Rachel Ansay will never underestimate the importance of “location, location, location.”
On her first day of work at her father’s Wisconsin insurance brokerage in 2013, Ansay, 28, glanced across her desk at Alan Neva, also 28, a Chicagoan whose family owns Northwest Meat Company (which serves iconic restaurants like Gene & Georgetti, Quartino and Rosebud Restaurants). “I like to say we were strategically placed,” she jokes. “I’m short and he’s tall, and we have lower set cubicles, so I would put my chair up high so he could see me a little bit.” It did the trick: The couple started dating shortly after, and two years later, Neva proposed following a horse-drawn carriage ride in New York City’s Central Park.
Set in the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts in Milwaukee, their wedding late last year was like a “fairy tale in a forest,” the bride says. The space was decorated with heavy greenery and white blooms.
Though they live in Milwaukee, the couple’s nuptials honored Neva’s hometown, too, from the beef tenderloin dish by his family’s company to the custom flower design on the invitations by Chicago company Erickson Design, which was then recreated on the white frosted chocolate cake.
Photos by Eron and Lidia of Front Room Photography
It’s in the details
Bride’s gown: Lela Rose, Gigi of Mequon, 1550 W. Mequon, Mequon, Wisconsin; Gigiofmequon.com
Bride’s shoes: Tory Burch, Nordstrom, 55 E. Grand; Shop.nordstrom.com
Bride’s hair & makeup: Impressions, 11134 N. Cedarburg, Mequon, Wisconsin; Impressionsdayspa.com
Groom’s & groomsmen’s attire: Men’s Warehouse, 535 N. Michigan, Menswearhouse.com; The Tie Bar, Thetiebar.com
Bridesmaids’ dresses: BHLDN, 8 E. Walton; Bhldn.com
Wedding planner: Michelle Durpetti, Michelle Durpetti Events; Durpettievents.com
Rings: Armbruster Jewelers, W62 N620 Washington, Cedarburg, Wisconsin, Armbrusterjewelers.com; Elkhorn Antique Flea Market, 411 E. Court, Elkhorn, Wisconsin, Nlpromotionsllc.com
Catering: Sazama’s Fine Catering, 929 N. Water, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Sazs.com/sazamas
Cake & cupcakes: Classy Girl Cupcakes, 825 N. Jefferson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Classygirlcupcakes.com
Decor & floral: Erin McDonald Design; Erinmcdonald.design
Entertainment: Eddie Butts Band; Eddiebuttsband.com
Invitations: Erickson Design, 1229 N. North Branch; Ericksondesign.com
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