Madison Wedding Photographers Throw-down: a Modern Shoot!

I am super-excited to reveal this fun and beautiful shoot for you, but first: a little explanation is in order.  You see, this wasn’t an ordinary shoot.  It wasn’t for clients; it was just for me!  Well, me and several other industry friends.  Every so often it is a good idea to do something that allows you to step out of the box and create something different.  And so, a team of wonderful Madison wedding professionals got together and we did just that!

A short while ago, my friend Bobbi and I had a conversation about shooting and editing styles. Bobbi is the fabulous photographer behind The Salty Peanut Photography in Sun Prairie and she shoots weddings just like me! Her style, however, is drastically different than mine. We had a great chat about how we love that brides and grooms have such a wide variety of photographers to choose from here in our amazing state of Wisconsin. But that raised a question… Should the style of your WEDDING necessarily match the style of PHOTOGRAPHER that you choose?

We decided to put this to the test, and so came to life two very different styled shoots.  Bobbi’s style is soft and vintage-inspired, and my style is very contemporary and bold.  The shoot you’ll see today was styled with a very modern, bright, and bold concept.  Next month, we’ll work on a vintage-styled shoot.  Then, we’ll both shoot each of the concepts.  Of course, our images will remain true to our styles regardless of the shoot.

The point?  To show that no matter the style of your wedding, you can choose a photographer whose style suits you- whether they match or not!  Vintage photographer on a modern wedding?  Definitely!  Modern photographer on a vintage wedding?  Sure!  Or, if you prefer- a modern photographer for a modern wedding and a vintage photographer for a vintage wedding.

So here you go- my take on our bold, bright, and modern shoot.  Enjoy, and scroll all the way through for a link to the same concept photographed by The Salty Peanut!

Let’s start with some amazing details!  Like this gorgeous cake from The Rolling Pin Bakeshop in Fitchburg.  Dripping with jewels, this was one of the first inspirations for the shoot!

the rolling pin bakeshop madison wedding cakes

One of my favorite local stationers, Sugar Pear Design, created a fun set of custom paper products for us, including this adorable and modern invite with RSVP.

sugarpear design madison wisconsin stationer wedding stationary

We got to use some amazing floral designs by another favorite of mine, Flora Designs by Jamae!  Both Jenny and I love working with her.  I loved the copper metal wrap with the bamboo shoots around the stems.  Gorgeous!

flora by jamae madison wi wedding florist

How fabulous is this boutonniere??  LOVED IT.

Wisconsin wedding flowers

Another really exciting aspect of the shoot was brought by Lisa Barry of Barry Chic.  Lisa is a personal shopper and a stylist and is going to be offering her services to wedding clients beginning this year.  She added some lovely input on the attire and the accessories.  She also borrowed us some of the pieces from her Lionette Jewelry showcase, and they added some pizzazz to the style for sure!  I love this line of very contemporary jewelry, and I can’t wait to build my collection now that she sells this designer eye candy here in Madison!

Lionette Jewelry NYC

These amazing earrings are to die for; especially the ones on the right below, with the blue gemstone spikes.  GORGEOUS, and probably next on my list…

Lionette Jewelry Wisconsin Madison WI

Lisa also helped us nab some fabulous shoes from Boston Store- loved this bold blue pair with the gemstone-encrusted heels!

Boston Store Madison WI blue wedding shoes

We began the day inside our downtown gallery, home of the Wilson Street Wedding Group.  Loooove it!  We’re offering our amazing space to brides who are looking for a unique and beautiful place to begin their wedding day in downtown Madison.  It was awesome to see it in action, filled with our hair and make-up gurus!

Angela from Rockabetty’s Salon gave the girls beautiful hair (and did a little work on our groom, too), while Jade Jacobson did a stunning job on their make-up.

Wisconsin wedding photographers

Our couple sure did look lovely when the team was done…

Madison wedding photographers

We were so grateful that Steenbock’s on Orchard allowed us to set up our mock-party in their intimate space.  Loved shooting there, as well as in and around the Wisconsin Institute of Discovery!

WI wedding photographers
Steenbock on Orchard wedding photographers Madison WI

Jenny from Lavender Hill Events did such a fantastic job visualizing the whole shoot and getting things put together.  I thought this tablescape was beautiful and unique!  What do you think?  LOVE!  And that menu and the little escort cards- Kathy, you done outdone yo’self.

Lavender Hill Events Wisconsin wedding planner

Such a beautiful centerpiece, too!

Wedding at Steenbocks Madison WI
WI wedding photographers
Wisconsin wedding photography

Our groom, George, was just SMASHING in this tux from Nedrebo’s.

Barry Chic Fashion stylist Madison WI

A fun combo of gemstones and succulents in Brittania’s hair was a really unique look, don’t you agree?

