WEDDING DAY LOOKS

Anika wore an heirloom wedding gown given to her by a close family friend. It was the only dress she tried on – and incredibly, it fit without a single alteration (just a little whitening). The vintage details paired perfectly with the historic, wintery style of the day.

BRIDESMAID GOWNS
Her bridesmaids wore dresses from Boden, chosen for their soft, vintage feel rather than the typical “bridesmaid dress” look.

MEN’S FORMALWEAR
Ben and the groomsmen wore tweed suits from a British company—Anika fell in love with the lovat color, which added a light, winter-green touch that matched the theme beautifully.

HAIR AND MAKEUP
Samwise at K Sera De Pere brought Anika’s vision to life and nailed the vintage pin curl updo and timeless makeup Anika envisioned.

Bouquet:
Petal Pusher, Green Bay.
The cascading bouquet in blush, ivory, and soft greens with red Hypericum berry accents captured the perfect look for a winter wedding.

THE CEREMONY

Heritage Hill Moravian Church set the tone with its historic charm. To complement the space, the couple kept décor minimal—focusing on a dramatic front-of-church floral installation created by Petal Pusher, who captured their English country Christmas theme perfectly.
Anika walked down the aisle to “Jesus, Let Us Come to Know You,” the hymn sung at her baptism. Piano music filled the church, keeping the ceremony warm, simple, and centered on worship.
One of Anika’s favorite moments was hearing the entire room sing “He Leadeth Me.” It was a meaningful pause in an otherwise full day.

CAPTURING THE DAY

Ben and Anika chose Simply Vintage Photography after seeing a winter wedding featured in Premier Bride, photographed at Heritage Hill. They loved the timeless look—and it turned out to be exactly what they wanted.
Photos stayed on-site, using the charm of the church and nearby historic buildings. The soft winter light mixed with their vintage-inspired styling made for beautiful images without any elaborate setups.

The Reception

The celebration continued at Poplar Hall in Appleton. The couple loved the airy interior, huge windows overlooking the river, and the multi-level design. They intentionally planned an early ceremony so guests could enjoy the sunset during cocktail hour.
Heirloom Kitchen provided both catering and dessert, serving cozy yet elegant dishes that fit their winter theme. Guests were welcomed with afternoon tea—a nod to their English-inspired vibe—and the bar featured all local Wisconsin drinks.
Reception décor became a family project: Anika and her mom spent the summer collecting brass candlesticks and glass votives, pairing them with fresh greens, dried oranges, and red berries. Petal Pusher repurposed the ceremony florals to frame the head table—one of the standout visual moments of the night.
A string quartet played historic Christmas carols and festive tunes throughout the reception, adding to the seasonal charm.

 LOOKING BACK

Some of the most meaningful memories came in the quieter moments. Ben and Anika loved hearing the speeches from friends and family. And after the ceremony, seeing their guests gathered outside (in December!) laughing and talking was a moment they won’t forget.
Then came their unique twist: instead of a first dance, they went ice skating. Anika changed into a short vintage dress and coat, retro Christmas music played, and everyone joined in. It was fun, unexpected, and a total hit.

ADVICE FROM THE COUPLE
“Choose things that feel like you, even if they’re not traditional,” the couple shared. “Those details are what make the day unforgettable—for you and for your guests.”