Alissa & Jacob's Milwaukee wedding

Sometimes, kids seem wise beyond their years. “At the age of four, I told my mom I was gonna marry Alissa, and no one believed me,” says Jacob of his childhood friend, “but I’m proud to say, mission accomplished!” His family later moved to Colorado and the pair drifted apart, but after a decade, Jacob returned. “Sparks flew!” Alissa says. “Neither of us was prepared for it, but God knew what He was doing!”

The couple’s six-month engagement was the perfect amount of time for Alissa and her mother to plan the late-spring event, where every detail radiated romance. And, Alissa says, “it was a breeze!” The key is to do your homework so you never have to settle, she explains: “You can have everything you dreamed of and more if you’re smart about it. We rented almost everything for the church and reception hall, as far as décor goes, and saved a fortune!”

A rainy forecast didn’t dampen the mood on the day. Family and friends joined Alissa and Jacob at their Germantown church to witness a joyful ceremony; then, the wedding party departed for Cedarburg, where the couple lives, to pose for photos. “She blew us away!” says the bride of photographer Laetitia Patezour. “I wanted romance, and she delivered!” When everyone gathered for an elegant reception, the crowd was ready to dance the night away.

“The whole day was complete bliss, and I still can’t believe it when I look back on it today,” says the bride, whose wedding ring is engraved with Omnia Vincit Amore (love conquers all in Latin), to match her husband’s. “I truly married my best friend.”

Locations: Germantown and Milwaukee
Date: May 26, 2012
Photographs: Tres Jolie Photo

Planner: Bride’s mother; Church: CrossWay Church; Officiant: Rev. Jason Esposito; Ceremony singers: Angela Nicholas and Corey Richards; Reception site: Hilton Garden Inn Milwaukee Park Place; Caterer: Allgauer’s; DJ: Midwest Sound; Gown: Oleg Cassini from David’s Bridal; Bride’s shoes: David’s Bridal; Bride’s hair/makeup: Bella Lei Salon Spa & Boutique; Bridesmaid dresses: Camille La Vie; Bridesmaid jewelry: Handmade by the bride; Flower girl dresses and jewelry: Etsy; Tuxedos: Men’s Wearhouse; Rings: Roger’s & Hollands; Bride’s other jewelry: Pearl necklace, bracelet and earrings from the bride’s parents; Florist/rentals: Something Borrowed; Baker: Cake & Bake; Stationer: Invitations by Dawn; Favors: Ghirardelli Chocolate; Transportation: A relative’s limo

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.