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Well Worth the Wait  //   Josh Ayala & Mattheis Carley

October 5  //  Engaged 10.9.17  //  Mercantile Hall, Burlington

Mattheis and Josh were introduced in 2014 through their good friend Jack D. We started a pen pal relationship for a year, then finally decided to meet in the summer of 2015. We dated for two years, realized we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together, and were engaged in 2017 on a trip to Austria.

It took us seven years to say two words, “I Do.” You can say we were in no rush to tie the knot, and our wedding was well worth the wait. It was everything we dreamed of, and more. One hundred of our family and friends traveled from nine states to celebrate the best weekend of our lives. One of our friends even made the trek in from New Zealand, winning the furthest traveled award. Photographer: Ashley Durham Photography

15 Years in the Making  //   Ames & Desiree Barker

October 19  //  Engaged 4.10.22  //  Baraboo Arts Center, Baraboo

It was the most wonderfully queer day with those we love. It was the perfect culmination of our 15-year journey. We most certainly experienced what it means to feel the purest version of love and happiness. And we believe our friends and family shared in this feeling through our expression of emotion and the personal details present at our event. Photographer: Melanie Renee Photography

Tears of Joy  //   Daniel & Michael Lynn

October 19  //  Engaged 8.13.22  //  The Tinsmith, Madison

After 12 years together, it was a perfect, sunny day in October when we finally walked down the aisle to say “I do” surrounded by our friends and family. Our two pups, Penny and Frankie, were able to join us for some of our favorite photos of the day. We wrote our vows personally and there wasn’t a dry eye in the room as the ceremony ended. After the ceremony, we ran off for photos in the Arboretum to capture the beautiful fall colors before returning to The Tinsmith to dance the night away. Photographer: Dutcher Photography

A Fairytale Wedding  //   Jada & Maria Carter

October 26  //  Engaged 6.22.23  //  Milwaukee

We originally eloped in Denver back on June 23, 2023. We wanted to do something private and romantic for just us but planned a big wedding for our friends and family. It was a beautiful day. Our daughter walked our mothers down the aisle, and our four boys walked each of us down the aisle (two with each of us). It was like a true fairytale.

What made it even more special was that one of our moms officiated our wedding. There were many tears, laughs, and smiles. We included an excerpt about when gay marriage was legalized and how it came about. It was so touching, and we felt even more grateful to be joined in a legal union. We highly suggest eloping and then planning a big party! It’s way less stressful. Photographer: Anais Photography

Love on the Farm  //   Sydney Cain & Maddie Rubrich

November 9  //  Engaged 10.8.22  //  The Fields Reserve, Stoughton

Our second date was at Trienen Farms. We dated for a year and had some adventures before eventually returning to the farm to get engaged.

Our wedding was a beautiful day, bringing our families together to celebrate our love at another farm in two pretty barns. We had a large wedding party: All of our best friends and siblings were our bridesmaids. There were 14 of us in total, and there were 60 people that attended the wedding. Photographer: Melanie Renee Photography