Appleton Wedding Photographers | A summer wedding at The 513

We are Appleton Wedding Photographers, Morgan and Ryan.

We met working in the news industry, and now we travel all over Wisconsin capturing love stories! Our home base is in Madison, but I (Morgan) am originally from Oshkosh, so we travel to Northeast Wisconsin often! Photographing in Appleton and its surrounding areas feels like home. We had the pleasure of being Sara and Austin’s wedding photographers. They got married at The 513 in Appleton, and had the most beautiful summer day!

Love at First Sight

When I met Sara and Austin at their engagement session, Austin told me he had planned to be a bachelor until he was 30. That all changed the moment he met Sara. Some things don’t go according to plan. In the best way possible.

They both say it was love at first sight, and I believe them. Sara and Austin fully love everyone around them – they are compassionate, sweet, kind, affectionate and giggly with each other (which makes photographing them very easy!).

I would have loved to be a fly on the wall when they had that love-at-first-sight moment. I can only imagine these two falling instantly in love with each other. The smiles, the giggles, the blushing, the butterflies. They met while working at Menards together (surprisingly, not our only Menard’s couple!).

At the time, Austin was campaigning for student body president and asked Sara to help him. He proceeded to let go of all of his other volunteers so she would be the only one. Eventually, he proposed at the gorgeous Paine Art Center in Oshkosh. A week before that, Sara mentioned that they should get engaged soon. Austin said, “okay, how about next Friday?” She didn’t think he was being serious.

Appleton Wedding Photography

Sara and Austin had a breathtaking wedding in Appleton in June. They held their entire day at The 513, a beautiful all-in-one wedding venue downtown on College Ave. We did get a chance to sneak out in the afternoon for their wedding party and couple’s pictures in some gorgeous wedding photography locations around town – specifically, on Lawrence University’s campus (love the pillars on the Memorial Chapel!).

My absolute favorite part of the day was when Sara had the idea to hop on over to the candy shop (Crazy Sweet) across the street from The 513 during the reception. She said they go to that candy shop all the time, so it was fitting! We traded the bouquet for a giant lollipop in some photos, and I could not love them more! Scroll to see what I’m talking about.

That moment just speaks to how fun-loving and sweet (no pun intended) these two are. They even had little dinosaur details sprinkled throughout their wedding because they love dinos that much (take a look at their cake topper!). They were so happy, positive, grateful, and kind throughout the entire day – Austin always stopping to tell Sara how beautiful she looked, and Sara saying, “nooo, you look so handsome!”

My Favorite Part of the Wedding Day

As Appleton wedding photographers, The 513 has quickly become one of our favorite Appleton wedding venues. I live for the “getting ready” portion of the day – the details, the jitters, the excitement, and just hanging out with those closest to you before things get really busy. The 513 has a gorgeous bridal suite. White walls, tons of natural light (with curtains that act as perfect diffusers!), a beautiful chandelier. It’s simple, yet elegant and oh-so bridal.

Sara had been dreaming of her wedding day for a very long time, and I love that she took so many moments to pause and soak it all in. She kept saying “I’m having my bridal moment!” Some of my favorite photographs from the day were taken in that bridal suite. I think they perfectly represent Sara’s bridal moments. From spending time with her girls, to getting dressed with her mom, to her first look with her dad, to her precious first look with her bridesmaids.

And speaking of that first look, you have to scroll down to see the reaction of her bridesmaids. While I will always love any first look, the bridesmaid first look might be my favorite. The reactions are priceless. Sara’s maid of honor and childhood friend cried tears of joy all day. I just love that kind of friendship.

Planning Your Appleton Wedding

While you are planning your Appleton wedding, make sure you take your dream photography into account. Take a look at everything from the bridal suite to the photography spots just outside the venue, and if you are able to easily travel to other beautiful Appleton photography locations.

Sara and Austin chose The 513 because of its beautiful interior – the fact that it’s bright and open. They loved the grand staircase (Sara had many Cinderella moments on this staircase!). And it was also important to them that it could easily hold all of their wedding guests.

When I asked Sara what she was most looking forward to for their Appleton wedding, she said:

“I am really, really excited to be married. My mom always told me, when I was little, that I cannot be excited to get married for the wedding. You have to be excited to BE MARRIED. I couldn’t imagine my life without Austin, and I am so excited to become his wife.”

We love that advice, and we know these two will live by it. Sara and Austin, thank you for allowing us to be a part of your journey!

Be sure to check out Sara and Austin’s engagement session at Doty Park in Neenah!