Wisconsin wedding photographers

Jenny threw together this little accessory at the last minute, just for fun- and Lisa’s intern, Kate, added the earrings!  LOVE!

Madison wedding photographer

This wedding gown from Marah’s Elegant Bridals was SO BEAUTIFUL!  Covered in sparklies…  Just my style!

Discovery Institute Wedding Madison WI

All kinds of Barry Chic styling goin’ on in this next shot.  Love those bracelets!

Our gorgeous bridesmaid, Caroline- so cute!

Lisa threw in a cool twist at the end with a change into black-on-black with a blue bow-tie.  Don’t you love it??

Madison wedding photographers WI Wisconsin

Thanks so much for taking a few moments to see MY take on shooting a modern wedding.  Now…  Don’t you want to know what it would look like through Bobbi’s lens?  Well don’t hesitate!  CHECK IT OUT!

Click here to see Bobbi’s shots from this shoot- with a little vintage flavor added in!

Click here to read Jenny’s wedding-planner take on the day!

And Click HERE to view Lisa Barry’s thoughts on styling for the shoot!

April 18, 2013 - 6:51 pm

Runway and Aisle Unite - [...] Click her to see what things looked like through Mandie’s camera [...]

A Sneak Peek at a Stylish Scene…

With only a couple more days before I leave on a European adventure, I spent today in the midst of friends and fun and creativity.  I had the pleasure of working with an amazing team (including Jenny Sligh, my favorite wedding planner from Lavender Hill Events!) on a super-special styled shoot.  More details about the purpose behind this shoot are coming on Thursday!

We had so many amazing details to choose from, like these FABULOUS earrings by Lionette Jewelry.  This couture line is offered exclusively in Wisconsin by Lisa Barry of Barry Chic, and let me tell you…  I’ve got my eye on more than my fair share of their pieces!

Madison Wisconsin Lionette Jewelry Fashion Photographer

Anyone who’s familiar with Rolling Pin Bakeshop in Fitchburg will understand why I was sad that we couldn’t splurge on a REAL cake…  This is a GORGEOUS demo cake that they created for our shoot.  It was dripping with beautiful gemstones!  The frosting smelled so good.  By the way, their lemon-poppyseed-raspberry cake is TO. DIE. FOR.

Madison WI wedding cake bakery wedding photographers

We had some gorgeous models with us for the shoot, showing off this sparkly gown from Marah’s Elegant Bridal in Mount Horeb!  Gorgeous!

Wisconsin wedding photographers

And what’s a bridal shoot without a handsome groom, huh?  Here’s a teaser, ladies.  Just enough of George to know he made a dashing groom in his tux from Nedrebos…  Check back on Thursday for more eye candy!  And how about those Lionette earrings?  They add some sass to the bridal look, don’t they?  And that uber-modern boutonniere from Flora by Jamae?  That girl is wicked talented.  Wait till you see the rest of the florals!

Madison WI wedding photographers

This shoot was just SUCH a blast.  But there’s more to why that is…  Because I got to work alongside Bobbi Petersen of The Salty Peanut!  That’s right, two photographers throwin’ down together…

Bobbi & I really enjoyed working side by side and getting creative!  Check out Bobbi’s post to see her sneak peek!

Emma & Ian’s Madison Wedding at Bellini

Downtown Madison is such a lovely location for a winter wedding.  Why?  Because even the lack of greenery and warmth can’t stop the Capitol from being its beautiful self.  Emma & Ian got married in November downtown at the Madison Capitol Building, among friends & family that had flown in from everywhere.  Barely a handful were from Wisconsin, but everyone had a glorious day celebrating the bride & groom!  Their reception at Bellini Italian Restaurant was gorgeous, as well.  Their bold wedding colors really brightened up the historic-style space.  Starting with her bright shoes!!

Madison WI wedding photographers

I loved the bodice of Emma’s dress.  So beaded and beautiful!

Wisconsin wedding photographers

The bride was surrounded by friendship.  LOVE.

WI photographers

These little moments are my favorite things to shoot:

WI wedding photographers

I adore weddings in the beautiful Senate Parlor.

Aaaaah that dome!

Madison Capitol Wedding Photographers
WI weddings

I quickly caught this passionate kiss just post-ceremony.  I love love love these little moments!

Weren’t these colors gorgeous??  Orange orchids really brightened up the day!

These GIANT floral pieces really made an impact- it’s tough to fill such a grand space!

Madison wedding photography

These personalized bracelets were one of the prettiest bridesmaid gifts I’ve seen, and they matched the dresses perfectly.

WI wedding photographers
Madison wedding photographer
WI weddings

EVERY time I shoot at the Capitol, my challenge to myself is to find a new angle.  It’s getting tough after 4 years of shooting in Madison, but I still find something new at most of my shoots!

