Van Abel's of Hollandtown Wedding in Brillion Wisconsin// Bradley + Mara

All bride's have an idea of what their wedding is going to be like, even if it's the littlest detail. All photographers have brides they just HAVE to work with. Well for Mara & Brad, Mara knew before she was even engaged that she wanted me as a photographer. How cool? I've known Mara from high school, we had shared a lot of art classes together and always kept in contact through the years after. When it came time for their big day back in our home town of Brillion, Wisconsin, I knew that Mara's artistic side would show, and that it did. It was a gorgeously decorated day filled with so much love and emotion I teared up multiple times throughout the day. First when she surprised her soon-to-be husband Brad with a pin that had his grandparents photo to wear inside of his tux. Seeing Brad's daughter walk down the aisle and then Mara with her dad. There wasn't a dry seat in the ceremony at Trinity Lutheran Church. On our way to 1000 Islands Environmental Center for their bridal photos, we made a pit stop. One that I haven't done as a wedding photographer, but a wonderful and thoughtful idea. We stopped at Brad's grandparents house because of his grandfather's condition he was unable to make it to the wedding. So the wedding came to them. Seeing the impact on how much their family meant to them just made the day so much more personal for them. The wedding reception was celebrated at Van Abel's of Hollandtown. During their dinner, they had put out a donation jar. This wasn't for any honeymoon vacation fund, it was something even more meaningful to them. Over Mara's work career she had the opportunity to meet a wonderful boy named Jonah and any kiss donation went to his fund. They ended the night with a ton of dancing, the two of them shared a sweet first dance together and Brad and his mother surprised guests with a choreographed dance routine that left everyone on their feet. It was truly a special day and I left with a great feeling knowing so many people were touched by the personal actions they took to not only celebrate the love they had for each other but also for their family and friends. Congratulations to you both and many years of wedded bliss.