Jennifer & Derek | Milwaukee Wedding Photographer at The Cathedral and The Grain Exchange

Jennifer & Derek’s wedding day was a mix of elegance and party, haute couture and ’80s sunglasses, snow and sunshine. That’s right, snow and sunshine took turns on their April wedding day and they loved every minute of it. They met through mutual friends but they cheer for different college basketball teams; they love great meals at great restaurants or (as the Best man’s toast informed me) Derek would be just happy with candy for dinner. Simply put, Jennifer and Derek are my kind of people – smart, funny, beautiful and totally happy in any situation be it high culture or low as long as their best friend and now spouse is there with them.

Jennifer & Derek hosted their wedding at some of my favorite venues in the city, ending the night at The Grain Exchange, a gorgeous ballroom capped by a soaring bell tower and gilded in murals and gold leaf. Jennifer’s vintage-inspired dress and hairpiece set her perfectly in the era of the Grain Exchange and Derek handsomely escorted her throughout the day – from the magnificently restored Cathedral of St John to the lakefront and back again downtown. Sunset happened behind a cloud but we made our own magic in the soaring atrium of the newly restored Hilton Garden Inn across the street from the reception. There a huge cast iron staircase capped with marble spirals up through the center of the hotel and allowed me to capture a few quiet, private moments between Jennifer & Derek. And then back again they went to the glitz and glamour of their beautiful reception where their guests munched on Garrett’s popcorn and danced the night away.