Weddingbee boards

Hi MissVintage!

I also had a Madison area wedding, and wanted outdoors as well.  My wedding was a vintage theme (something you might appreciate!), so I actually moved it about 30 minutes outside of Madison, to Columbus.  The reason was the venue: a gorgeous, historic ballroom with beautiful huge windows, a stage (for the DJ), and a beautiful park with a stream.  

We rented white chairs from the nearby hardware store, and all my girls and I had brunch and got ready a few blocks away at the Columbus Carriage House B&B.  The owner was wonderful, and even let us finish assembling bouquets, do our hair, and get ready in the parlor and our rented room.  Then, we all met up and everyone headed over to the Fireman's Park (site of the gorgeous ballroom and our outdoor ceremony.)  My dad and the two kids (RB/FG) took a horse and carriage over to the park.  Bonus: $350 was the rental for the entire day, plus we could have our own bar AND caterer!   It included tables and chairs- we just needed to rent linens and do the work ourselves.

We had a harpist- cheaper and just as great a sound as a string quartet.  Rachel Avery in Madison was wonderful and even arranged a couple songs just harp, just for us.  (You can Google her and she pops up.) 

Other vendors: cake- Carl's Cake was the bestest.

DJ: www.msldj.com, Eric Fischer is one of the best DJ's I've seen.  (And I'm a wedding photographer, so I see a LOT of weddings!) 

Flowers: DIY with www.flowersandfreshness.com.  Very inexpensive way to do flowers if you or any of your girls are even a little bit crafty.

Photographer: A good photographer friend of mine is Mandie from Red Gecko Studios, or you can check my profile for my website.  :)  

 Hmm, that's all I can think of right now, but if you have any more questions.  I do see quite a few weddings so I have lots of great resources/contacts.

Oh, and another option for outdoors: The Gundry House in Mineral Point, or Olbrich Gardens in Madison, or Allen Centennial Gardens in Madison.  Good luck! 

Here's what I'm using for my September wedding in Madison:

Ceremony: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Reception: Monona Terrace
Photographer: Jessica Quist Photography (from Milwaukee)
Cake: Craig's Cakes
Florist: Garden Laurels by Donna Sager
DJ: Jukebox Bandstand

I'm getting married next year at Olbrich.  It's gorgeous, but it books up quickly and isn't cheap http://olbrich.org/rentals/weddings.cfm  We're only doing the ceremony there to save on costs.  You also have to rent the chairs, though you can split it with couples who are getting married on the same day.  They have a private dressing room with restrooms right nearby.  Also you get the use of the Atrium in case of rain.

There are also tons of parks to rent http://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/index.htm as well as smaller community facitilities like the Monona community building http://www.monona.wi.us/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={91CE35B4-BEC5-4E5F-8F01-BD639A70CA9A}

Quivey's Grove is also quite lovely but pricey http://www.quiveysgrove.com/weddings/wedding_frame.htm

Good luck!

I am getting married in Milwaukee, but I know most of my vendors would travel. 

Muscari - My florist is absolutely amazing - she is incredibly creative and will give you the most for whatever budget you have. http://www.mymuscari.com/

Tamera's Cakes - My cake is from a cake shop in Oshkosh (my home town), but she obviously travels as well.  She does really funky and unique cakes and her prices are excellent. <font color="#008000">www.cakeguru.com</font>

Gebb's Total Video - My videographer is perhaps more excited about my wedding than I am.  His work is outstanding and so far he has been a blast to work with.  He is based out of St. Louis area, but travels. http://www.gebbsweddingfilms.com/

John Griffin Photography - My photographer is based out of San Francisco but is traveling for our wedding.  He also has been so easy to work with and I absolutely love his work!  www.johngriffinphotography.com

Let me know if you need any other vendor suggestions!

One of my good friends is a photographer in Sun Prairie.  She is pretty new to the business so her prices are really reasonable.

Kristi Schalow:
http://kristischalowphotography.com/

Hope that helps!