St. James 1868 Milwaukee Wedding

Abbey and Jeff said “I do” at The Abbey St. James 1868, a breathtaking venue in downtown Milwaukee, WI on June 7, 2024! These two lovebirds met four years ago through mutual friends right after they both moved to Chicago. Their chemistry was instant—they went on their first date just three days later and have been inseparable ever since!

Now, let’s talk about Jeff’s proposal—it was nothing short of epic! Jeff, who’s on the board of a foundation raising money for pediatric cancer, had the perfect cover story for his big moment. He and Abbey have been volunteering together at foundation events for years, so when he mentioned a brunch at the country club in his hometown, Abbey didn’t suspect a thing. But as they strolled along a picturesque path on the golf course, Jeff got down on one knee and popped the question! Abbey said “yes!” (of course!), and to her surprise, both of their families were waiting at the clubhouse to celebrate. Jeff even had a family friend disguised as a golfer hiding in the trees, snapping photos of the entire moment. Talk about thoughtful planning! Abbey described it as a perfect day and the most perfect proposal. Since their families are super close, having everyone there to celebrate was the icing on the cake!

When it came to their wedding day, Abbey and Jeff knew exactly what they wanted. They chose The Abbey St. James 1868 for both their ceremony and reception. This historic gothic-style church, beautifully renovated into a stunning event space, is THE place to be if you’re dreaming of a wedding with a mix of vintage charm and modern luxury. With its magnificent stained-glass windows and sky-high ceilings, this venue was made for jaw-dropping reception photos!

Abbey got ready in the bright, spacious bridal suite, while Jeff suited up in the groom’s suite—a space that screams classic study vibes with its exposed brick and dark, moody walls. The photos we captured in these suites? Simply dreamy!

Before the ceremony, Abbey and Jeff shared an intimate first look and exchanged private vows—a moment just for the two of them to breathe in the excitement of the day ahead. Abbey also shared special first looks with her younger brother and her dad. Her dad, overwhelmed with emotion, couldn’t hold back the tears. Abbey sweetly told him how grateful she was for teaching her to never settle for anything less than extraordinary—a lesson that led her straight to Jeff.

The ceremony was incredibly personal, officiated by a family friend who also stood up at Jeff’s parents’ wedding—talk about full circle! Abbey’s wedding dress was pure elegance, and the best part? It was the very first one she tried on! She walked down the aisle carrying pieces of her mother’s dress, Jeff’s mother’s dress, a pendant from her grandmother, and a ring passed down through Jeff’s family—such meaningful details!

After the ceremony, Abbey and Jeff made not one, but TWO grand entrances! They first made their debut at the cocktail hour through the iconic giant red door of St. James, and then again into the reception space with their entire wedding party all at once. I’ve been seeing this trend more and more, and let me tell you—it’s an energy booster like no other! The whole place was buzzing with excitement!

Throughout the day, it was clear how close Abbey and Jeff are to their families—and how close their families are to each other. They even spent Thanksgiving together! Their wedding felt like one big, joyful family reunion, filled with so much love and warmth. I felt incredibly honored to be a part of their special day, especially since Abbey’s family is close with my in-laws—it truly felt like I was celebrating with friends!

Abbey and Jeff, thank you from the bottom of my heart for choosing me as your wedding photographer. You two are such a beautiful couple, inside and out, and I can’t wait to see all the wonderful things life has in store for you! Big hugs!