The Planning Process
Wedding Date: July 21, 2024
Guest Count: 160
Style/Theme: Summer Sleek
Wedding Colors: Lilac, Navy, White
Favorite Design Element: Floral Centerpieces and a Shot Wall Seating Chart
Lilac and Navy Wedding at Oconomowoc Community Center
From a romantic Colorado proposal, to a summer sleek lakeside wedding
How They Met
Brittani and Kris met after Brittani received a message on Facebook from Kris, a familiar face that she recognized from high school. After chatting back and forth they met (very briefly) at the Waukesha County Fair with their kids. The following weekend they went on their first date, grabbing drinks at Rock Bottom Brewery in Milwaukee and since that summer night in July of 2017, they became inseparable!
How They Got Engaged
“Kris had been talking about how he had never been to Colorado (and neither had I), and how he always wanted to go to a concert at the Red Rocks Amphitheater. I happened to look at concerts at Red Rocks around his birthday, and it just so happened that one of his bucket list performers would be there the day after his birthday! I bought the flights to head to Colorado on his actual birthday, booked the AirBnB, rented the car, and bought the concert tickets. I packed a hiking bag full of notes to show him what his gift was. Little did I know, for a few months he had been planning on proposing, but wanted to wait for a grand way to do it, and this was it.
We landed in Colorado on October 12, which was Kris’ birthday. He told me to quickly get ready and to dress kind of nice, but also wear shoes to walk on (aka not heels), so I was naturally very confused. He brought me to this amazing lake on a mountain, Brainard Lake, and it was then that I knew something was up. He made me stand on an X in the dirt, told me how much he loved me, and asked if we could take a minute to remember my mom who had passed away 3 years prior. A huge gust of wind came through, we both broke down into tears, and he got down on one knee.”
Weddings Looks
Dress: Made with Love Bridal, Bucci’s Bridal
Menswear: Savvy Bride
Hair: Heather Kalous
Makeup: Erika Altreuther
Rings: Jared
How many dresses did you try on?
“About 40. I tried my dress on first because I had seen it on Instagram and knew before I saw it in person that it was my dress. It was the perfect combination of sexy and classy, it was simple, and everything I wanted.”
Ceremony Details
Location: Oconomowoc Community Center
Photographer: Wild Elegance
Videographer: C*Lee Productions
Photo stops: Nashotah Park, Oconomowoc Community Center
“It was all amazing. My best friend’s husband was our officiant. We picked him because of his special connection he had to my mom who had passed away. We wanted her to be a big part of our ceremony, since she always talked and dreamed of my wedding more than I ever had. I had my dad and my mom’s boyfriend of 9 years walk me down the aisle. Bill, my mom’s boyfriend, held my mom’s urn. Kris and I wrote our own vows.”
Reception Details
Location: Smoke on the Water BBQ
Food and Drink: Smoke on the Water BBQ
“The owners are close family friends and we always thought how they remodeled the basement was beautiful. We loved that it was on the lake, because we love being on the water during the summers.”
Music & Entertainment: Darryl and Spencer, XCite entertainment
First Dance Song: Higher Ground (Reprise) by Odesza ft. Naomi Wild
“Our reception was all about everyone having the most fun. We did our grand march to fireball by pitbull, where all of our guests then took their own fireball shots, which was little bottles that was their seating chart. Kris’ dad got the energy going right away with an amazing toast, ending it with the infamous Jump Around, by house of pain. My dad’s speech had everyone in the room crying, and our maid of honor and best man speeches were nothing short of perfect. Our first dance was to a song that had special meaning to us, and then Spencer and Darryl got everyone dancing all night!”
Looking Back
Biggest Wedding Splurge: Our DJ and Videographer (but 100% worth it)
Which vendor impressed you the most? DJ and videographer
Three Words that Described the Day: The Best Day
What moment sticks with you the most? Our First Dance
What tips or advice would you share with future couples?
“Don’t stress the small things! Give yourself enough planning time, and truly, the day goes by way too fast, so take in every moment.”
Wisconsin Wedding Vendors:
| Wedding Vendor Service | Website | |
| Invitations | Zola | @zola |
| Florist | Bride | |
| Dress Designer/Bridal Shop | Made with Love Bridal, Bucci’s Bridal | @buccisbridal |
| Menswear | Savvy Bride | @gosavvybride |
| Bridesmaid Dresses | Azazie | @azaziebridal |
| Hair Stylist | Heather Kalous | |
| Makeup Artist | Erika Altreuther | |
| Rings | Jared | @jaredjewelers |
| Ceremony | Oconomowoc Community Center | @visitocon |
| Photographer | Wild Elegance | @wildelegancewi |
| Videographer | C*Lee Productions | @cleecreations |
| Reception, Catering & Bartending | Smoke on the Water | @smokeonthewaterokauchee |
| Cake | Cakes by Brittney | |
| Music/Entertainment | Darryl and Spencer, XCite Entertainment | @xcitemke |
| Rehearsal Dinner | Golden Mast Inn | @goldenmastokauchee |