Summer Wedding at Heritage Hill State Historic Park

Beautiful Summer Wedding at Heritage Hill

How They Met

When Sam and Lili first met through mutual friends, they spent plenty of time chatting over text, although it was “nothing serious.” One evening, Sam was on her way back to college from winter break, but a bad winter storm hit, and her little car wasn’t going to make it through all the snow. She reached out to one of her friends, who not only was also on the way back to campus but also lived in the town next to Lili’s. Her friend’s family let Sam stay the weekend until the weather cleared up, and since she was close by, she reached out to Lili. The two ended up going on three dates in a row.

The Engagement

One early October day, when the fall colors were stunning, Lili had set up a photo shoot with two of the couple’s best friends, including photographer Green Bay-based photographer Hailee Jepson. She even asked Sam’s aunt and uncle for permission to have the photos taken on their beautiful farmland. As they were having their photos taken, Sam turned around for a moment, and when she was back facing her girlfriend, Lili was down on one knee asking Sam to marry her. “The whole night before, I kept joking with Lili about how funny it would be if you proposed,” Sam shared. “I had a hunch because my other friend asked me to get my nails done a week before.”

The Dress

Sam found her dress at Tiffani’s Bridal in Appleton.  “Loved everyone there! So kind, and a really good selection!”

The Ceremony

Sam and Lili got married on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at Heritage Hill State Historic Park in Green Bay. They described the vibe of their wedding as “meadow picnic meets starry night in a barn.” The ceremony was held at the gazebo, with just the couple tying the knot in front of all their loved ones. Their officiant was one of Lili’s long-time friends and mentor. During his incredible speech, he made references to “How I Met Your Mother,” one of the couple’s favorite shows to watch together.

The Photos

A. Lentz Photography captured the day beautifully, all without having to leave the grounds.  The couple says “the big selling point of Heritage Hill was that we didn’t have to leave! The backdrops of the old buildings were perfect.”

The Decor

The party continued at Heritage Hill, under a massive 60-by-100-foot tent from Elite Tent Rentals next to the gazebo. Elegant globe lights were strung along the wood posts with white linen. The farm-style wooden tables were adorned with wildflowers from BloomHouse 23 and golden candlesticks and other décor from Ruby Design Event Rentals. The newlyweds happily look back on sitting down to eat dinner and seeing their families mingling and having a wonderful time celebrating their love. The venue’s Director of Sales and Private Events, Diana, ensured every part of their special day was nothing short of perfect.

The Food and Drinks

“We wanted food we loved and not just a fancy dinner,” the couple explained. Guests feasted on pulled pork and beef sandwiches, along with various side dishes—all catered by Biebel’s Catering & Rental. Since a big wedding cake would have been pretty heavy on a hot summer day, guests indulged in a medley of small desserts. The signature cocktails included a Bloody Mary and an old-fashioned.

The Reception

After Sam and Lili shared their first dance to “The Way I Love You” by Michal Leah, they had an absolute blast dancing with all of their guests on the dance-floor all night long, thanks to Tommy Z’s Wedding DJs.  When it became dark outside, and the reception was in full swing, Sam and Lili stood off to the side of the tent, just the two of them, and held hands. The lights at the top of the tent, along with the candles on the table and the stars projected on the ceiling, were perfect. “We felt so much love that day, so getting to step back and appreciate it all was really special.”

The Honeymoon

Sam and Lili celebrated their newlywed bliss on a cruise out of Florida. When they returned to shore, they stayed in a family timeshare for a week.

Advice from the Couple

Take one step at a time, don’t jump in, and try to plan everything at once. You will get overwhelmed and it will ruin the planning process for you. Also, don’t settle.
If you don’t feel like a vendor is the one, move on to the next one. This is your day, make it one you truly will love.
It’s your guys’ day – not anyone else