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Laura and Jim at Turner Hall Ballroom by Roost Photography

A Sage, Gold Gatsby Wedding at the Historic Turner Hall Ballroom

April 30, 2025

Burgundy Accents, Motorcycle Vibes, and a Tattooed Love Story

How They Met

Laura and Jim were introduced through a mutual friend—Laura’s hairstylist and future bridesmaid—who had a feeling they’d be a perfect match. Their blind coffee date quickly turned into a two-hour walk through Milwaukee, followed by tacos and tequila, then rounds of shuffleboard and skee-ball at a nearby arcade bar. The day flew by and ended with a flash thunderstorm and an unforgettable hug before they parted ways. In just their first week of knowing each other, they went on three more dates—and soon after, discovered the life-changing joy of finding a soulmate.

How They Got Engaged

“We took a spontaneous road trip to New Orleans for New Year’s Eve in 2022. On the second day (12/29/22), after spending a day at the World War II museum (I obliviously was taking way too long to read all the plaques), we made our way to the heart of the city both of us were experiencing for the first time. NBC production crews were setting up for their NYE broadcast from Jackson Square, testing powerful spotlights that illuminated the park after the sun went down in an unnatural but beautiful way. We walked through the gates of Jackson Square, and under the canopy of a tree nestled in the St. Ann & Decatur corner of the square, Jim got down on one knee. I truly had zero expectation for a proposal on this trip, only to find out he’d been planning it for weeks. Through lots of happy tears and laughter, I said yes.”

The Planning Process

Wedding Date: June 30, 2024
Guest Count: 170
Style/Theme: Motorcycles meets Gatsby
Wedding Colors: Sage, Gold, Off-White, Burgundy
Bridal Shows Attended: WEDMKE, Bridal Expo Milwaukee-Brookfield

What was your favorite design?
“I loved every aspect of how all the design elements came together. From the venue itself (Turner Hall is a historic gem), to the wooden arch we stood under for the ceremony (built by Jim’s Dad), which was adorned with a masterful macrame tapestry made by Jim’s Mom. The lounge on the stage was supplied and arranged by Adorn Event Co. All of our decorations were hand made by Jim’s Mom, who is an insanely talented artist across all mediums. The guest tables featured an assortment of whimsical light-up orbs and gold-lined white plaster bowls illuminated with tea lights, all handmade, in addition to large fresh ferns that were cut from the homestead where Jim’s mother grew up. Our King’s table, arranged and designed by Adorn, was also stunning.”

Weddings Looks

Dress: Rish from Strike Bridal Bar
Menswear: NL Suits
Hair: Nicky Revv (also a bridesmaid and the one who introduced Jim and I)
Makeup: Sarah from Wide Eyed Bride
Rings: Kesslers Diamonds | Miller’s Jewelry (Bozeman, MT) | Dirty Lou (tattoo artist hired to do wedding bands at the wedding)

How many dresses did you try on?
“My dress was the first dress I noticed entering Strike, displayed on a mannequin at the entrance. It was my second appointment, and after being disillusioned with my first due to an oversaturation of tulle, my expectations were neutral at best that I’d find something that felt right. The dress on the mannequin was stunning, but thought I’d just be trying it on for fun. I put it on first to get it out of the way, and then I opened the curtain. The reaction from my crew validated what I thought when I caught my first glimpse in the mirror: this was the one. It took me 15 minutes to take it off, then decided to get through the five other dresses waiting for me behind the curtain. The contrast in reactions made the decision obvious, and as someone who never imagined myself in a wedding dress and not exactly sure what I was looking for, I felt certainty.”

Ceremony Details

Location: Turner Hall Ballroom
Photography: Roost Photography
Photo stops: The Trade Hotel | Turner Hall Ballroom
Videography: “We bought vintage camcorders and had designated friends pass them around throughout the day/night so our day was documented through the eyes of our family and friends. Laura is a filmmaker and will be editing the wedding video using that footage along with other media elements from the day.”

