Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Full PDF

Stress Free // Michael Braatz & Willian Cano Hernandez

December 1  //  Engaged 11.8.24  //  Wisconsin State Capitol

Will & Michael met at Five Nightclub. Michael had just finished performing in a show and saw Will at the bar. They made eye contact, and Michael wrote his number on a napkin, handed it to Will, then left without saying a word. Will texted Michael a couple days later, and Michael proposed to Will almost two years later on the stage at Five Nightclub, shortly after the election.

We had a small informal wedding at the State Capitol. It was stress-free and simple, surrounded by close family and friends followed by plenty of celebration. After the ceremony, we gathered at The Rigby pub for food and drinks, continued our celebration by bar hopping around town, and of course ending the night at Five Nightclub. Photographer: Little Dragan Photography

Nothing Short of Magical  //   Bri Andersen & Jenny Witt

December 7  //  Engaged 9.24.24  //  Gates of Heaven, Madison

September was a dream for us. We took a road trip to Maine and got engaged in Acadia. Come November 6, reality set in as the election results came in. With the fear of possibly not being able to get married in a year or so, we decided against our larger dream wedding to have a mini-wedding in December. That day, we planned almost our entire wedding (including buying rings, a suit, and booking the venue).

Even though it was all arranged in such a short period of time, our wedding day was nothing short of magical. We got married with 10 of our closest family and friends at the Gates of Heaven in Madison, followed by dinner at The Harvey House’s train car. We laughed (and cried), and even though we had only been fiancés for a few weeks, being wives felt so right.

Photographer: Melanie Renee Photography

Island of Love  //   Kalea Bicoy & Isabel Vreeke

December 8  //  Engaged August 12, 2023  //  The Tinsmith, Madison

We met in high school (Isabel’s junior year and Kalea’s sophomore) when we both were cast in the school musical. Every year we’ve been together we have taken a trip to Washington Island in Door County. Isabel’s favorite spot on the island is the Stavkirke church. Isabel had grown up kind of wanting to get married there, but unfortunately you have to have a Christian-forward ceremony with the local ELCA pastor. It wasn’t going to work to do the ceremony there, but since Kalea knew it was such a special spot to Isabel, she picked this as the proposal spot.

We got to the island for our seven-year anniversary and stopped by the church. Lucky for us, we were the only visitors. Kalea proposed with a ring she hand-designed from Bernie’s Rock Shop. Isabel had a small inkling the proposal might happen on the trip and came prepared with her own ring she had found at a local store in our hometown—and proposed right back to her! It was really lovely because then we had a whole week on the island to celebrate being engaged, just the two of us.

Isabel’s best friend of 20+ years, Rachel Seizer, was our only wedding party member and worked with Felly’s Flowers to select flowers that were in season. She put together every floral element besides corsages and boutonnieres. This isn’t something she does for a living or even really has tried much before, she just really had a passion for it—and really knocked it out of the park! Photographer: Heidi Hodges

Submitted in 2024, but Married in 2023

Sunshine of Love  //   Carly & Jessica Graverson

June 17  //  Engaged June 5, 2021  //  1841 Farms & Vineyard, Burlington

We learned just how much love surrounds us—not only from our families and wedding party, but truly from an entire community that rallied around us and our love. Getting married during Pride Month, with a queer officiant, was very important to us. Not only was our marriage a symbol of our love for each other, but we made sure it was a celebration of all the queer folks who have even made our union possible. As our officiant so eloquently stated, “It is our responsibility to ensure that love like this is seen and celebrated in the way it deserves. We are standing in the beautiful sunshine today—we’re not allowing queer love to stay confined to the shadows.” Photographer: C. Mae Photography

A Dog Day  //   Cassidy & Kelsey Campbell

November 12  //  Engaged April 28, 2022  //  Mercantile Hall, Burlington

We got to have our dog with us throughout the whole day! It was so fun and special to have him there with us. We also shared personal notes that were arguably even more heartfelt and personal than our vows. We did this privately right after our first look before the ceremony. It was so special and emotional! Photographer: C. Mae Photography