The Peters' Lakeside Resort Wedding || A classic, golden Friday wedding in southeastern Wisconsin.
Summer and JP celebrated their nuptials with their friends and family on the shore of Lake Delavan at Lake Lawn Resort. The day started slowly, leading to a golden-hour ceremony and a white-tent reception. Filled with a mix of personal details and classic elements, it was a wedding that I'll remember forever.
The Bits and Pieces || Some of the details that added to the feel of the day.
Summer curated a personal and beautiful assortment of details. From her ceremony heels to the ballet slippers for the reception, her statement pearl collar necklace to her green emerald engagement ring, her lace-trimmed veil to her custom Tesoro Si gown: everything fit perfectly.
Getting Ready at the Resort || Time with her girls during her last unmarried hours.
There's something that always resonates with me about time spent getting ready on a wedding day. Especially for the girls. There's a whirl of perfumes and lip glosses and brushes and shoes and notes and phones, but there's always a constant: the knowing smiles. The little glances from the women that love the bride most that say "this is it". I love this sacred time, filled with giggles and selfies and finishing touches. And Summer's time with her girls was no exception.
Some Formal Portraits with the Guys || An hour for the groom and his guys to shine.
While Summer finished getting ready, I went over to 1878 on the Lake, the onsite bar at the resort. There, I met JP and his groomsmen for some formal portraits that started at the bar and then moved into the courtyard. Nothing fancy, just classic and well-styled portraits. And a few hearty laughs as we got the nerves out.
The Girls' Formal Portraits || Summer's bridal portraits and formals with her girls.
After wrapping up with the guys portraits before the ceremony, it was onto the girls. We started with just Summer, walking around the grounds of the resort and finding little pockets of light and shade. Then, we went back to the courtyard outside of their room to take some photos of all the girls together.
A Lakeside Evening Ceremony || Saying their vows beside shades of blue and gold.
A clear evening in September, the sun had just started to enter golden hour at the beginning of Summer and JP's ceremony. Everyone showed up and took their seats facing the lake while the wedding party completed their final head count in the lodge. The procession went off without a hitch, with JP walking down alongside his and Summer's beloved pup followed by Summer being escorted by her father. Partway down the aisle, Summer's stepfather joined the two of them to finish the walk to the end. The ceremony was bathed in golden sunlight while prose was shared by their officiant with wise words of Christ's love. Sealing it with a kiss, the two departed back to the gardens while the rest of their guests cheered, smiled, and wiped away happy tears.
Friends and Family || Some final formal portraits as cocktail hour began.
Immediately after the ceremony, we transitioned to some formal family portraits and the final wedding party photos that the couple wanted. Everyone was awash with excited energy as we moved quickly through the portraits to get them onto cocktail hour.
The Bridal Portraits || Summer and JP's classic portraits in the garden and the lake.
Summer had mentioned to me prior to their wedding the importance of bridal portraits during golden hour on their wedding day. Lake Delavan has significant sentimental value to the couple and they wanted to commemorate that with portraits both at the resort and on the lake in a Chris Craft. As the sun dipped below the horizon, I guided the couple through a mix of formal and prompted poses while they continually got lost in each other eyes. It was pure magic and an absolute joy to photograph.
Onto the Reception || Dinner and speeches beneath a soaring white tent.
Retiring beneath the canvas tent from Luna Party Rentals, Summer and JP settled in with their guests for dinner and toasts. One of my favorite details of the evening was that Summer had gathered the first dance song of every married couple at the wedding and their DJ, Moving 'n Grooving out of the Chicago area, played each song one-by-one during the reception. Couples were then invited to share a dance on the dance floor to their respective song, which was loved and appreciated by every couple that participated.
A Party for the Ages || Dancing, wine, cigars, and love.
Summer and JP kicked off their dance party with their first dance before Summer disappeared briefly to put on her party dress made from her mom's wedding dress. And what a party it was. The dance floor was packed all night as gentle waves lapped the shore in the near distance and moonlight covered the lawn. The cigar bar was a fan favorite and the wine and beer flowed freely. It was truly the kind of celebration of love that makes you take a step back and appreciate the moment that you're in. To the Peters: thank you for letting me document this day and experience this incredible wedding with you two. Cheers to the Peters, forever.
