Waupaca Wedding at Danes Hall

A chic, unconventional, vintage-style Wisconsin wedding

How They Met

Ashley spotted Will in a local coffee shop a number of times and always thought he was super cute. He had blonde dreadlocks and an epic red beard and she really wanted a reason to talk to him. Ashley is a freelance pinup model and heard Will makes pins, so she asked him if he would be able to make some with her photos. They continued to chat online, and after a while, she finally invited him to a friend’s house. They simply couldn’t get enough of each other.

The Engagement

Ashley proposed to Will on their son Odin’s second birthday. She set up her phone to record the whole thing. When their son was done opening his presents, Ashley handed him a small box to give to Will “for being the best daddy ever.” When he opened the box, Ashley got down on one knee and popped the question.

The Dress

Ashley found her dream wedding dress, an authentic 1950s gown, from Velvet Pin Vintage, an Etsy shop. She had it altered at Victorian Bridal in Waupaca, where the seamstresses added a lace-up back.

The Ceremony

Ashley and Will’s ceremony and reception were held at Danes Hall in Waupaca. It had the vintage vibe they were going for. Ashley and Will wanted their ceremony music to be very “them” and took a long time picking each song. The bridal party walked down the aisle to “Baby I’m Yours” by Arctic Monkeys, one of Ashley’s favorite bands since high school. Ashley walked down the aisle to “Sweet Dreams, TN” by The Last Shadow Puppets, which was her song to Will since they started seeing each other. For their recessional song, they wanted something that signified it was time to start celebrating and having fun, so they chose “You Make My Dreams Come True” by Hall & Oates.

Odin, their son, stood up as Will’s best man. He walked the maid of honor, who is also his godmother, down the aisle. Ashley and Will’s vows were more perfect than they could have imagined. Ashley cried while reading hers and Will teared up during his. The special moment shared in front of everyone they loved made all the stress of wedding planning totally worth it.

The Reception

During the reception, the DJ asked everyone to make their way to the dance floor and form a circle around the newlyweds. He then played a montage he had secretly made of all the dinner speeches, which was a touching experience.

There was also a photobooth at the reception, which every guest loved. The couple and their loved ones took tons of silly photos that show the fun and lightheartedness of the day.

Ashley and Will hired their favorite local band, Ho Malone, to play at their reception. They just so happen to be good friends with all the band members, and were even the stars in one of their music videos for a love song! When the song played, Ashley and Will shared a slow dance.

The Food and Drinks

Ashley and Will hired Sulten Belly as their wedding food caterer. Guests were served caprese open-faced sandwiches, fresh strawberry salads, and prime rib sandwiches — dishes that are both fancy and cool and perfect for a warm summer day

The Couple’s Favorite Moments

While many parts of the day of their dreams were incredible, reading their personal vows out loud to each other was among Ashley and Will’s standout moments. Leading up to the wedding, Ashley was the most nervous about standing in front of so many people and speaking into a microphone. “My heart was pounding as I waited in the hall for my cue to start walking down the aisle, but as soon as I came around the corner and found Will’s eyes waiting for me, he was all I could see and everyone else just faded away,” Ashley says. Sharing their vows in front of their family and friends made them feel all the more meaningful.

The Bride’s Words of Wisdom

“If there is anything you can do to make your wedding morning run smoother, do it. Order a takeout breakfast buffet for you and your bridal party, splurge on having your hair and makeup done professionally so you don’t have to have any mishaps doing it yourself and can just relax and know it will be done right,” Ashley suggests. “Remember your wedding day is supposed to be fun so don’t let stress get the best of you!”