The Planning Process

Twenty months of planning went into a wedding for 123 guests, and Hailey brought an extraordinary level of intention — and hands-on creativity — to every detail. The vision was clear from the start: clean, neutral, and classic, with a color palette of blue, white, and gold that honored the water and landscape they love so much. Hailey had attended enough weddings to know that simplicity done well is always the most striking choice, and she leaned into that philosophy at every turn.

She attended wedding shows in Spring Grove, Illinois, and Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, early in the planning process, and drew heavily from social media to refine her aesthetic. While the couple didn’t hire an official day-of coordinator, Alex Cole from the Kress Pavilion stepped into that role with remarkable dedication — helping plan every aspect of the day, right down to measuring chairs and walkways.

All signage was DIY. The florals — except for Hailey’s bridal bouquet from One Eighty Petals in Fish Creek and bridesmaid bouquets made from flowers purchased at Maas Floral & Greenhouse in Sturgeon Bay — were also entirely DIY. And the tablescapes, which became Hailey’s favorite design element of the whole day, were a labor of love that showed in every detail: tall glass vases, handmade baby’s breath arrangements, mini candles, and hand-painted gold beaded charger plates that Hailey created herself. Each table was named after a different town or attraction in Door County — a personal touch that guests noticed and loved. The seating chart outside was a pair of large wooden arches with white-and-blue painted shelves, labeled “Our Favorite People” and divided by white roses.

Wedding Day Style

Hailey found her dream gown at Brides by Young and customized it to perfectly match her vision. She redesigned the dress by closing the slit, raising the low back, and adding custom sleeves.
“It hit all the key elements I was looking for: square neckline, fit and flare, sleeves.”

Her beauty look was created by Belleza Hair and Makeup, whose team delivered a polished and timeless bridal style.

The groom and groomsmen wore classic navy suits from Men’s Wearhouse, elevated by satin lapel detailing that complemented the refined aesthetic.

A Ceremony with a View

The ceremony was held on the covered porch at the Donald and Carol Kress Pavilion, with sweeping views of the water. The sun shone perfectly. The wind, in true Door County fashion, showed up too — and it only made things feel more authentic.

Hailey DIY’d the ceremony decor entirely. She sourced a pair of arches from Facebook Marketplace, dismantled what the previous bride had built, and rebuilt them from scratch using floral foam and chicken wire to hold what she describes as feeling like a million dollars worth of faux baby’s breath, with a few white roses throughout. Blue satin material at the base of each arch covered the weights, keeping everything grounded — a practical solution that looked intentional and lovely.
She walked down the aisle to an acoustic cover of You’re the Inspiration by Chicago, played by Elite Music Service.

Their pastor from home officiated, and the ceremony included a moment that clearly meant a great deal to both of them: he asked the couple to look out at the crowd and truly take in the room — to see all the people gathered there who loved them and would continue to root for them no matter what came next. They had written their own vows and read them to each other privately during their first look. But one element carried into the ceremony itself: instead of the traditional “I do,” Hailey and Zach said “I will” — a deliberate choice that speaks not to a single moment, but to a lifetime of choosing each other.

Capturing the Day

Tandem Photography captured the celebration with a natural, laid-back approach that perfectly matched the couple’s personalities.

We chose them based on their online profile, their work displayed on social media, and their overall attitude towards wedding photography. I believe on their website, their owner – Cody – said that the worst kind of photos are stuffy and posed wedding photos, and he fostered fun, laid-back vibes and genuine smiles, which is EXACTLY what we were looking for, and exactly what we got!

The venue itself, along with the cherry blossom orchard directly across the street, provided a dreamlike backdrop for portraits.

“My favorite memory was all of my favorite people goofing off in a cherry blossom orchard right before my wedding.”

Videography was provided by NCL Productions, and the couple made one of their best decisions of the reception when they had NCL conduct guest interviews throughout the evening. Looking back, those interviews — guests sharing their own highlights, their laughter, their love for the couple — will be some of the most treasured footage they have.

Reception at the Kress Pavilion

The second-floor reception space at the Kress Pavilion offered floor-to-ceiling windows, abundant natural light, and a wraparound porch overlooking the water.
Everything — getting ready, ceremony, and reception — took place in one location, making the day feel relaxed and seamless.

Guests enjoyed an exceptional dinner from Thyme Catering featuring steak or bruschetta chicken with garlic mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables. Signature cocktails were an old-fashioned for Zach and a cucumber refresher for Hailey. Dessert came from Seaquist Orchards — a Door County institution.

Entertainment was provided by Elite Music Service, whose energy kept the dance floor packed all night long. Hailey and her groom shared their first dance to Make It With You by Bread, setting the tone for an evening filled with music, laughter, and celebration. From that moment on, the dance floor was rarely empty—and according to Hailey, the night ended far too soon.

Looking Back

We feel like we had the most authentic Door County wedding and the most authentic Hailey & Zach wedding. It was lowkey and classic, while feeling very true to us and nostalgic. I keep saying “all my favorite people in my favorite place and that is just so true. If you’re looking for a beautiful place to get married in Door County, the Kress Pavilion is an excellent choice for many reasons!

Advice for Engaged Couples

Everything feels overwhelming, but in order to make each detail count, take the time to really put yourselves into the planning process; it pays off in the end, and guests really appreciate it!