A Historic, Victorian Venue as a Stage
The Fitzgerald seems to me to be a backdrop that instantly transports any celebration held within its walls. This Victorian mansion in the heart of Milwaukee sets a stage with elements that feel like Oscar Wilde wrote a novel about your wedding day. 15 foot windows in every room, ivy creeping across the brick exterior, and historic wallpaper patterns that exude the feel of class from times gone by.
Getting Ready- Window Scenes and First Looks
The gentlemen's room felt like the only thing missing was a fine cigar and a shared bottle of bourbon. No level of guy humor could have brought down the pedigree of this space, being steeped in window light that streamed into the room. In both the groom and bridal spaces, swathes of light painted scenes that Caravaggio himself would have drooled over, softly carving out each look, gesture, and interaction from the silken shadows. For a documentary wedding photography approach, this light is a goldmine.
One scene sculpted from that window light that I particularly loved was the quest for more champagne in the bridal suite. The issue wasn't "Do we have more champagne?" but rather, "How the heck do we get this thing open?" A smile couldn't be stopped from creeping across my face behind the camera as I watched this poor, abused champagne bottle pass from hand to hand until landing knowingly in the mother of the bride's hands. And in another feat of providing like only a mother can (and not without much effort!), pop went the cork and the chatty flow of shouts and laughs continued overtop the backdrop of 2000's boyband essentials.
First look with the bride and her father was touching, and I held back a laugh when she exclaimed "Why am *I* nervous right now??" before giving her dad the cue to turn around. It's funny how wide a gamut first looks with dad can give- some dad's are so nonchalant and others, like this father, are brought to tears at the sight of their daughter. With tears dried and hugs exchanged, the groom awaited his first look down in the brick courtyard. Amid the dance of ivy in the breeze, heartfelt promises and sentiments of devotion were stacked word by word, a verbal foundation on which their life together would be built.
A Modern Ceremony Amidst Historic Wedding Details
Nestled inside the Fitzgerald's Victorian facade is a chic, modern ceremony space painted in clean black and white lines. My favorite part of this area is the open floor plan that allows the wedding party look out upon the guests and altar area. Something about it creates a sense of connection and expectation as each person awaits their turn to process down the aisle. When the wedding party is hidden while lined up, there is this feeling of standing on the edge of the cliff stepping out into the unknown. When that visual barrier is crossed, it's so much easier for nerves to turn into excitement, and doubt turns into expectation. The wedding ceremony becomes something that everyone walks through together.
After rings and vows were exchanged before loved ones, the bride and groom led the charge towards a champagne and beer wall that marked the starting line for cocktail hour in the garden courtyard. Guests were free to roam about the property and relax in the ambience of the its intricate historical details as the newlyweds retreated to take a breath and soak in the moments following the ceremony. Before long, cheers and shouts echoed off the brick as the couple finally entered into the walled courtyard to receive their guests and begin a celebration that carried on throughout the evening.
Photographed with Alternative Bride Photography
