Emma & Connor's black-tie Milwaukee wedding at the Bradley Symphony Center put a modern twist on tradition with romantic florals, live music, and elegant details.
When Emma and Connor first met at the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater, the timing wasn't quite right. They remained distantly acquainted for a few years, until a mutual friend brought them back together in 2018. From then on, their love grew as they took on life's adventures and challenges together.
Connor stuck to tradition, asking for Emma's father's permission a few months before the proposal. Both immediate families were in on the secret, allowing them to plan a celebration at the Pfister Hotel after Connor popped the question. On March 16, 2024, the families gathered excitedly--right on time--and waited in a private room.
Meanwhile, Emma and Connor ended up running late due to an unforeseen work call. Emma light-heartedly reflected, "We finally arrived 30 minutes late to our own engagement. The lobby was chaos, high school juniors and seniors taking prom pictures, Donald Driver was at the bar we were supposed to go to, and Connor had to pivot! He led me up the staircase, where he stopped halfway up, reached in his pocket, and dropped to a knee."
Emma, of course, said yes! The lobby erupted into cheers, and the couple was soon surrounded by family and partied the rest of the night. They sought to keep the same positive energy on their wedding day, prioritizing food, music, and fun in the planning process.
The couple wanted their theme, attire, and décor to be an authentic reflection of "Emma and Connor." They started with formal wear, requesting guests to dress for a black-tie event, lovingly referring to the theme as "Black Tie Rager."
Emma's dream dress was "Ophelia" from Saint Bridal Couture, an artful, elegant gown with a wrapped bodice that gathered into a handcrafted organza rose at the waist. The strapless, A-line silhouette also featured a graceful skirt with a dramatic front slit.
The ceremony location, Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii, was especially meaningful for Emma and her family. She walked down the aisle, where she had attended school, where her parents had gotten married, and where her grandmother had played the organ for 75 years. They were also able to incorporate a chalice in the ceremony that belongs to Connor's Great Uncle, Bishop Arthur O'Neill.
Tiffany Christina Photography stood behind the lens for the day, capturing both posed portraits and candid moments, while also experimenting with movement and composition. Her mission is to preserve love through heirloom fine art that will last for generations, no matter the chapter of life.
Piccola Salon & Spa created a classic and polished bridal look, starting with a sleek low-updo that was easy to pin on her cathedral-length veil. Emma's makeup was elegant and natural, accentuating her natural beauty with soft brows, long lashes, and subtle pinks on the cheeks and lips.
At the reception venue, Feisty Flowers designed a grand floral stair entrance, with greenery and blooms wrapped around the railing. Other installations included centerpieces at the tables, a floral arrangement at the dessert table, and décor for the ceremony.
The Bradley Symphony Center, home of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, was the perfect reception venue for Emma & Connor's celebration. The venue combines 1930s Art Deco with classic and modern design--think slanted ceilings, grand staircases, marble floors, and abundant natural light.
When it came to printed pieces, the couple agrees Bayview Printing knocked it out of the park. In addition to invitations, table numbers, and hand-sketched save-the-dates, Bayview Printing created a seating chart with 28 of the couples' favorite albums built into it. Emma & Connor are music lovers, so they enjoyed being able to share their favorites with their guests in such a striking way.
At the tablescapes, custom-patterned linens from BBJ La Tavola pulled the design together, with colorful napkins at the reception tables, and a custom tablecloth adorning the dessert table. The couple's wedding cake was a whimsical, single-tier cake from The Baked Lab, complete with artful decoration and a vintage-inspired topper.
After enjoying charcuterie and a delicious dinner from Indulge Catering, guests were treated to custom cocktails and an incredible dessert spread from Sweet Bliss Mariss.
Entertainment was a must for the couple. Between music from DJ Huggies, a live sax musician from ACA Entertainment, and AV production and rentals from DJ Felix Entertainment, the dance floor was packed all night long. Emma wore a second, shorter, bubble-skirt gown for the after-party. Connor also donned a second look for the reception, swapping his black suit jacket for a white one.
Looking back on the wedding planning process, the couple advises, "For anyone who is able, I recommend hiring a wedding planner. Our planner, Lydia from Miriam Events, was a godsend for us. She helped keep us on track while bringing our vision to life."
The year-and-a-half between the proposal and the wedding also afforded time for planning, details, and for enjoying their time as an engaged couple.
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