Carrie & Paul | May 10, 2025 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Carrie and Paul got married right on the lakefront with Lake Michigan stretching out behind them. For two people who got engaged on the coast of Maine, spend vacations shelling in Florida, and walk the lake basically every day—getting married by the water was the only choice that made sense.

How They Met (The Fun Version and the Real Version)

Ask Carrie and Paul how they met, and they'll tell you they locked eyes across the deck of a sunset catamaran cruise in Puerto Vallarta. Paul boldly offered to put sunscreen on Carrie's sun-kissed shoulders. Very smooth. Very romantic.

The real story? They met online. Ha!

But honestly, it feels just as destined—because their paths might never have crossed otherwise. Their first date was at Colectivo Coffee on the lakeshore with a perfect view of the water. And that was it—a new adventure began.

The Pre-Game

The festivities kicked off the night before with a "Pre-Game Dinner" at Merriment Social, hosted by Paul's family. The name? A nod to Paul's days playing football for the Iowa Hawkeyes. Out-of-town guests got dinner, drinks, and a solid dose of Midwest warmth.

The Ceremony

Short, stunning, and right on the water. Soft blues and elegant golds everywhere. Waves and skyline as the backdrop. Carrie and Paul read their vows to each other privately before the ceremony—just the two of them, no audience—so they could be fully present with everyone else the rest of the day.

Cocktail Hour at Coast

After the ceremony, guests headed straight to Coast for cocktails. The signature drinks were inspired by the couple's respective family cabins and the bodies of water they love. Everything about this day told their story.

The Handwritten Notes

At dinner, every single guest found a personalized handwritten note at their place setting. Not generic thank-yous—actual messages about what that person means to Carrie and Paul and the unique role they play in their lives. Grab the tissues.

The Reception

Then came the Miller Room. And the grand entrance to Bruce Springsteen's She's the One—because Paul has been to 40+ Springsteen concerts and literally owns one of his harmonicas. Full superfan status.

First dance to Better Together, and then the party took off.

The Blackberry Brandy Toast

One of the most meaningful moments of the night came during the blackberry brandy toast—a tradition rooted in Carrie's family. For years, Carrie has welcomed guests to her cabin with blackberry brandy. It's a gesture that says: you're not a guest anymore, you're family. The tradition also honors her grandparents, who used to sip blackberry brandy together on their Christmas tree farm.

During the reception, Carrie's sister and maid of honor led all 200+ guests in a toast, officially welcoming everyone into the couple's extended family. It was a moment filled with warmth, heritage, and so much love.

The Florals

Carrie's bouquet was stunning: white hydrangeas, creamy mini calla lilies, soft peach roses, delicate blue delphinium, and textured green hypericum berries—wrapped in ivory ribbon. Fresh, romantic, and perfect for the lakeside setting.

Paul's boutonnière kept it simple and classic: a single white mini calla lily with hypericum berries and ruscus. Clean and sophisticated.

Their Advice

Everyone told them the day would fly by in a blur and they wouldn't remember anything. But that wasn't their experience. They remember so much of it—because they were intentional about staying present. They slowed down. They paused. They soaked it all in.

Their advice? Stay rooted in what matters most to you. Let go of perfection and lean into connection. Eat the cake. Take the dance. Soak in the love. This is your beginning—make it one that feels true to who you are.

In their words:

The Dream Team:

Cocktails: Coast
Reception: The Miller Room
Florals: Urban Sense Flowers
Food & Cake: Zilli Hospitality Group
Dress & Suit: Miss Ruby Boutique, DuBois Formalwear
Hair: Man About Style
Makeup: Melissa Ann Artistry Co
DJ: Milwaukee Airwaves
Photos: Me! Photography By Jill Emmer