Amanda + Max by Kelsie Herzog

The overall decor inspiration was to capture the cozy feeling of Autumn in an elevated, editorial way.

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…

Max has been in the bar and restaurant industry since college. He is currently the general manager of a bar in Milwaukee with ambitions to open up his own place soon. Amanda spent 8+ years in the advertising/media industry in Chicago before paving a new career path in sales and design in the floral industry. She is currently the Senior Wedding & Event Designer at F4D in Milwaukee and has planned and designed hundreds of weddings to date. They both have an intense passion for what they do, and their love for hospitality and design helped infuse their wedding day with unique and purposeful details. Outside of work, they love to go on hikes with their dog, Nash, try out new bars/restaurants (or hang out at some of their staple spots), and partake in creative outlets like playing the drums (Max) and getting lost in the garden (Amanda).

How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?

Amanda and Max met at the wedding of Max’s cousin, Elle, and Amanda’s good friend from college, Liam, in December 2017. The wedding was in Key West, Florida, and Amanda was a bridesmaid. It was literally love at first sight, and they spent an inseparable week together in Key West before going their respective ways, knowing they would see each other again soon. Amanda lived in Chicago, and Max lived in Milwaukee at the time. They made it official a few weeks later on NYE and proceeded to do a year of long distance before Amanda moved to Milwaukee and moved in with Max.

What styling and visual elements worked best for you? (could be things, the florals, particular hire products or your marquee, etc., something the stylist created or simply just the scenic beauty of your location or the existing design of your venue).

The overall decor inspiration was to capture the cozy feeling of Autumn in an elevated, editorial way. Toasted and neutral hues were the foundation for the floral colour palette, accented by whimsical textures, seasonal textures and interesting ingredients. Decor and attire were kept simple and neutral for a clean, crisp look. Moody elements like smoke, glassware, and matte black accents were incorporated throughout the decor to add contrast and intrigue.

What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?

The planning process was a quick one for the couple. With Amanda being in the wedding industry, she knew exactly what vibe she wanted to create and what vendors she wanted to work with. Max trusted her judgment and let her take the reins on planning. Our words of advice: trust your instincts and be unique. Your wedding should be a direct reflection of your vibe and style. Don’t focus too much on trends. Chances are that if you love something now, you will still love it in 20 years. People are so worried about things being ‘timeless’ that they’re afraid to take chances or do something different. The reality is that in 20 years, your wedding is probably going to look outdated no matter what. You’re going to be the only one looking at your photos in the years to come. Do what feels right to you, and I guarantee your guests will love it now, and you will love it forever.

Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?

Our photographer, Kelsie Herzog, was absolutely amazing. The way she captured our wedding was better than anything we could have imagined. She navigated the chaos of the day with such grace and documented everything from details, to intimate moments, to action shots and even managed to wrangle a rowdy group of 40+ people for a family portrait. Seeing our day through her lens made us feel like we were flipping through a magazine. So beautifully curated and expertly shot. Incorporating film was important to us because we love the ethereal quality it adds. She had at least four cameras around her neck at all times and took each photo with the utmost intention. Our photos are a dreamy collection of editorial shots mixed with unexpected moments that make us smile every time we look at them.

Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?

Amanda first saw her dress on Pinterest when a photo of Danielle Copperman’s wedding popped up on her feed. At the time, she didn’t know the dress was actually attainable. Once she found out that Savannah Miller made replicas of Danielle’s couture dress, she knew it was the one for her. The pearl detail on the zipper was also a sign. Every woman in Amanda’s family has worn pearls on their wedding day, and Amanda knew she wanted to do the same. The pearl detail was a special touch and also tied together the rest of her jewellery. Amanda incorporated a cathedral drop veil for a dramatic, traditional touch. Amanda’s shoes also had a special meaning – the hotel the couple stayed in after they got engaged was the Pendry Hotel in Chicago. The shoes Amanda wore were Vince Camuto Pendry platforms.

Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.

Max created Amanda’s engagement ring with a mix of diamonds given to him by his grandmother and then a centre stone he purchased. Amanda’s wedding ring complements her engagement ring and is a half eternity ring made entirely from diamonds given to Max by his grandmother. The diamonds from his grandmother came from a necklace that Max’s grandfather gifted to Max’s grandmother as a wedding anniversary gift. It was important for Max to create Amanda’s rings with diamonds from his grandmother because he saw this as a blessing for a long, happy marriage like his grandparents had. *Amanda’s actual wedding band is not shown in the photos

What were one or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on? (food, photography, florals, the venue, your outfits?).

Amanda’s wedding dress, our photographer, and the music.

Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?

Our favourite moment was when Amanda walked down the aisle. The string quartet was playing ‘Tonight, Tonight’ by the Smashing Pumpkins, and it felt like a scene from a movie. Amanda’s dad passed away a few years ago, so she walked down w/Max’s dad, which was really special. Amanda’s dad and the couple’s previous dog, Newport, were still there in spirit because Amanda had a photo of them in her mother’s locket that she tied around the stems of her bouquet.

What does being married mean to you, and are there any special rituals you have that you would like to share?

We’ve been together for quite some time, so being married is just the ‘official’ icing on the cake for us. We knew from the moment we met that we would be together from that day forward. We’ve gotten through each day since then with the same mindset. From the tough times to the good times, we’re always there for each other, no matter what.