Jessica & Eric’s Brookfield wedding

Rain showers could have put a serious damper on Jessica and Eric’s wedding day—they’d booked a friend’s apple orchard for their ceremony. Instead of marrying out in the elements, Eric, the first to arrive, decided that they’d say their vows in an apple barn. There, the couple and a small group of loved ones could still savor the autumn feel. “It turned out even better than the original location,” says Jessica. “It was so cozy and intimate, and absolutely adorable.”

Both their orchard ceremony venue and lodge-like reception space were ideal choices for Jessica and Eric’s rustic fall wedding, where their down-to-earth personalities shone through. “We really wanted the whole day to be simple and sweet, comfortable and relaxed,” explains the Pewaukee bride, who was encouraged to friend Eric on Facebook by a matchmaking co-worker. “We enjoy being very involved and had more DIY projects than we knew what to do with.”

“For all of the grooms, it’s your wedding, too, so be engaged,” suggests Eric, the person responsible for working with the DJ, tracking the budget, creating some of the projects, and more. “The whole wedding was that much more enjoyable because I wasn’t just a spectator, too…I helped make it happen.”

And enjoy they did! From seeing one another for the first time and adjusting to their new ceremony space, to having all of their favorite people together in one spot, the day was full of happy twists for Eric and Jessica. Above it all, they’re so touched by all the love and effort their family put into making the experience perfect. “Everyone went out of their way to see that every detail was in place,” says a grateful Jessica—“even things that we didn’t think of.”

Locations: Burlington, Brookfield
Date: September 21, 2012
Photographs: Sarah Immel Photography

Planner: Amanda Felsman of Tailored Engagements; Ceremony site: Brightonwoods Orchard; Officiant: Rev. Jennifer Miller, (414) 232-7997; Ceremony musician: Bret Huotari, guitar and vocals; Videography: Philip Hinkle of Frogman Productions; Reception site: Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts; Caterer: Gracious Events; DJ: Sound By Design; Reception entertainment: Frogman Productions; Gown: Bliss Bridal; Bride’s hair and makeup: Clark Richard Salon; Groom’s suit: Joseph A. Bank; Engagement ring: Security Jewelers; Wedding bands: Kesslers Diamonds; Bride’s other jewelry: Boston Store; Florist: Rachel Block of Reflections of You; Cake baker: Simma’s Bakery; Stationery design: Kelly DeMatteis; Caramel apples: Squire’s Chocolates & Caramels, (262) 534-6715

Ellie Martin Cliffe (104 Posts)

By the end of high school, Ellie Martin Cliffe was completely enamored of journalism, so she chose the most logical college major possible: anthropology. Disappointed by the minimal emphasis on writing and editing, she changed tracks and earned a comm degree from Carroll College. Ellie has since tackled many facets of the field including books, magazines and the Web at places like The Knot and Reader's Digest. She now works full time in book publishing, and is thrilled to get her wedding fix with WedInMilwaukee.com. When she isn’t wielding her (red) pen, Ellie can be found in the garden, at any concert that showcases a fiddle, playing pub trivia or in the kitchen. She and her husband live in Riverwest with their hedgehog, Guinness, and grapefruit tree, Sprout.