Emily and Lydell's Country Romantic Wedding at Van Abel's

This is the story of Emily from Hilbert and Lydell from Algoma, a pair of Wisconsin country lovebirds. The two met in Hilbert at a place called Scotty’s and started dating a few months later. By Christmas of that same year, Lydell gifted Emily a promise ring — he knew even then that she was the one for him.

Fast forward to another holiday season: Thanksgiving at Emily’s parents’ house. “After Thanksgiving dinner, we all were going through Black Friday ads,” Emily says. “Lydell’s son, Avery, gave him an ad for engagement rings. We all chuckled a bit.” Later that night, the family went out shopping — something Emily says they rarely do for Black Friday. Lydell took Emily to Zales to try on rings. They were perfect, and he ended up buying the rings that night. “We headed back home, with me knowing there was going to be a proposal someday, sometime,” she says. But Lydell just couldn’t wait; he proposed to Emily that very night.

Emily and Lydell planned a country-romantic wedding with rustic décor, twinkling lights, and soft colors of light pink, ivory, and grey. The ceremony was held at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in De Pere. “It’s such a beautiful church — it’s where we started going when we first started dating.” To decorate the pews, Emily got crafty. “I got vine cones and stuffed them with dried moss, artificial roses, pussy willows, and wheat. These hung off the pews.”

Emily says her favorite part of the ceremony was standing behind the doors with her father and Avery, her step son. “I stopped and simply said ‘Avery, I love you.’ I will never forget those moments.” Emily also chuckles at the memory of her sister trying to straighten her veil at the alter, and instead yanking her head backward. “She pulled a bit too hard. She’s a past rugby player and not one to do things gently or delicately. Gotta love her! I’ll always remember that.”

Before the reception, the party stopped at The Outpost Pub in Sherwood for appetizers and a wine-tasting station. Then it was time to hop back in the ELS limo and head to Van Abel’s of Hollandtown. “Van Abel’s did such a perfect job and made it easy and worry-free. They went above and beyond our expectations!” When Emily and Lydell first stepped into the reception hall, they could hardly believe their eyes. Emily says: “I saw our wedding cake and cupcakes in front of a beautiful twinkling backdrop. The head table had large flower arrangements on each side. The uplighting made everything all the more beautiful. Flower petals were laid delicately all over the hall — at the bar and head, gift, and cake tables. I was stunned!”

“If that wasn’t perfect enough, the food was excellent. We chose roasted chicken and beef tips, and there are still people complimenting us on the food!” For some dinner and post-dinner entertainment, first there was a screen behind the head table, which played a video Emily’s sister had made for the happy couple. Guests also had a blast in the photo booth, from Matt’s DJ Service and Photo Booth. “Everything was the most beautiful vision — our vision! — come to life.”