Early Summer Wedding | The Howard | Oshkosh Wedding Photographer
The humidity was hot and heavy the first week of June at The Howard in Oshkosh for Raelynn and Nick’s wedding. With their original photographer suddenly unavailable, Raelynn and Nick reached out to Sara June Photography excited to know I love The Howard, and am familiar with photographing weddings there. The historical venue’s architecture is not only visually interesting, but their vintage basement bowling alley has special meaning to Raelynn and Nick.
Their Story
On the same youth bowling team in since she was 12 years old, Raelynn and Nick were only teammates and competitors until four year later. A conversation starting about bowling turned into fourteen hours getting to know each other. Nick later proposed under the Christmas tree in 2019 (an especially emotional one – the first one without Raelynn’s dad, Robert); a stunning ring from Zales in hand and a speech carefully rehearsed. With their song playing in the background, surrounded by family, and everyone in their pajamas Raelynn said yes through lots of happy tears!
Their Wedding
Raelynn and Nick jumped into wedding planning, and even with the pandemic throwing everyone for a loop, their planning paid off! The couple knew they wanted a sophisticated and romantic wedding day, so they worked with Robin’s Nest Floral to create the perfect decor, complementing the vintage architecture of The Howard. Although the humidity and heat threatened the reception with droopy floral arrangements, the high-end vendors made the flowers beautiful, the Disney theme pop, and the little details did not go unnoticed.
Not only did the florals make their reception space gorgeous, but so did their Disney theme, sprinkled throughout, like their Mickey and Minnie cake topper! Their laser cut invitations from Insta Print Plus included elegant script-font. And the cake: magnificent! The pastry chef, Kari, at SAP custom made a delicious four-tiered cake with a different colored ribbon around each layer. She made each tier a different flavor: cookies and cream, funfetti, red velvet, and of course, chocolate!
After all the careful planning, Raelynn and Nick were happy to finally celebrate their summer wedding after eleven years together. Raelynn and her bridesmaids got ready at Salon Aura. Three bridesmaids wore teal, while the other two wore purple Mori Lee Bridal dresses. The maid of honor and best man both wore emerald green. Raelynn’s wedding dress was absolutely gorgeous. Beautiful, long sleeved, and lacey, she looked like an elegant Disney princess in her Venus Bridal gown.
Remembering Dad
Before the ceremony, Raelynn’s mother and her sister who was also her maid of honor, Holly, shared a sweet and teary-eyed first look together, remembering and honoring her dad. Not expecting the wave of emotion, Raelynn took a moment before entering The Howard while her mom and sister consoled and fixed her makeup.
The Ceremony and Reception
Matrimony Mike customized the entire ceremony, including lots of lighthearted bowling puns! Nick couldn’t take his eyes off his stunning new bride. Raelynn’s brother Chad did a reading, a unity candle was lit, and the ceremony ended with a long train passing by The Howard – another happistance tribute to Raelynn’s late father who loved everything about trains.
After the ceremony, we went to a park along the shores of Lake Winnebago. The persistent breeze definitely cooled us off, and created stunning movement in Raelynn’s veil for their couple portraits. Raelynn switched between wearing her Kate Spade/Keds shoes and her Badgley Mischka flats – she even walked barefoot for awhile! Her and Nick are very excited to use some of these lakeside wedding photos for their thank you cards.
Requesting some direction in front of the camera, the newlyweds relaxed during their photoshoot, especially when we ventured to The Howard’s refurbished bowling alley downstairs, remembering how they met.
Dinner was family style, catered by The Howard. The couple chose a chicken and beef option, sauteed green beans, asparagus, mashed potatoes, and a delicious salad. Once dinner wrapped up and there were toasts from Holly and the best man, Don, parent dances and the first dance kicked off the party.
Congratulations Raelynn and Nick! Your summer wedding was regal and romantic. Enjoy your two-week honeymoon relaxing and exploring Florida and the wonderful land of Disney!
Our Vendor Team
Location: The Howard, in Oshkosh
Florist: Robin’s Nest Floral
Cake/Dessert: Kari Mueller from SAP
Hair & Makeup: Salon Aura
Catering: The Howard
Rentals/Linens: “I Do” A Decorating & Rental Service
Wedding Dress: Venus Bridal
Bridesmaids Dresses: Mori Lee Bridal
Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka and Kate Spade/Keds
Jewelry/Rings: Zales
Groom’s Suit and Shoes: Du Bois Formalwear
Invitations/Programs: Insta Print Plus
Officiant: Matrimony Mike aka Mike Damro
DJ: Yo DJ
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