orders to Oak Creek, WI in 2022, Cody and Kori moved there together with their two dogs Cheddar and Barley.

How They Got Engaged

Cody, Kori, and Cody’s sister Chelsey braved the windy day and below freezing temperature on December 3rd, 2022 so that Chelsey could take photos of Cody and Kori at Lake Park in Milwaukee to use for Christmas cards. Cody (with the help of his sister) used the opportunity to propose. Surprised and freezing, Kori obviously said YES!

The Planning Process

Wedding Date: Saturday, March 23, 2024
Guest Count: 110
Style/Theme: Industrial Chic
Wedding Colors: Dark olive green and neutrals
Bridal Shows Attended: Thoughtful, edgy vibrant

What was your favorite design?

“My favorite design element to our wedding was what The Ivy House already provided, which is their venue full of live plants and ivy hanging from the walls and ceiling. We used a lot of candles in our decorating and Amanda with Flowers for Dreams was so great in working with us on floral centerpieces, which included white florals mixed with green foliage, thistle and grasses for the textured and organic look we were wanting to compliment the space.”

Weddings Looks

Dress: Sarah Seven from Strike Bridal Bar
Menswear: The Groom and Groomsmen wore their Military Dress Blues. Non-military groomsmen suits were from States & Liberty.
Rings: Ken & Dana Design

Hair: Breanna Dahl Beauty
Makeup: Aseel Atari with Rouje Beauty

“Breanna was so much fun! The bridesmaids loved her and she did amazing work! Aseel also does amazing work! She did airbrush makeup for all the girls on wedding day and I also went to her leading up to the wedding for brows, waxing, derma blading, and facials!”

How many dresses did you try on?

“I tried on 13 wedding dresses at Strike Bridal Bar. I knew Strike Bridal was the only dress store I needed to make an appointment at. I had done my research before my appointment and saw the designers they carried and was immediately drawn to Sarah Seven. I went to my dress shopping appointment with three favorites in mind and after trying on those three first, I was quite sure I already knew which dress I was buying that day. But how many times do you get to try on wedding dresses in your life!? So I took my opportunity and continued to try on all sorts of different dresses. It was so much fun trying on all the dresses and also helped confirm the dress I knew I wanted from the start.”

Ceremony Details

Location: The Ivy House
Photographer & Videographer: DeGroot Film Co

“The ceremony was officiated by brother-in-law, Dustin. It was a short but beautiful ceremony full of love. Our families were at the front of the ceremony, along with our three dogs, Cheddar, Barley and Pretzel, who let out a few barks of approval and excitement during the ceremony. We loved the backdrop The Ivy House provided so much, both inside with the exposed brick and live ivy and outside with the painted green brick building. We felt we had plenty of beautiful backdrops for photos and didn’t need to leave the venue.”

Reception Details

Location: The Ivy House
Food: Noble Catering served up Wagyu Beef Meatballs, Pork Belly Brussels Bao Buns, and Drunken Watermelon Squares for appetizers, followed by Brussels Sprouts Salad, Hawaiian Poke Bar, Street Taco Bar for dinner (some of the bride and groom’s favorite foods)

Dessert: Bundlets from Nothing Bundt Cakes
Late Night Snack: Tots Food Truck

Music & Entertainment: Jack with Milwaukee Airwaves | Tattoos by Harvest Moon Tattoo Co
First Dance Song: Tennessee Whiskey by Chris Stapleton
Dance Lessons:
Fred Astaire Dance Studios in Oak Creek

“Megan Strong was our instructor. We had so much fun with Megan who helped us learn multiple different dances!”

“The cocktail party started with us getting meaningful tattoos together – both getting matching fishhooks to honor Kori’s dad and stingrays for Cody’s family. Many family and friends also partook, lining up for tattoos well into the night. More of our favorite parts included the wedding party entrance to AC/DC’s Thunderstruck, a late-night snack with the arrival of the Tots Food Truck, and lots of EDM music in the evening, which included CO2 canons and cold sparks to a Harry Potter remix.”

Looking Back

Biggest Wedding Splurge: Premium Bar & Tattoo Artist

Which vendor impressed you the most?

“Jack with Milwaukee Airwaves also immediately understood our vision. We are so thankful to have had him as our DJ. He knew we wanted to throw a big party and he delivered! Once the dance floor opened for the evening, he had the dance floor packed until the very last song.

Our Wedding Planner Ella Wall made the wedding planning and our wedding day the most stress-free imaginable! She was a huge help in reading over contracts and communicating with vendors, and really made our vision come to life.

Cylie with Milwaukee Wedding Day Dogs – Another vendor that helped make our wedding day stress-free! First meeting Cylie, we knew our dogs were in great hands! She asked all the right questions beforehand, and on wedding day we never had to worry about where the dogs were or who was letting them outside.”

What moment sticks with you the most?

Kori’s dad passed away the year prior to their wedding, so it was important to find moments throughout the day to remember him. In lieu of a father-daughter dance, Cody and Kori spent a lot of time putting together videos of Kori’s dad, Jon, to the song they were meant to dance to. It was extremely special to be able to share that moment with everyone and share photos and videos to honor him.

What tips or advice would you share with future couples?

“Find vendors that you vibe well with! Not only will the majority of them be there on your wedding day, but it helps make the planning process so much more fun when you’re working with people you enjoy talking to and can trust that they understand your vision.”

Wisconsin Wedding Vendors:

Wedding Vendor Service Website Instagram
Consultant/Coordinator Ella Wall, Event Planner with Blue Fancy Events & Light as a Feather Event Planning | Mandi Benjamin, Venue Manager with Two Birds Event Group @blue_fancy_events | @lightasafeatherevents
Ceremony & Reception Location The Ivy House @theivyhousemke
Catering Noble Catering @noblecateringco
Bartending The Ivy House @theivyhousemke
Photography & Video DeGroot Film Co @degrootfilmco
Cake/Dessert Nothing Bundt Cakes @nothingbundtcakes
Flowers Flowers For Dreams @flowersfordreams
Rental Companies (linens, chairs, tent, etc.) All Star Rentals (Green Velvet Couch) @allstarrentals
Invitations Canva and UPrinting @canva | @uprinting
Music/Entertainment Jack with Milwaukee Airwaves @milwaukeeairwaves
Transportation Trolley with Jones Travel
Makeup Artist Aseel Atari with Rouje Beauty @roujebeauty
Hair Stylist Breanna Dahl Beauty @breannadahlbeauty
Gown Sarah Seven from Strike Bridal Bar @strikebridalbar
Bridesmaid Dresses Birdy Grey @birdygrey
Formalwear The Groom and Groomsmen wore their Military Dress Blues

Non-military groomsmen suits were from States & Liberty

@stateandliberty
Rings Engagement Ring from Ken & Dana Design @kenanddanadesign
Dance Lessons Megan Strong with Fred Astaire Dance Studios in Oak Creek @fadsmilwaukee
Rehearsal Dinner Camp Bar Third Ward @campbarmke
Pet Wranglers Milwaukee Wedding Day Dogs @milwaukeeweddingdaydogs
Lodging Kimpton Journeyman Hotel @journeymanhotel
Tattoos Harvest Moon Tattoo Co. @harvestmoontattooco