Nicole and Mike were married on August 25^th, with a ceremony and reception at the Ingleside Hotel in Pewaukee, Wisconsin.

Nicole + Mike | Ingleside Hotel Wedding Photography

It was a super hot Wisconsin summer day at the Ingleside Hotel , but the heat definitely couldn’t stop Mike’s enthusiasm. He had me grinning most of the day with his vibrant personality—especially when I saw a book he had called the “Groom’s Instruction Manual.” I don’t think he actually read it; it was probably there for comedic effect. But it was so funny we just had to get a picture with it!

I’m not sure if this was covered in his groom’s instruction manual, but one of Mike’s buttons fell right off of his suit coat! Thankfully, I happened to have a needle and thread in my bag, so I was able to stitch it back on. Crisis averted. I like to be prepared in case of wedding emergencies so I can help out with more than just the photography! Mike laughed it off like a champ, and we got right back to the business of celebrating!

All through their wedding day, there were so many “aww” moments. I always know that my heart’s going to melt when a bride walks down the aisle and locks gazes with her groom, but the look on Mike’s face—wow! It was so obvious he was over the moon in love with her. The way he looked at her was so full of love and adoration that it made me smile every time. And Nicole was perfectly happy too, even if she was a little more reserved about it. They were so happy to be getting married.

I took Nicole and Mike aside to get pictures of just them, with no one else around. This is one of my favorite parts of any wedding day, because it gives my couples a chance to soak in the day, enjoy one another—and give me really awesome images, too! For these two, it was like watching that moment when Nicole walked down the aisle all over again—and that same joy was on display in the first dance, too. 

This wedding was also a celebration of family, including the ones that couldn’t be there to celebrate the big day. I loved that Mike had a single rose and an empty chair set aside for his grandma. It was heartfelt and overwhelmingly beautiful. 

Pewaukee Wedding Photography

Thank you, Nicole & Mike, for sharing your joy with me. Thanks also to my second shooter, Cassie, for helping me cover this amazing day!