oconomowoc lake club wedding (chelsea + tommy are married!) – lake country, wisconsin wedding photographers

Chelsea + Tommy met 8 and ½ years ago at Colby College in Waterville, Maine.  When Chelsea tells the story, she says, “He was wearing a graphic tee that read “It’s Always a Pleasure…” and the rest is history.  Just kidding!  He really was wearing a graphic tee, though, and proceeded to try and get me to dump my then-current boyfriend for the next two years.”  (Nice one, Tommy!)  It wasn’t until after graduation when they were conveniently living halfway across the country from one another that they decided to ‘give it a go’.  “We fell in love over Skype, endless phones calls, and weekend visits that always felt much too short.  Tommy moved to Chicago.  And I decided I didn’t want to spend another day of my life with anyone else.  The rest really is history….”

When you’re with these two, the chemistry is just there.  Tommy gets weepy.  Chelsea gets teary and then bursts out laughing.  These guys are totally in love, and have a remarkable respect and appreciation for each other.  After we hung out with them for their engagement session, we just knew that their wedding day would be divine.  And it was.  “From start to finish our wedding day was perfect,” they recall “…the very best people in the world surrounded us as we promised to love each other forever.  We ate incredible food, shared many laughs (and tears), and danced until we were kicked out.”  (Some of our personal favorite moments of the day; Chelsea + Tommy’s private ‘first look’ moments, as well as Chelsea’s dance with her dad… those two can move!)

When we asked if Chelsea + Tommy had any advice for other couples who were in the midst of their engagement/wedding planning season, they said one of the most profound + truth-filled things we’ve ever heard our couples say: “If you’re able, don’t start planning right away. Take at least a few weeks (or a few months in our case) and just enjoy being engaged. Enjoy the excitement and the newness of taking the next step. Enjoy each other. However, once you do start planning, our biggest piece of advice would be to be patient. Be patient with yourself, your fiancé, your mom, your soon to be mother-in-law, your friends….etc. It’s an overwhelmingly exciting time in your life (and everyone else’s) – things will go right and things will go wrong (hopefully only a few of them). Cherish each moment and each decision. It goes by in the blink of an eye. And when the day rolls around be sure to soak it all in, relax, roll with the punches. It will be perfect no matter what.”

Chelsea + Tommy, we love your attitudes.  We love the whimsy you share as you do life together.  We’ve so enjoyed getting to know you through the past year, and we are pretty keen to take you up on your dinner invitation as soon as we get back from Australia.  😉  It’s a date, k?  Much love to you both.. xo

as an added PS, we’re so excited to say that Chelsea + Tommy’s gorgeous wedding day was featured on Style Me Pretty!  check out their full feature post here.

Photographers – Caroline + Jayden of Woodnote Photography

Videographer – Northernlight Filmworks

Wedding lanner – Canvas by Corinne VanArsdale

Rentals – A La Crate Vintage Rentals

Chelsea’s Dress – Watters

Chelsea’s shoes – Ivanka Trump

Chelsea’s Earrings – MillieICARO (via Etsy)

Tommy’s Suit – Joseph A. Banks

Tommy’s Shoes – Allen Edmonds

Groomsmen’s suits – Joseph A. Banks

Bridesmaid’s gowns –Bill Levkoff

Bridesmaids Jewellery – Ava Hope Designs (via Etsy)

Hair Styling – The Yellow House Salon

Makeup artist – Kristal Sherman

Flowers- Deb Donaldson of Petal Pushers

Stationery & Paper Goods – Monograham (in Delafield, WI)

Ceremony & Reception Venue – Oconomowoc Lake Club

Celebrant/Officiant- Eoin Callery (our friend)

Ceremony & Reception Music – Okyne Medialab

Wedding favors – The Caramel Jar (via Etsy)

Cake – The Cake Lady

Wedding Rings – Luo M. Jewlers (Chicago, IL)

Transport – Enterprise

Wedding Registry – Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, Best Buy

Processional – Van Morrison’s Crazy Love

First Dance – Adele’s Make You Feel My Love