THE BEGINNING

Alayna and Nick spent about eleven months planning, always circling back to one main goal: make the day feel bright, happy, and full of summer energy. Instead of sticking to a single color palette, they leaned into vibrant, multicolored summer tones that made everything feel playful and welcoming the second guests walked in. Pinterest did most of the heavy lifting on inspiration, with Facebook and Instagram filling in the gaps as their ideas came together.

The Jefferson Street Inn in downtown Wausau quickly became the obvious choice to host the celebration. It checked all the boxes: ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception all in one spot, plus an attached hotel so guests could relax and stay put. Big windows, tons of natural light, high ceilings, and separate getting-ready spaces sealed the deal.
Day-of coordination support from Emily Hase-Raney, Sales & Event Manager at The Jefferson Street Inn, kept everything running smoothly in the background.

WEDDING DAY LOOKS

Bridal Boutique:
Victorian Bridal, Waupaca

Wedding Gown Designer:
“Elizabeth” by Rebecca Ingram for Maggie Sottero.

She tried on twelve dresses before finding the one, and this dress quickly stood out. Once it was on, she didn’t want to take it off—and that was all the confirmation she needed. It made her feel like a princess in the best way.

Bridesmaid Gowns:
Azazie
The dresses paired perfectly with the bright, summer-forward palette.

Menswear:
Amazon and Men’s Wearhouse

Rings:
Olive Ave Jewelry (online) and Zales

Hair Stylist:
Happy Hair by Ashley (Ashley Gagas)

Makeup Artist:
Balancing Touch (Nicole Campos)

To ensure she felt ready for the big day, Alayna had trial runs for both hair and makeup. Together, they helped her feel put-together, relaxed, and ready to walk down the aisle.

THE CEREMONY

The ceremony took place at The Jefferson Street Inn, set in front of a floral arch overflowing with fresh blooms from Lily & Vine of Stevens Point. The arch, surrounded by flowers at the base, created a colorful, summery focal point that pulled the whole space together.

Instead of live musicians, Alayna and Nick created a playlist that ran throughout the ceremony—simple, intentional, and very them. Their friend, Ryan Eigenberger, officiated, adding a familiar face and voice to the moment. A family friend read a Bible verse, weaving in a meaningful nod to their faith and families. Alayna walked down the aisle to “I Get to Love You” by Ruelle, a song that fit the moment and the mood they wanted.

One of the parts of the day that stood out most to them was sharing their vows. Saying those words to each other in front of everyone they love is a memory that’s firmly at the top of the list.

CAPTURING THE DAY

For photography, Alayna and Nick chose Tonisha Nicole Creative (Tonisha Atkins). They loved her editing style from the start, and since she came highly recommended, booking her felt like an easy “yes.”

Tonisha took most of their photos right outside The Jefferson Street Inn on the square in downtown Wausau, using the surrounding city streets and natural light to frame the day. Their wedding party photos mixed sentiment with personality. The groomsmen lined up like football players at the line of scrimmage, ready to snap the ball, while the bridesmaids circled Alayna, laughing and pretending to “fix” little details on the bride. Tonisha kept everything relaxed and fun, and the photos reflect that energy. Alayna and Nick love how she documented the day from start to finish.

THE RECEPTION

The reception stayed at The Jefferson Street Inn, keeping the flow from ceremony to cocktails to dinner and dancing super easy for everyone. The venue’s tall ceilings and big windows let in plenty of light, which made their colorful florals and décor really pop.

Florals were front and center all night. Lily & Vine transformed the floral arch from the ceremony into a statement piece for the reception, and the flower-forward look continued with fresh floral centerpieces on each table. Bud vases, candlesticks tied with ribbon, and colored napkins tied everything into their bright summer theme. Florals were their big splurge, and it showed in the best way.

Jefferson Street Inn handled both catering and bartending, serving a dinner that felt polished and was crowd-pleasing. Guests enjoyed airline chicken with beurre blanc sauce, short rib with demi-glace, garlic herb whipped potatoes, and green beans with red peppers.

DJ Joey Miller kept the music going and the dance floor busy. For their first dance, Alayna and Nick chose “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis—classic, simple, and just right for them.

Some of their favorite reception moments came during the speeches. The best man, maid of honor, and father of the bride all shared stories and well-wishes that had the room laughing, tearing up, and cheering them on.

LOOKING BACK

When they look back, two moments rise to the top: sharing their vows and walking into their reception as husband and wife. Turning the corner and seeing all their family and friends in one room, ready to celebrate them, is something they won’t forget.
They’re especially grateful for their vendors, with a special shoutout to Lily & Vine and Tonisha Nicole Creative. Lily & Vine took Alayna’s dream of a flower-heavy wedding and ran with it, creating the floral arch, bouquets, and centerpieces that defined the day’s look. Tonisha captured it all in a way that feels true to them—colorful, joyful, and full of personality.

ADVICE FROM THE BRIDE & GROOM

Alayna and Nick have one big piece of advice for couples in the middle of planning: this is your day—make it what you want!

It’s easy to get pulled in different directions when opinions start flying, but at the end of the day, your wedding should reflect you and your partner. Choose the colors, music, florals, venue, and details that make you excited. Leaning into what felt like “them”—bright colors, tons of real flowers, a ceremony that felt personal, and a reception that never slowed down—made the day feel completely and confidently their own.