We know you love pouring over oodles of swoon-worthy photos, so here to deliver your next batch of pin-worthy images is Paper Antler, who had the pleasure of shooting Hollis + Nick’s Madison, Wisconsin wedding.
Love the way Hollis keeps it real when describing her wedding (we’re sure you’ll all be able to relate): “As for a theme, it was kind of a hodge podge of sorts. In fact, “the theme” question kind of haunted me for the entire year leading up to the wedding because I never really had a theme, but felt like I should. The main things that were important to us were for it to be “Madison”, classy but laid back, with a bit of handmade/thrifted charm – so really all over the board. In the end we just chose every detail based on things Nick and I love.”
The bridesmaid dresses were all made from scratch by my best friend, Kara Opfer. I picked out the fabric at Hancock Fabrics and she gave me a sketch based on what I told her I wanted, and then fitted each of the 5 bridesmaids, including herself! I feel so special to have such a creative friend!
The venue really fit our “theme” of feeling like an authentic Madison location with the charm that we were looking for. At first, we really struggled to find the perfect place for our reception because there weren’t many great places that held 200 people. But we knew the second we walked in the University Club doors that we had found the charm we were looking for.
Instead of a “guest book”, we collected vintage postcards from Ebay and local card shops. When guests finished writing their memories and advice on the cards they placed them in the cute little mailbox we picked up at our favorite local thrift shop.
Looking for an eco-friendly favor to give your guests? How about these heart-shaped birdseed favors that Hollis + Nick had hanging from steel branches!
We had half of the vases (Johnson Dairy bottles from Nick’s Great grandparents dairy farm where his parents still live today) given to us by family members. The other medicinal bottles, vintage decanters and vases were picked up at local thrift stores (about $1/each).
And, their first dance song? You and Me by Dave Matthews Band.
Listen to it here:
We loved our exit! After I changed out of my dress and into the one above, from Anthropologie, everyone lined up on the steps of the venue and made a sparkler tunnel. We kept walking up State Street (the place to go when you visit Madison), toward the capital. The two of us sat on a bench talking and reminiscing about how perfect our night was and moseyed on over to our fancy, historical hotel, Mansion Hill Inn, that we booked using JetSetter! It was the perfect ending to the perfect day.
Congrats Hollis + Nick!
As a side note: Jonny + Michelle of Paper Antler recently announced a project they will be embarking on beginning in January, with the ultimate goal of using wedding photography to aid human trafficking victims. The goal is to: photograph 50 weddings, in 50 states, within 50 weeks, donating $1,000 per wedding for a total donation of $50,000. All of the info your heart can handle can be found here.
Photography: Paper Antler / Florist: Daffodil Parker / Coordinator: Rachel Tatge with Top Shelf Weddings / DJ: Savarino Parisi / Videographer: Turner Hall / Cupcakes: Daisy Café and Cupcakery / Printer: Alpha Graphics / Ceremony Venue: Allen Centennial Gardens /Reception Venue: University Club / Bride’s dress: Watters / Bride’s shoes: TOMS / Jewelry: sister-in-laws earrings that she wore for her wedding last summer, and my sister’s simple pearl drop necklace that she had been wearing that day / Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Kara Opfer / Bridesmaid’s jewelry: Francesca’s Collections / Bridemaid’s shoes: Steve Madden / Grooms suit: Ben Sherman / Grooms vest: John Varvatos / Grooms shoes: Vintage Allen Edmonds / Groom and Groomsmen ties: Nordstrom Rack / Groomsmen pants: Banana Republic
