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The Time Seemed Right   //   Andre Glass & Ron Gratz 

September 4  //  Engaged December 31, 2018  //  Orchard Lawn, Mineral Point

We both moved to Madison in 2013. We met on a dating app, and in the Fall of 2014, we moved in together. On New Years Eve, 2018, after a pickleball tournament at Hitter’s Sports Plex, Ron popped the question. We were never in a hurry to get married but knew that it would happen when the time seemed right.

 The rehearsal party was at Ron’s dad’s place in Mineral Point. It was the first time most of our family met, and they got along great. Our unification piece was a painting that we painted at the rehearsal party using volleyball, tennis balls, baseballs, and golf balls. Sports are pretty big in our lives, so Andre had the idea of creating a masterpiece using each of our favorite sports. 

We were overwhelmed by the support, love, and excitement from our friends and family. The speeches at the ceremony were amazing and represented to both of us how much love we have from those closest in our lives—I really wish everyone could have heard the speech from Andre’s grandma. Our venue was the Gundry House at Orchard Lawn in Ron’s hometown. The house was a mansion when it was built in 1868 and made an absolutely beautiful setting. Our hostess from Orchard Lawn, Noreen Doney, was absolutely amazing in every way! Photographer: Kelsey Siegel

All the Small Things   //   Jess & Zoe Whorrall 

September 10  //  Engaged November 3, 2019  //  Nourish Farms, Sheboygan

After all of the preparation and hoopla surrounding our special day, my wife and I later concluded that our favorite part of the event was sitting outside, just enjoying each other’s company, while our family and friends decorated our beautiful space. Altogether we have 7 people who we consider parents, and we were able to involve them all in some special way. We are so grateful to friends and family who attended from near and far. Photographer: Paisley Raye Rose Photography

Joy & Happiness   //   Andrew Goldsby & Jeremy Pagel 

September 21  //  Engaged June 9, 2021  //  Our Home—Queer Acres, Madison

We didn’t plan on a September wedding, but life does not always go as planned. We executed our wedding in 2 ½ weeks. It was the best day of our lives; memories of that day filled our hearts with joy and happiness. We drew strength from them as we traversed the tough times ahead.

We thought we would be spending the summer planning our wedding, however, Jeremy’s health abruptly declined. As weeks turned to months, countless tests and doctor visits finally determined that Jeremy had septicemia that damaged his mitral valve beyond repair requiring imminent open-heart surgery. Through the help of family, friends, and some wonderful community members, our wedding happened on the eve of the Autumn Equinox in our backyard on Madison’s far east side, surrounded by love. Photographer: Astoria Goldsby

It Don’t Get No Better   //   Aaron Glanz & Nichollis Wall 

September 23  //  Engaged September 19, 2022  //  Runway Dog Park, Oak Creek

It was an easy answer when Aaron asked if I’d like to get married at the dog park with all four of our fur babies attending! This has been the simplest, purest moment in our lives together: Our loved ones supporting us by showing out on a glum, grey day to brighten it up in support of our love and queer energy. 

Just being there with the dogs felt normal, to throw a wedding on top of it felt even more normal for us. Our vows included sentiments of our passed grandparents including the watering of a propagation from our grandmother’s hindu vine, an upholstered bench & the jingling of tootsie pops in the air. It was a very intimate, special-but-normal moment, and we will cherish it always, as well as those who shared the moment with us. So much love, happiness, and hugs—it don’t get no better! Photographer: GM.Creative (Glenda Mitchell)