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Beary Good Time  //   Lou Lindley & Amy Stuhlman-Lindley

June 15  //  Engaged August 18, 2020  //  South Lake Tahoe, California

So many unexpected things happened! Two bears crashed our wedding. We wrote our vows separately, but both mentioned Liberty Mutual commercials in them. We left in a boat, and the driver almost crashed into another boat because it was dark out.

We didn’t focus on trends. We just threw together all of the things we love. Lou does research, so my bridal party bouquets were made out of his research papers. Our seating chart had queer and trans icons instead of numbers. Our sendoff was with kazoos. We had a rainbow shag-rug inspired cake. There were six-foot paper flowers and huge floral pillars. We had adaptogens instead of alcohol, and all of the food was vegetarian. Our friend read an Andrea Gibson poem during the ceremony, and that was really special. Photographer: Luna Munn Photography

With Gratitude  //   Ava Kemppainen & Amanda Prohaska

June 21  //  Engaged December 14, 2022  //  Cafe Hollander, Madison

My wife and I decided to plan this wedding on a whim, and we only spent three months doing it. We ordered some pretty dresses, sent out some last-minute invitations, and found a place where we could celebrate the night with a family meal. My mom’s best friend—and practically a second mother to us—officiated our wedding for us and planned an incredibly intimate hand tying ceremony that left us in tears.

Originally we couldn’t afford a photographer, so we decided to be content not to have professional photos. Luckily, my mom was able to give us a very generous gift, and hired our photographer for us. I look at these photos literally every day and feel so blessed to have such a gorgeous reminder of the most magical night of our lives, and for that I’ll never stop being grateful. Photographer: Melanie Jones

Keeping It Classic  //   Jim Chiolino & Terry Svaglic

June 24  //  Engaged April 09, 2022  //  Edgewater Hotel, Madison

We had a wonderful weekend for our family and very close friends! We had a welcome party at D’Vino which was beautifully prepared. Our wedding and reception were at the top of the Edgewater Hotel with gorgeous views of the Capitol and Lake Mendota.

We had a lovely ceremony with a string quartet, terrific music during dinner by Mike Massey, and a super-fun DJ after that. The food was great and the company was even better! Finally, we had a farewell brunch at our new home on Madison’s east side—before going on a lovely honeymoon to Paris. We packed a lot of fun into June and July! Love our love! Photographer: Steve Noll, Noll Photography

The Show Must Go On  //   Erin Anderson & Kate Miller

June 26  //  Engaged November 29, 2019  //  Madison

In a plot twist, one of the brides, Kate, lands in the hospital at 10 am. Rushing to the ER mid-hair and makeup, we brace for the unknown. An emergency surgery (kidney stones) forces us to make the heart-wrenching call to cancel the wedding. Yes, you read that right: The wedding got canceled! But Erin and the squad decide to pivot.

Frantic calls to vendors follow, with each one agreeing to move the entire wedding to the next day. Kate leaves the hospital at 11 pm on Saturday, and Wedding 2.0 is a go for a Noon ceremony on Sunday. Friends become makeup artists and event coordinators, and the community rallies to make the impossible happen. This wasn’t just a wedding; it was a testament to resilience, love, and the belief that the show must go on, even in the face of chaos. Photographer: Brianna Jane Photography

Life’s Simple Joys  //   Eric Durant & Scott Swickard

July 9  //  Engaged January 1, 2023  //  Pritzlaff 325, Milwaukee

Our wedding in downtown Milwaukee was uniquely ours, marked by whimsical and memorable moments. A highlight was our post-”first look” photo session, where we posed in front of a dumpster in an alley,adding an ironic twist to traditional glamorous shots.

During our ceremony, the traditional flower girl role was joyfully replaced by my two-and-a-half-year-old goddaughter, who marched down the aisle with a lightsaber. Her delightful entrance perfectly symbolized our love for the unconventional, bringing smiles to everyone.

Earlier, in a moment of calm, we were photographed reading the day’s newspapers in our wedding attire, showcasing our appreciation for life’s simple joys. These moments reflect our journey—a blend of spontaneity, humor, and the extraordinary in the ordinary. Photographer: Amy Erickson, Happy Gnome Photography