7.23.2011 ~ Wisconsin Wedding

This wedding has a REALLY personal story to it - and I'm SO happy that I finally have some time to write about it!  Jace and Lacey were married back in July of 2011 (yes, we're still trying to catch up on our blog posts).  My husband and Jace first met back in 2006 when they both joined the National Guard and went to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.  They were assigned as "battle buddies," which means (whether they liked each other or not), they were stuck with each other through all of Basic Training.  They were to help each other, push each other when one would want to give up, and all around be a good support for each other.  Well, luckily it turns out these two got along pretty well, and had similar life values, morals, and life ambitions.  They stayed in touch through the years - and eventually both were deployed at near similar times.  My husband, Mike, deployed to Afghanistan, and Jace deployed to Iraq.  There was a few months of overlap, but they continued to stay in touch throughout their deployments.

This is where Lacey and I become more acquainted.  We had talked here and there over the years, but it was over the mutual life challenge of having our men deployed that really brought us together.  We'd write, message, text, call, and however else we could communicate - we would.  Since my husband had deployed sooner than her (at the time, fiance), she came to me for advice, guidance, and "reality."  For her, it was helpful to hear the truth from someone who had just gone through "this" or "that" stage of deployment.  For me, it was helpful to show strength and be there for someone, when I myself was leaning on her just as equally (although she probably didn't know it).  Through both deployments, challenges, late nights, lots of prayers, and God's grace - our  men came home....which meant it was time for Lacey and Jace to GET MARRIED!  They live in Wisconsin, so Mike and I flew to Wisconsin for the wedding!  It was my first time seeing this part of the world, and the first time ACTUALLY meeting Lacey!  I felt like we've known each other our whole lives - and I was so blessed to be a part of their day, and meet their amazing families and friends.  So....now time for wedding details!

As mentioned before, Lacey and I talked A LOT during the deployment - which was the time in which she was planning her wedding!  I learned that weddings in Wisconsin do things differently than on the west coast, but I loved learning about their traditions.  We'll get to this more later.  :)

They got married at the local little First Baptist Church in Medford, Wisconsin by a long time family friend and pastor, Luke Hatfield.  We had to drive 3 hours from the airport to get to this little town - but I loved the close community feel!  The ceremony was early afternoon, with the reception occurring later in the evening.  This is one of the differences about west coast weddings where they happen "all at once."  The afternoon ceremony allows for family to go home, change if they'd like, rest, and then come back a few hours later for dinner and dancing at the reception.  And I don't just mean 2 hours of dancing, I mean ALL NIGHT of dancing!  The reception went from 5 until well past midnight!  What was amazing was that everyone stays - the whole reception.  People just love hanging out, meeting the other guests, celebrating with the bride and groom - it was SO much fun!  We made some great friends too(yes, that's YOU Melissa & Luke). 

For this wedding, I was more of a "personal assistant."  I got to spend the whole day with Lacey, tending to her needs, making sure things ran on time, running errands, etc.  Considering our visit in general was so short, I loved the chance to get to spend so much time with Lacey, on such an important day.  Lacey did her own makeup, and got her hair done at Encore Hair Studio.  I remember seeing her for the first time in her wedding dress (helping her lace it up), and I started to get teary-eyed.  She looked so stunning, and I know how long they had been waiting for this day to come.  They'd been dating since Jace first entered the army YEARS ago...and "today" was finally here.  She had bought her dress from Charlotte's Bridal and it couldn't have been more perfect for her!  The flowers were from Thomas Floral.  My husband drove Jace, and I drove Lacey so they could have their "first look" at a local park.  It started to rain a little - but that wasn't going to stop us!  It was fun running this "errand" with my husband, texting back and forth, seeing where the other person was, making sure Jace was in position but couldn't see Lacey yet...

The photographer, James, of James Stokes Photography was great to work with! We emailed back and forth prior to the wedding, making sure that all of the important images (the special, non-typical ones) were captured by special request of Lacey and Jace.  Hanging out with James was like hanging out with family! 

After the sentimental ceremony with musicians (friends of the bride and groom, Kevin and Jessica), it was time for bridal party pictures!  Now, usually this can be just "something" that needs to get done - but the couple had picked out the most gorgeous farm I'd ever seen.  It was like out of a movie.  So much history, the rock foundations from 100's of years ago....it was breathtaking.  After a few pictures with Mike and I, we headed off to the reception to make sure it was all set before the guests would arrive.  I know Lacey had been working on a lot of personal details and her friend Julee was helping with all of the decor.  When I saw the reception hall at the Simek Center, I was blown away. When you first walk in, your entryway is lined with their love story.  A 3-D love story with stations, pictures, letters, personal items, you name it.  As you walk along, each "station" has a story about how they met, their first job together, the first date, the deployment, the proposal....the WHOLE story from when they met until today.  What a great way to greet your guests!  Then, as you enter the actual hall, they had white fabric draping the ceiling, lights everywhere, the most stunning birdcage for their cards, a "love notes" section instead of a guest book, and the list goes on and on.  I love details and this wedding was overflowing with personal touches!  The Simek Center not only was the reception site, but they also took care of the bartending, catering, cheesecake (yes, cheesecake - since that's how Jace proposed), rental items, and lots more!

Something else that was unique was that children are a big focus point at the reception.  The whole party starts off with an hour or so of events for kids.  The DJ, Dream Productions by Scott Woller, did such a great job of keeping the kids entertained with things from hula-hoop competitions to trivia to dance-offs.  It was hilarious!  He kept the party going all night, well past midnight!  Part of the reception is where the whole bridal party is announced, make a "tunnel," and then the bride and groom walk underneath the tunnel. 

Their wedding favors for their guests were mini bottles of homemade wine.  That's right - wine!  There were tons of flavors to choose from too: raspberry, blueberry, and lots more!  We got a few bottles to take home (and let me tell you...it was yummy)!  The best man (Luke, mentioned previously) had the best, best man speech - full with a plaque of the "story" for the groom!  There were so many great memories to the day, I simply can't write about them all - but I think you get the idea.

Jace and Lacey - Mike and I can't thank you enough for not only being a part of our lives, but allowing us to share your day with you.  It was a trip to remember forever, to celebrate the union of friends that we'll have for a lifetime.  We wish you two continued love and blessings - and can't wait to see you again!