“The best part of our ceremony is how it reflected who we are, individually and as a couple, so perfectly. Our dear friend from Washington, DC was our officiant, and delivered the most personalized ceremony. A couple unique things he did was acknowledge each person in our wedding party and their place in our lives, we had a friend read a passage from bell hooks’ book, “all about love”, we wrote our own vows that were recited by our officiant so all we had to do was say “I do” (to help mitigate the tears), and especially the carefully chosen songs our family, wedding party, Jim, and I each walked out to for the processional (string quartet versions of songs that were meaningful to our parents and us). I walked out to a string version of one of our favorite songs (“Don’t Wait” by Mapei), then played the original version as the recessional.”

Ceremony Decor
“Jim’s parents created the centerpieces of the ceremony– the wooden arch we stood in front of, macrame tapestry, tall plaster cylinders holding lush fern fronds– while our friends assisted with a lot of the details– like the roses placed on the chair reserved for my father who passed away in 2018, the candles, a memory table in honor of my Dad, etc. We stood in front of the large cathedral-style windows in the Turner Hall, under the string lights and it all came together so organically and with love.”

Reception Details

Location: Turner Hall Ballroom
Food and Dessert: Turning Tables MKE | Purple Door Ice Cream

“Not only could we do everything in one location–ceremony, cocktail hour, reception–which was ideal, it also is a nostalgic touchstone in both of our lives. I went to college in Milwaukee and spent many nights attending concerts at Turner Hall, and so much of Jim and I’s relationship is rooted in music. It didn’t hurt that it’s centrally located with so many hotel options nearby and after-party options right across the street in the Deer District.”

Music & Entertainment: RC Productions
First Dance Song: Sunny by Bobby Heeb

“Two favorite details/spectacles of the reception was the flash tattoo artists and the live painting done by Brad Geers, creating the most beautiful snapshot of our ceremony. The tattoo artists never had a break from the time they started after dinner–over 40 of our friends and family got a flash tattoo that night. Way more than we were expecting.”

Looking Back

Biggest Wedding Splurge: The venue/bar package

Which vendor impressed you the most? Brad Geers, our tattoo artists, Heather Farr (best coordinator ever). Everyone we hired exceeded expectations.

Three Words that Described the Day: Colorful, jovial, interactive

What moment sticks with you the most?
“Sneaking away to the upstairs balcony in between dinner and our first dance to get our rings tattood. We hired a separate tattoo artist just for our rings, and it got to be a special, private moment in the midst of the chaos. It slowed things down and turned out to be a beautiful photo op as the golden hour light came through the windows.”

What tips or advice would you share with future couples?
“Start by identifying the things–even if they’re small details–that mean the most to you as a couple. One detail we decided on comically early was having an inflatable tube man turn on when the dancing started (when his arms go up, yours do too). It was a small thing that made us laugh. The small, personalized, random-at-the-time details were the things that radiated out, making the bigger decisions a lot easier. Also, hire at least a day-of wedding coordinator. Save yourself the stress. And trust things will fall into place. You’re investing in a day that is for you as a couple, don’t let anyone interrupt that.”

Wisconsin Wedding Vendors:

Wedding Vendor Service Website Instagram
Wedding Shows Attended WEDMKE | Bridal & Wedding Expo @wedmke | @bridalexpochicago
Wedding Consultant Heather Farr Events @heatherfarrevents
Invitations Minted @minted
Florist Pao Garden @paogarden21
Gown Rish from Strike Bridal Bar @strikebridalbar
Menswear NL Suits @nl_suits
Hair Stylist Nicky Revv @nickyrevstylist
Makeup Artist Wide Eyed Bride (Sarah) @wideeyedbrides
Rings Engagement Ring: Kessler Diamonds
Groom’s Ring: Miller’s Jewelry (Bozeman, MT)
Wedding Bands: Dirty Lou (tattoo artist hired to be at wedding)		 @kesslersdiamonds | @eldirtylou
Ceremony Turner Hall Ballroom @turnerhallballroomweddings
Photographer Roost Photography @roostmke
Reception & Bartending Turner Hall Ballroom @turnerhallballroomweddings
Catering Turning Tables MKE @turningtablesmke
Dessert Purple Door Ice Cream @purple.door
Music/Entertainment Vendor RC Productions @rcproductionsmke
Rentals Adorn Events Co @adorneventcompany
Rehearsal Dinner Tess
Live Portrait Artist Your Live Wedding Artist: Brad Geers  @yourliveweddingartist
Tattoo Artist (flash tattoos) Black Ink Tattoo @danserafino

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