ART DECO VISION

As self-described history buffs, Ella and Nick drew their wedding inspiration from the elegance of bygone eras and the glamour of classic old-Hollywood films. The result was a wedding aesthetic that felt genuinely transported — vintage, art deco, deeply romantic, and layered with rich textures and timeless detail. Hotel Northland, with its historic architecture and grand ballroom spaces, was the only venue that could hold the vision they had in mind.

Ella and Nick planned their wedding over eighteen months, and they did it entirely together. Nick was involved in every decision — from choosing flowers and colors to deciding where each candle should be placed on the tables. That shared investment in every detail is visible throughout the day, and it is exactly what made the final result feel so completely like both of them.

Flora Bouquets LLC created the floral arrangements — classic red roses throughout, perfectly suited to the vintage romantic aesthetic and executed with stunning elegance. Ella had first encountered the florist through the Greater Green Bay Chamber and knew immediately she was the right fit. Invitations and custom signage were both designed by Ella herself, adding another layer of personal craft to the day.

The tablescape design was Ella and Nick’s favorite element of the entire reception — candles in varying heights and widths layered on top of large mirrors, creating a warm, glowing ambiance that filled the Emerald Ballroom with exactly the romantic, art deco atmosphere they had worked so hard to achieve. Every time they looked across the room, the candlelight made it feel magical. Signage throughout the space shared love stories spanning generations of their families, making the decor as meaningful as it was beautiful.

Nicole Krueger at Hotel Northland served as their point of contact and kept everything on track with the kind of attentive, detail-oriented care that made the day feel effortless. Beyond the venue team, an extraordinary circle of family and friends stepped in to help with every little detail that needed attention — and without them, Ella is the first to say, none of it would have been possible.

WEDDING DAY LOOKS

Ella’s gown was designed by Silviamo and found at PickyGlam Bridal in Appleton, discovered after trying on just a handful of options. She slipped into it and knew immediately. No deliberation needed.

Her bridesmaids were given a single guideline: elegant and black. Each chose her own dress, with options ranging from BHLDN to Lulus to — in what became one of the most celebrated details of the day — a stunning find from Ross. Every dress reflected the individual style of the person wearing it while feeling entirely cohesive as a group.

For the groomsmen and ushers, The Black Tux was the practical choice, given that most of them live outside the area. For the dads and the groom, Jason Louis provided the looks.

Ella’s makeup was done by a close friend who knows her style inside and out — no trial run needed when the person holding the brush already knows your face. Her hairstylist was Andrea Ragen, someone Ella has trusted for nearly her entire life — the same person who did her prom hair almost a decade ago. Nails were done at the Sense Spa.

THE CEREMONY

Ella and Nick were married at Old St. Joe’s Catholic Church on the St. Norbert College campus.  The historic church required very little in the way of ceremony decor. Large white bows at the ends of the aisles provided a simple, elegant touch that let the architecture speak for itself.

The music was deeply personal. Nick’s brother-in-law, Connor Klavekoske, organized and performed all of the ceremony music on piano, with Megan Flood providing vocals. As Ella walked down the aisle, Connor played Songbird by Fleetwood Mac — a breathtaking, intimate moment that the room will not soon forget.

Father David Plier officiated the ceremony. He had married Ella’s parents thirty-three years and one day earlier. Having him guide them through their vows added a sentimental weight to the ceremony that no other officiant could have provided. Every person involved in the Mass — from family friends doing the readings to godmothers bringing down the gifts — was someone who had shaped their lives in a meaningful way. The ceremony was a living portrait of every relationship that had brought them to that moment.

CAPTURING THE DAY

Derrick Parsons was found on Facebook when Ella and Nick were looking for an engagement photographer — and he absolutely delivered on that first session. From there, choosing him for the wedding was easy. His creativity, his eye, and his personality made him feel less like a vendor and more like a friend throughout the entire process. He kept them relaxed, hyped them up when needed, and captured moments they did not even know they would want to remember.

Photo stops began at Old St. Joe’s and continued around the St. Norbert College campus, capturing memories in the place where their love story started. From there, the group moved to the elegant interiors of Hotel Northland — and for one unexpected and playful addition, onto the rooftop of the Cherry Street parking ramp, adding a cinematic, unconventional element to the gallery that felt entirely in keeping with the couple’s spirit.

Hello Darling Productions handled videography and delivered a final film that exceeded every expectation Ella had going in. Video has always been deeply important to her — she grew up watching her parents’ wedding video, completely captivated by it, and the desire to create something just as meaningful for her own family was part of the vision from the very beginning. The investment was, without question, worth every penny.

THE RECEPTION

The reception at the Emerald Ballroom at Hotel Northland was the moment the entire vision became real. When Ella and Nick walked into the ballroom and saw everything they had worked toward fully realized — the candlelight, the roses, the mirrors, the gold, the art deco grandeur of it all — it took their breath away. All the planning, all the late nights, all the decisions made together had led to this room, and it was exactly what they had imagined.

Hotel Northland handled catering, bartending, and late-night eats entirely in-house, allowing the evening to flow seamlessly from one moment to the next. McKayla Marie Sweets created a charming sweethearts cake for the couple to cut — an intimate and personal touch that suited the scale and spirit of the day beautifully.

DJ Stretch provided entertainment throughout the reception, keeping the energy exactly right as the evening unfolded. Ella and Nick’s first dance was to “Joy of My Life” by Chris Stapleton.

The bouquet toss from the balcony of the Emerald Ballroom was the moment that defined the reception for everyone in the room. Ella looked down at all her favorite women gathered below as “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” by ABBA filled the space — the laughter, the energy, the sparkle of the room, and the pure joy of the moment made it one of those memories that stays with you long after the night ends. It was, as Ella described it, so iconic and so them.

A Day Built Together

What made the day truly special wasn’t just the design or the details—it was how it all came together. Ella and Nick approached every decision as a team, ensuring each element reflected both of them. From the florals to the candle placement, every detail was intentional, making the final result feel all the more special.

Planning as a team not only makes the process more meaningful—it ensures your wedding feels like a true reflection of both of you. Take your time, trust your vision, and enjoy the experience along the way.