A Whimsical Wedding at Bennett Barn in Watertown

How They Met

When Val and Chris matched on eHarmony, they instantly knew they were meant for one another. Val, a Milwaukeean since birth, and Chris, who was born in Minnesota and eventually landed a job in Milwaukee, fell in love and, as fate would have it, became engaged.

The Engagement

On the night Chris proposed, he surprised Val by making her all-time favorite meal, sushi — or so she thought. As he was cooking rice on the stove, he asked Val to flip to the recipe in the cookbook. When she approached the final pages, she realized Chris had cut out a small section and tucked the ring inside. The clever, romantic scheme amazed Val, who, of course, said yes. And as it turned out, Chris actually had takeout sushi in the fridge for them to enjoy

The Rehearsal Dinner

Chris and Val held their rehearsal dinner at Rock River Pizza in Watertown, which, sadly, has permanently closed its doors. Everyone present enjoyed delicious pizzas, drinks, and conversation the evening before the big day.

The Ceremony and Reception

Chris and Val’s wedding was at Bennett Barn in Watertown. The ceremony and reception were whimsical and fun, which is exactly how the couple imagined their wedding day would be. They wrote their own vows and exchanged them in private rather than out loud over the microphone. The bridesmaids, groomsmen, and their parents formed a semicircle around them, creating an extra special, memorable moment for all.

The reception was completely nontraditional, not to mention an absolute blast — filled with plenty of dancing, an ice sculpture, basketball, outdoor lawn games, and Nintendo. “I wanted it to be different and outside-the-box,” says Val. The table decorations were also quirky and unique: spray painted dinosaurs, teacups filled with flowers atop stacks of books. The bouquets were made of dried billy balls.

The Food and Drinks

Food trucks served comfort dishes like macaroni and cheese with Andouille sausage, mushroom risotto, gourmet sandwiches, and meat skewers. Appetizers included a variety of meats and cheeses and freshly baked bread and olive oil. In lieu of cake, guests enjoyed donuts. Pretzel sticks with Nutella and cheese dipping sauces from Milwaukee Pretzel Company were the sweet and savory late night snack. Chris, a passionate home brewer, served three different styles of his beer, along with wine, soda, sangria, old fashioneds, and signature drinks.

The Invitations

A lot of thought was put into the save the dates and invitations, both of which were designed by Val herself. She also handmade the backdrop for the ceremony, the bridal party’s earrings, and her own veil. She embellished her wedding shoes, which were simple flats she glued lace onto.

The Honeymoon

After they said their I do’s, Chris and Val honeymooned in Maui, Hawaii. Their first stay was at the Octagon Suite at the Aromatherapy School of Maui. Then, they spent the second half of their trip in paradise at a beach house in Paia.

Words of Wisdom

“Enjoy it!” Val advised. “Once it was over, I felt a little sad. I didn’t know what to do with myself,” she admitted. “I had spent so much time prepping the DIY items and planning our perfect day. What do I do now? Well, it’s just as fun now — we can just relax and enjoy each other. Also, make sure the day is what you and your future spouse want. We did exactly what we wanted and I’m so happy looking back, knowing that we did it for us.”

Chris and Val’s wedding was everything they had dreamed of and more. The photos and videos captured the pure happiness of the couple, the bridal party, and every single guest.

This article was originally featured in Premier Bride of Milwaukee and Northeast Wisconsin,