Photographing this wedding was a transport into old world mood and enchantment. Katherine & Jack met while both studying at the prestigious Marquette University here in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Having dated throughout their undergrad and graduate degrees, they finally chose to tie the knot in an elegant Catholic ceremony at the historic Basilica of St. Josaphat. Their laid back personalities really reflected themselves in their respective getting ready spaces. Small talk with the guys and little ripples of laughter with the gals, both of which snowballed into greater and greater energy as the day progressed.
The Basilica commanded a quieted sense of awe once you got inside, its sweeping expanses of marble and granite echoing every footfall high into the cathedral ceiling. It was hard believing we were still nestled in Milwaukee and not transported straight to Rome as soon as the doors were opened. The ceremony was performed by Katherine's family priest, and his homily held such warm sentiments for her and Jack both, alongside several touching stories that spoke to a beautiful depth of spiritual and personal relationship. While every ceremony has its own sweet touches, the insight and guidance from an officiant or priest or pastor who walks with the couple regularly is irreplaceable, and the effect it has even on those in attendance is real and apparent. It makes the tone of celebration shift to an air of reverence for the step the couple is undertaking.
One of the best things about being a wedding photographer in Milwaukee is that most places you want to be are never more than a fifteen minute drive away. So, with the couple having met at Marquette, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to reflect that in their wedding party and couples photos. We stopped over to the St. Joan of Arc Chapel on Marquette's campus and knocked out a fun round of portraits before heading to the illustrious Grain Exchange near Milwaukee's Third Ward. Sky-high ceilings and looming columns became the theme of the day as we stepped into a high-class, refined reception space. Jack and Katherine's reception, outfitted in elegance and refined taste unfolded smoothly until the end. Guests were greeted and enveloped with the stylings of a jazz combo tucked just beside the entrance before getting swept away towards their next glass of wine and conversation.
