Megan & Christopher's Milwaukee wedding

Fans of all things Mickey Mouse, Megan and Christopher initially wanted to marry at Disney World. But plans changed, and they found themselves putting together a laid-back and intimate gathering for 70 in their own city. Bonus: At their new locale, Figment, the pair’s Shorkie (a Shih Tzu-Yorkie mix), could be their honorary ring bearer.

“The size of the wedding was perfect,” Christopher explains. “We had been to several big weddings in the past and knew that just wasn’t us.” Finalizing the guest list wasn’t easy for the couple, but the end result was ideal. “I was able to spend time with everyone and enjoy myself,” says Megan, who was set up with her new husband by co-workers.

To keep the mood lighthearted at their glamorous venue, Villa Filomena, Megan and Christopher punctuated their day with Disney details. “The tables were named after our favorite parts of the Walt Disney World Parks,” says the bride. Their florist, Emily Neubauer at Belle Fiori, got in on the action, too, hiding Mickeys throughout the floral arrangements that were meant for guests to find. “The Disney touches were subtle but were quintessentially us,” says Christopher, who assures that the day was anything but “princess-y” and “cheesy.”

“I absolutely loved walking into our reception with Christopher and being able to see all the little touches put together so beautifully,” explains Megan, who says the top-notch group of wedding pros allowed the couple to stick to their ultimate goal (besides getting married!): “Celebrating with family…we wanted everyone there to feel the love that we felt.”

Location: Milwaukee
Date: June 22, 2012
Photographs: Mark Hawkins Photography

Venue: Villa Filomena; Officiant: Rev. Jeffrey Montoya; Ceremony musicians: Josh Hart of Unclear on the Concept; Caterer: Open Flame; DJ: Charles Joecks from Streamline Productions; Gown: Casablanca Bridal from Savvy Bride; Veil: A Savvy Bride; Bride’s shoes: Steve Madden; Bride’s hair and makeup: Capricio Salon & Spa; Bridesmaid dresses: Bill Levkoff from A Savvy Bride; Tuxedos: DuBois Formalwear from A Savvy Bride; Rings: Kay Jewelers; Bride’s necklace: Etsy; Bride’s handbag: Family heirloom; Bride’s hairpiece: Made by a bridesmaid; Florist: Belle Fiori; Baker: Delicately Delicious; Cake toppers: Disney Vinylmations; Stationer: Uncommon Affair, Inc.; Favors: Mickey-shaped sugar cookies from Signature Sweets Bakery, (414) 774-2253; Mr. & Mrs. signs: Sweetly Spoken Shop

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.