Sure, lots of couples meet at bars, but how many can say they connected when she “bounced” him? Mike (the unsuspecting patron at Flannery’s) and Kiley (who was playing security guard) are a pair who can, and two years after she checked his ID, they were planning a wedding as unique as their story.

“When Mike and I got engaged, we were coming off that time in life when we literally had a wedding every weekend,” explains the Wauwatosa bride, “and we both agreed we really wanted something different.” They scoured Milwaukee and Green Bay for venues, and decided on the Pritzlaff, where they held the entire evening celebration.

To kick off the event together, Kiley and Mike shared a first look in one of the tunnel drives at the Pritzlaff. “It was a really perfect moment, and seeing him put me at total ease. Having that moment just between us was really special,” says Kiley, who also treasures the walk down the aisle with her dad. “It was the only time during the wedding that, for just a moment, I was sad—realizing that my dad was going to be giving me away.”

“When I walked down the aisle, I was thinking, This is exactly what I pictured,” says Kiley, who thanks her family for helping with the day’s preparations, including the vintage-romantic centerpieces made from music boxes, lanterns, bottles, books and more. “Everyone kept saying, ‘It will all come together,’ and it did!”

Location: Milwaukee
Date: September 1, 2012
Photographs: Front Room Photography

Venue: The Pritzlaff; Day-of coordinator: Cori Coffman, Gravity Events; Officiant: Michael Smith; Caterer: Lee John’s Catering; DJ/lighting: David Hackbarth, Sound by Design; Gown: Wtoo; Bride’s hair/makeup: WELL Spa + Salon; Bridesmaid dresses: The Dessy Group from A Savvy Bride; Tuxedos: Jos. A. Bank; Young attendants’ attire: Made by family friend; Rings: Private jeweler; Bride’s other jewelry: Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers; Bride’s hair accessory: Weddings by Janie; Florist: The Flower Lady; Favors: Soundtrack CD sleeves from The Paper Worker