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Cowboy v. Ren Faire  // Devon & Moss DeWitt

January 9  //  Engaged 11.24.24  //  The Tinsmith, Madison

We had a wonderful elopement ceremony! It was part of a donated LGBTQ+ elopements program. Our wedding was cowboy (because we became pardners)/renaissance faire themed, and our guests had a lot of fun with their outfits. Friends from music school played a beautiful quartet for our ceremony. We especially like that we did a handfasting, that was a very cool part of the ceremony. Photographer: Anya Kubilus

Handfasting & Parachutes // Avery & Silas Ray Dhonemai

April 13  //  Engaged 1.18.24  //  twelve29, Lannon

We had a celtic handfasting ceremony followed by themed mocktails, pizza, and ice cream. Our celebration was full of light, colors, and laughter. Our senior dog Maia stole the show before lots of dancing, and a surprise appearance from a parachute over the dance floor! Photographer: Jill Emmer

Tending Our Love // Noel P. & Taylor Haven

January 18  //  Engaged 10.26.24  //  The Green Room, Milwaukee

For our unity ritual, we potted a plant in soil gathered from places of significance to us (homes we’ve lived in, our church, our favorite spots). We watered the plant as a promise to always tend to and care for our love. Our loved ones also watered the plant as a commitment to nurture our love as well. Today we continue to water the plant and watch it grow, just like our marriage. Photographers: Shaan Lashun (ceremony), Taylor Haven (outdoor photographs)

Four Boobs are Better // Amelia & Hanna Benkson

March 29  //  Engaged 10.29.23  //  Goodman Community Center, Madison

We rented out the upstairs of The Rigby and threw a joint bachelorette party the Thursday before our wedding. We invited all of our friends and had so many come from out of town a few days early. We decorated with scissor balloons and had a cake that said, “Four boobs are better than two” that we served on boob-shaped plates. One of our friends brought goodie bags with scissors and temporary tattoos of our cats. It was so great to be able to have that extra time with our out-of-town friends on such a busy weekend. Photographer: Anya Kubilus

Chaos to Dreams // Michelle Kuyoth & James Van Abel

April 26  //  Engaged 4.14.23  //  Olbrich Gardens, Madison

The day ended up better than we could have dreamed! We did everything we could to make sure that the wedding was very fun and very us. With a Tetris guest “book,” pride-themed welcome mirror, Playbill wedding programs, and other little crafty bits, we had even the little details reflect how nerdy (and over-the-top) we are. And our wedding party matched that energy, having planned a surprise group dance at the reception.

The weeks leading up to the wedding were absolute chaos—a mix of anxiety, procrastinated wedding projects, and James ending up in the ER less than two weeks to the ceremony. But from the moment of our first look, we knew everything would be okay.

We will forever cherish the memories of our wedding, the love we showed for each other, and the love we felt from our community. Photographer: Dutcher Photography