A bride and groom dancing with love down by the Mighty Mississippi at a wedding reception.

Love down by the Mighty Mississippi

 

Pettibone Wedding Pettibone Wedding Pettibone Wedding Pettibone Wedding Pettibone Wedding

Pettibone Wedding Pettibone Wedding Pettibone Wedding Pettibone Wedding Pettibone Wedding Ceremony at Pettibone Ceremony at Pettibone

Ceremony at Pettibone Ceremony at Pettibone Ceremony at Pettibone Ceremony at Pettibone Ceremony at Pettibone Ceremony at Pettibone Ceremony at Pettibone Ceremony at Pettibone Reception at Pettibone Reception at Pettibone Reception at Pettibone

Reception at Pettibone Reception at Pettibone Reception at Pettibone Reception at Pettibone Reception at Pettibone Reception at Pettibone Reception at Pettibone

 

 

 

 

“Love down by the Mighty Mississippi”

Pettibone Resort Wedding

August 11, 2018

Swartz

Mike + Jessica

With her long ash blonde hair loosely curled, half pinned back beneath her delicate white veil and pearl and diamond flowery hair piece, Jessica sat in a suite of the boutique hotel, The Charmant, in historic downtown, La Crosse, Wisconsin, overlooking the mighty Mississippi River. Wearing a cranberry colored kimono-style robe with pops of brightly colored flowers, the bride got her makeup applied as her bridesmaids prepped for the approaching wedding ceremony, and “Say Yes to the Dress” played on the wall-mounted television in the background.

The Charmant is a charming venue for wedding festivities – whether it be pre-ceremony activities in one of the 67 luxurious guest room, first looks in The Parlour downstairs, or for smaller ceremonies and receptions. The exposed brick in the historic building – a renovated candy factory constructed in 1898 – adds character to photos, especially paired with the unique décor and moody hues and textiles. Many rooms at The Charmant seem ideally designed for bridal parties – large enough for everyone to move about without stumbling over each other. We’ve worked with their team on several occasions, and have been impressed each time.

Jessica looked calm and blissful as one of the women in her bridal party buttoned the back of her dreamy ivory lace and bead-detailed wedding gown. Her smile beamed as her bridesmaids, wearing their cranberry-red hued dresses, looked onto their beautiful friend before she headed to Pettibone Resort, where Mike was waiting to get a glimpse of his soon-to-be wife before the two exchanged vows.

Located on the west channel of the Mississippi River, Pettibone Resort’s banquet hall overlooks the river, providing an enchanting view, whether your ceremony is indoor or outdoor. The high arches inside the banquet and glimmering of the reflecting off the river during the day and sparkle of the lights in the room in the evening provide a breathtaking frame for your big day. There’s seating available for up to 200 guests and with an elegant in-house Bridal Suite and décor available for rent, on top of a dance floor, stage, and in-house sound system, and bar (just to name a few things!) the Pettibone Resort has the ability to be a “one-stop-shop” for your wedding day! Plus, it’s conveniently just minutes away from downtown La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Mike stood outside in his dark grey suit and cranberry colored tie, surrounded by luscious greenery, facing the Mississippi River, anxiously awaiting Jessica’s arrival. When he looked at her, he grinned so big that his eyes partially closed and they embraced, Jessica smiling from ear-to-ear with her head nestled into his chest. After sharing a kiss, he stepped back, hands on her arms, awing at her appearance. The two passionately embraced again, enjoying this brief time together before Jessica dashed back to the Bridal Suite to hide while guests arrived to Pettibone Resort.

Mike greeted each one of his groomsmen differently as they arrived to the altar, eliciting smiles from on looking guests, who were perfectly shaded from the sun beneath the river’s edge tall trees. The flower girl dusted rose petals down the aisle sparingly as she walked towards Mike and the wedding party with another young girl who was carrying the rings, both looking cute as a buttons the whole way! The guest arose as Jessica made her way down to the altar with her father, carrying a stunning bouquet of bright flowers – shades of red wine, pinks, and pops of whites, yellows, and greens. Mike beamed as they approached. The bride linked arms with her father and soon-to-be husband as they bowed in prayer before the ceremony got underway. The two exchanged heartfelt, hand-written vows in front of their loved ones, before exchanging rings and being pronounced husband and wife, sharing their first smooch as a married couple.

When we got the newlyweds together for some photos alone, you could really sense the powerful dynamic of this couple. Their bond and comfort in each other was in sync, the two of them rarely unlinked physically during our time together. The pre-sunset time of the day made for dreamy lighting by the Mississippi River’s edge, with streams of sunlight sneaking through tree branches, creating timeless looking images. The landscape surrounding Pettibone Resort is a Midwesterner’s summer dream – quiet, vast, and green scenery – SO many shades of green growing and flourishing. It was movie-like serene. The detailing of Jessica’s gown glistened as the sunlight bounced off the embellishments. (Do you get what I’m saying?!…It was A DREAM guys! The type of scenery you can’t afford to imagine on a cold Wisconsin day, because it makes you want summer down to your deepest core.)

A plethora of cupcakes of various flavorings tantalized guests as they enjoyed dinner, while some hit the sweets early – nibbling on M+M’s at the table that were designed with sketches of the couple on them. As many members of the bridal party sipped on beer in glass steins, the groom’s best man shared during part of his speech that Mike had said pretty early on in the relationship that he was going to marry Jessica. While it may have come across as a hefty statement at the time, everyone was glad to celebrate that early prediction come into fruition on this gorgeous August evening.

Congratulations Mike and Jessica, it was our pleasuring capturing the moments during your wedding day!

 

Scroll to Top