Meet Liz & Greg.
I just loved planning this wedding with these two. Liz is a trained actress, and has a very impressive resume, and Greg is a director at MSOE. She and Greg live in Milwaukee, WI but their work carries them nationwide depending on the project. We connected so well, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time strategizing and celebrating with them – lots of our times together were full of laughter and giggling and being very comfortable together. As a person, Liz is a breath of fresh air, and she did such a nice job gathering wedding pros who are credible and do a fabulous job – that makes our job as the wedding planner 100x easier! Believe me!
All the photos in this blog were by Anya Kubilus Photography, who we just cannot say enough great things about. Her work speaks for itself, and she’s a joy to work with!
Lakeside First Looks
Liz and Greg were very organized when it came to wedding planning, and being in the thick of the Covid pandemic, they had more time and capacity to pour into wedding planning than other seasons of life. The silver lining, right?! They hired us 3 months before the wedding day, which is typically as close to the wedding day as we go. Our job was to swoop in and make sure that the wedding day coordinating went smoothly, and that we could help tie up all the loose ends. With Liz and Greg, this was a complete honor and joy!
We loved all the first looks on their wedding day. In addition to the first look between the bride and groom, there was also a special first look between Liz and her dad, as well as Liz and her wedding party. We loved each and every one!
Outdoor Ceremony
Since Liz had been in New York for her work, many of her wedding party made the trip from the Big Apple to the Wisconsin Northwoods. Liz’s dear friend, who they lovingly called “her bridesman”, helped round out her joyful, exuberant wedding party, and they were a blast. The day was also a day of remembrance for a beloved friend who was supposed to be part of the wedding ceremony, and that grief was fresh. She was dearly missed.
The accommodations at Chippewa Retreat Resort are extraordinarily beautiful, especially the outdoor spaces. The lakeside ceremony spot was surrounded by tall pine trees, and the peaceful sound of lapping water was the perfect backdrop for a sunny summer wedding day. It was also the perfect backdrop for photos of the wedding party, and the bride and groom!
Liz & Greg chose to have their wedding in Manitowish Waters, WI because her family has cottages on the lakes of the Northwoods. The family history was a big draw, and so was the pure gorgeous-ness of Wisconsin summers in the tall pines! It also meant that the logistics of family spending the night was very similar since their cottages were nearby, though we did set up accommodations for out-of-town guests at The Waters in Minocqua, who provided transportation for those guests.
Reception Spaces, Indoor & Outdoor
Chippewa Retreat Resort was an absolute dream venue. It had all the amenities we could’ve wanted and more. In addition to the lovely lakeside ceremony space, the reception spaces were so fun, including a pool, poolside bar, and the indoor space. Step out on the balcony and you’re right on the water – if you’ve got a boat, you can park your boat right next to the room!
We were so fortunate to have Fawn from Inspired by Nature as the florist. She did such an amazing job honoring the couple’s design choices and hopes and creating such a gorgeous finished product. With the amazing florals, beautiful accommodations at Chippewa Retreat Resort, and lovely decor choices, we are SUPER proud of the reception design. Gorgeous!! This is why it’s so important to hire great vendors who are professional and competent. It always leads to less stress for the team, especially when we’ve worked with these lovely people before.
Liz & Greg's Wedding Vendors
Liz and Greg did a particularly great job choosing vendors who were professional and vetted, and these choices made their wedding day insanely smooth. When you gather this many pros in one space, magic happens. To see each vendor’s website, click on the vendor’s name.
Venue: Chippewa Retreat Resort
Officiant: Pastor Jeff Nelson
Florist: Inspired by Nature
Photography: Anya Kubilus Photography
Hair Stylist: Beyond Twisted Salon
All our love, Liz & Greg.
We hope your first year of marriage has been a complete joy. Thank you for hiring us as your wedding planner – we value you both as people and are thrilled to have crossed paths for such a gorgeous, memorable day!
Love,
Marsha & Team