Madison & TJ | November 1, 2025 | Rubicon, Wisconsin

Madison and TJ got married at The Bowery Barn on the first day of November, surrounded by their favorite people and their Golden Retriever, Wrigley (who absolutely stole the show).

The Venue

The Bowery Barn was perfect for them—clean lines, open fields, and enough space to really enjoy the day.

The wedding party wore all black, which looked striking against the warm fall tones—browns, beige, greens, and whites everywhere.

Even in a barn setting, Maddie brought serious Old Hollywood energy with her sleek ponytail and fitted dress. Gorgeous.

A neutral palette of browns, beige, green, and white paired beautifully with fall light, while the wedding party dressed in all black added a modern contrast to the warm, rustic setting.

How They Met

Maddie and TJ Wedding at The Bowery, Wisconsin. Super8 Video

These two met on Halloween in downtown Madison almost ten years ago. Fast forward through years of building a life together, and you've got Wrigley (their Golden Retriever), a home, and a proposal on the Michigan Avenue Bridge in Chicago after dinner one night.

First Look (With Uninvited Guests)

The bridesmaids totally watched Madison and TJ's first look from the window.

Privacy? Not happening. But it made for some hilarious photos.

We spent time shooting around the property after their first look—no rushing, just them enjoying the moment.

Then came the surprises! The groomsmen got "iced" by Maddie during photos. Wrigley crashed the wedding as the “ring bearer” pup.

And TJ got custom matching shoes as a gift that they wore after the first dance. Perfect.

A Ceremony Rooted in Family - and Fun

Here's where things got really fun. Some of the wedding party walked down the aisle pulling a wagon full of beer, handing out cans to guests as they went. The confused faces, then the laughter—chef's kiss.

Then Wrigley trotted down with the rings tied to his collar, because of course he did.

Madison's cousin Hannah officiated. Both of Madison's parents walked her down the aisle. Her brother stood beside her as Man of Honor. She wore a robe made from her mom's wedding dress while getting ready and carried a bouquet with a photo charm of her grandmother tucked inside.

All these little family touches made it so emotional and personal.

The Details That Made It Theirs

Framed photos of Wrigley sat on every single table (as they should). There was a massive photo backdrop with pictures of almost every guest—people kept finding themselves and freaking out. The card box? A vintage Milwaukee Blatz beer crate.

Personal details were layered throughout the reception. Small framed photos of Wrigley appeared on each table. A custom photo backdrop featured images of nearly every guest. A vintage Milwaukee Blatz beer crate was repurposed as the card box.

Cocktail napkins read “so we met at a bar – Halloween 2015,” while a reception sign reminded guests, “we’ve waited a long time for this—please party accordingly.”

They had one long head table so the whole wedding party and their dates could sit together.

The best man delivered a speech that no one saw coming — and the crowd was roaring from start to finish.

Onto The Dance Floor

After dinner and toasts, Madison and her mom danced to Landslide. Then the dance floor filled up and stayed packed.

One of Madison and TJ's favorite moments? Watching people discover themselves in that photo backdrop. Such a sweet reminder of how many people showed up for them.

Final Thoughts

Madison and TJ's advice? Focus on what actually matters to you. Those are the things you'll remember.

In Their Words:

The Dream Team:

Venue: The Bowery Barn
Officiant: Hannah Fantastico
Food & Cake: Flavors of Grace
Dress & Suit: Marah's Bridal, Jason Louis Mequon
Hair & Makeup: Bridal Artistry Team
DJ: Double Platinum DJ
Photos: Me! Photography By Jill Emmer