A Romantic Destination Elopement in Wisconsin

Jessi and Junior’s Destination Elopement in Wisconsin

This blog post is all about Jessi and Junior’s destination elopement in Wisconsin. However, before we go into the wedding details and photos, let’s rewind time for just a second:

Once upon a time, I met a vibrant, easygoing, and fun lady at a Christmas party. She was expecting her first child and had been in search for a maternity photographer. As fate may have it, our paths crossed that night … and the rest is history.

I have had the pleasure of watching Jessi and Wedson’s (also known as Junior) relationship and family grow throughout the years so you can imagine my excitement when they asked me to be their wedding photographer. And not only would I have the chance to reunite with one of my favorite couples ever, but they’d be flying me out to beautiful Wisconsin! AHHHHHH! The excitement!!!

Wedding Day

I cannot rave enough about this couple or their wedding at the North Lakeland Discovery Center. The day was sunny and warm, the sky blue, and everyone was in great spirits. Jessi looked gorgeous in her Vera Wang gown, and Junior, handsome as ever. Not to mention, little McKenzie looking like the princess that she is!

They say pictures are worth 1,000 words. I truly believe this. Just take a look at the pictures from Jessi and Junior’s destination elopement in Wisconsin:

Wedding details from the destination elopement in Wisconsin.

What’s wedding prep without some helpful sidekicks like these two fur-babies?!

Dog onsite at the getting ready lodge in Wisconsin.

Bride getting ready for her destination elopement in Wisconsin.

The bride getting her makeup and hair done before her ceremony.

Pictures of the bridal gown and the flower girl's dress.

The bride putting on her dress and shoes before her destination elopement in Wisconsin.

A sweet prayer before the walk down the aisle…

A closeup photo of the bride and groom's hands.

The bride having a moment with her girls before her destination elopement in Wisconsin.

Detail photos of the destination elopement in Wisconsin.

The groom getting ready for the ceremony.

The wedding party walking down the aisle.

The bride had her two fathers and daughter walk her down the aisle. The moment Junior saw his soon-to-be-wife, there was no stopping the tears. It was an overflow of sweetness!

The bride walking down the aisle with her daughter and two fathers.

The bride walking down the aisle with her daughter.

The wedding ceremony at the destination elopement in Wisconsin.

The exchanging of rings during the wedding ceremony.

The bride and groom with their daughter walk down the aisle.

Bride and groom portraits during their destination elopement in Wisconsin.

Bridal portraits of the bride by the Wisconsin lake.

Being the fun couple that they are, we even took a boat out on the lake after the ceremony, and got some magical photos! I was definitely singing the Little Mermaid’s “Kiss the Girl” behind the camera (although it was a great mixture of “The Little Mermaid” and “The Notebook”).

The bride and groom take the boat out on the lake during their destination elopement in Wisconsin.

Bride and groom kiss on a boat on the Wisconsin lake.

Bride and groom dancing outside of a red barn.

The bride and groom walking away from the destination elopement photographer.

The groom kissing the hand of the bride.

A closeup of the bride and groom's wedding bands.

Wedding Reception

Grip and grins of guests from the reception.

The couple entering their wedding reception.

The toasts during the couple's wedding reception.

The fire-pit on this cake actually lit up – how cool is that?!

The bride and groom cutting the wedding cake.

The reception at destination elopement in Wisconsin.

Now that’s a sunset! And I love all of Jessi and Junior’s personal and DYI touches…

The guests dancing during the reception.

A little wedding fun with the shoe game. Never heard of it? Here’s how it works: During your reception, place two chairs back-to-back on the dance floor for the bride and groom. Remove both of your shoes. Trade a shoe with your new spouse so that you’re holding one of each. Then, have a designated person ask a series of questions about the two of you and your relationship. After each question, hold up the shoe of the person you think is the best answer to the question. (Information provided by The Bridal Guide).

The bride and groom playing the shoe game.

Then the party started! From the silly shoe game to an epic bouquet and garter toss, the fun didn’t stop. Not to mention the fireball shots!

How many spins does it take to get a bride wobbly for her bouquet toss?

The bride tossing the bouquet and the groom retrieving the garter.

We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day, or night!

Candid moments during the wedding reception.

Let’s get this party started!

The bride changed outfits and continued dancing.

Night portraits of the bride and groom at the destination elopement in Wisconsin.

When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that’s amore.”

Some moonlight romance:

The couple underneath the moon at their destination elopement in Wisconsin.

J+W: Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your special day! Cheers to you – may this day be only one of many epic days to come and may your love and beautiful family continue to grow! (P.S. give Ninja a big kiss for me!)