Magical School Forest Wedding and Powers Bluff Reception // Marshfield, WI // Jessy + Austin

I have been a wedding photographer for more years than I care to admit (I’m not trying to feel old here….) and there are some that just stick with me through the years. I know this will be one of them. Jessy and Austin were so intentional about their day. Every detail was thought out and personal and the whole day was beautiful and exactly what they wanted.

We started the day in their home. Which is probably one of the coolest places I’ve ever been. It’s an old octagonal home that they have been fixing up and adding their own personality to. It’s amazing and I am obsessed.

You know your girl was trying to be best friends with this cat all morning long. I absolutely love moments like this. The ones that aren’t planned. The pictures you anticipate and have to wait for. It’s all about instinct and reacting rather than planning. I love working that way and luckily Jessy and Austin planned their wedding day out in a way that allowed room for me to work exactly the way I like.

Jessy is a teacher and the school forest is very special to her. I can’t think of a better venue for their ceremony. It’s gorgeous and sentimental.

The greenest and lushest ferns make for the perfect backdrop for some bridal portraits! And Jessy was made for portraits!

THIS FIRST LOOK!!!! Everyone was crying. This is a perfect example of why you should do a first look. If you’re on the fence just look at these photos. Seriously. I am also a big fan of first looks because you have the chance to do private vows or read letters to each other and just have some more one on one time. Alone time can be hard to come by on your wedding day so carving out little times throughout the day is super important.

Instead of a traditional bouquet of flowers, Jessy foraged some ferns from the school forest and carried those around all day. And can I just say it was absolute perfection?! We love an untraditional and unique bouquet situation.

Jessy and Austin were best friends in middle school. They didn’t know it then but they had secret crushes on each other. Neither of them were ever brave enough to make the first move. But luckily after moving away for a few years, Austin came back to the area and they finally went on their first date. They rest is history and they’ve been together ever since.

There is a beautiful pond at the school forest in Marshfield and it made for the perfect backdrop for the wedding ceremony. There is a dock and built in benches and it was just absolutely perfect.

Like I said, these two were very thoughtful about their day. They care about the planet and sustainability. So for their favor and gift to their guests, they thrifted a bunch of mugs and glasses and had people give them unwanted drinkware and then each guest picked a glass to use for the night and take home. I absolutely loved this idea for a wedding favor. And I still use my moose mug alllll the time! It’s one of my favorites and I can’t help but smile each time I use it.

If you’re not from Central Wisconsin you might no be familiar with Powers Bluff. It is notorious for intense winter tubing and this pavilion usually smells like wet boots. But hot damn! Jessy and Austin took this diamond in the rough and turned it into the most gorgeous affordable wedding venue! They used string lights and candles and ferns to doll up this county park and make it a beautiful and unique reception location.

Powers Bluff has never looked so good! This is just a great example that you can plan your wedding and reception and make it look amazing and still stick to your budget.

This sweetheart table was perfect for their dinner. A little space so the bride and groom have time to breathe and catch up and have a little room from everyone.

There were a couple things that were extremely important to Jessy and Austin for their wedding day. One of them was food! They needed to have a delicious dinner. Finding a caterer that matched what they were looking for was difficult. Until they asked the crew from Pizza Brutta in Madison if they would cater. They hauled a wood fire oven all the way up to Marshfield Wisconsin and cranked out the most amazing dinner ever!

Try not to lick the screen while staring at these photos of the wood fire pizza. I’m not sure why couples think of pizza as just a late night snack at their wedding receptions. Everyone loves pizza. Just make it your main dinner!

To all my couples getting hitched- please oh please oh please! Sneak away for photos at sunset. All the pressure is off. You are relaxed. You are gearing up for the party portion of the night. These are always my favorite portraits from the day.

If you want some good portraits you can’t be afraid to get your wedding clothes dirty. Just trust me.