Madison WI wedding photographers
WI wedding photographers

COLORS.  I love color…

Madison winter weddings

Carl’s Cake!!  My favorite!!

I thought that this was one of the most creative guest book ideas I’ve seen in a long time!  What do you think?

Unique wedding guest book ideas
Fun wedding guest books
Wisconsin wedding photographers

To Emma & Ian- I hope you are enjoying your beautiful album!  We had such a lovely day with you guys.  Thank you for brightening up my winter season!

Rio & Tim’s Halloween Wedding Downtown Madison – Wisconsin Wedding Photographers

I feel like a traitor admitting this, but even as a Madisonian I do not often do much for Halloween.  Yes, yes, I know- home of the awesome State Street Halloween festivities and I stay home?  Yes I do!  But…not last year!  Last Halloween I got to hang out with Rio & Tim as they celebrated their wedding with family and friends.  I must say- costume weddings are SO MUCH FUN!  And so laid-back and easy.  Because their ceremony had happened a year earlier, we got together for some portraits before their party started.  We revisited Monona Terrace, where they said their vows in 2011.  After that, it was all par-tay!

I LOVED Rio’s costume- totally custom-made.  Tim was a dashing Sherlock Holmes, but sadly his original (also custom-made) costume didn’t arrive on time.  Boooooo!  (as in thumbs down, not as in ghostly greeting)  …but it was all good. :)

Costume wedding bride and groom
Costume couple wedding portraits

The reception and party were at the Concourse Hotel.  The purple uplighting and the fabulous carved pumpkins were such appropriate decor!

Madison WI Halloween Wedding Decor

Mmmmm, Carl’s Cake….  Love Carl’s Cake!

Wisconsin Wedding Photographers

All of their goodies looked delicious, but my favorite details were the POP ROCKS (throwback!) and the little cakes with “bloody” glass shards in them.  How clever!

Madison wedding photographers

The costumes were all so fabulous that I was thrilled they chose our photo booth to capture them all!

To Rio & Tim- THANK YOU for getting me out of the house for Halloween last year.  It was a blast to celebrate with you guys!

Rachel & Richard’s Wedding at Holy Wisdom Monastery & the Edgewater – Madison Wedding Photographers

Here we go, rolling back once again to last October.  As spring makes its SLOWEST appearance ever, I’m dreaming of warmer days that we left behind in fall!  Who else is excited for spring?

Rachel & Richard were just about the sweetest people you’d ever meet, so spending their wedding day with them was such a gift.  They are quiet and reserved, but full of love that poured out among all their family and friends.  The setting for their ceremony – Holy Wisdom Monastery in Middleton – was just beautiful, and I was grateful that they didn’t mind tramping through the slightly damp fall foliage for some lovely scenic shots.

This beautiful wall of windows overlooks the hill on which the monastery is perched.  

Holy Wisdom Monastery wedding

Such bright colors!  LOVE!

Madison wedding photographers
Wisconsin wedding photography

Cute little ones can’t help but steal the show, huh?

Wisconsin wedding photographers
Madison wedding photographers Holy Wisdom Monastery

It is such a beautiful view on the top of this hill- if you live around Madison, you really must see it!  Gorgeous even when it’s overcast.

Fall weddings in Wisconsin wedding photographers

Rachel was a glowing bride.

WI wedding photographers
Madison wedding photographers

And then there was cake…  And dancing!

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Wedding photography Madison WI

And heartfelt speeches that evoked laughter.

Wisconsin wedding photographers

One of my favorite local DJ’s, Josh of B Kuhl Entertainment, kept the party going and did a great job with the touching anniversary dance.

Wedding photographers Madison WI

To Rachel & Richard, thank you so much for selecting me to spend your special day with you.  It was beautiful!

Kathy & Steve’s Fall Wedding at the Madison Club – Madison Photographer

Although most of the weddings I photograph require 8-10 hours of coverage, there is the occasional smaller event that slips onto my calendar.  I just love intimate weddings!  On a fall day last year, Kathy and Steve gathered their families and very best friends at the Madison Club downtown to witness and celebrate their marriage.  It was such a fun day!  Easy, casual, and all about family.  With a beautiful setting to top it all off, they had the perfect small wedding.

Wisconsin wedding photographers

I fell in love with this silly monkey lamp- perfect for the flower girls’ little green poufs!

The focus was on family, and there were so many children at the wedding.  Loved seeing all their smiley faces!

Documentary wedding photography
Wisconsin wedding photographers

Kathy’s two sons walked her down the aisle.

Madison Club Wedding

Steve’s daughter gave such a heartwarming speech at the end- loved this moment.  Totally made me tear up.

Madison wedding photographers
Wedding photographers Madison Club Wisconsin

Thank you, Kathy & Steve, for sharing your family’s celebration with me!

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