What This Year Taught Us About Weddings | Reflections From a Milwaukee Wedding Planner
As a wedding planner and wedding vendor, this time of year brings reflection. It’s almost impossible to scroll without seeing year-end recaps filled with numbers–how many weddings planned, how many timelines created, how many coffees consumed, how many venues worked at.
We love seeing these reflections. And we are very proud of our numbers in 2025 (well, maybe not the coffee consumption) but this year we wanted to do something a little different. As we look forward to 2026, we want to focus on intention, quality, and connection.
After 10 years of HFE–and another 8 years before that working in weddings and events, we’ve learned that the most valuable takeaways from a season aren’t found in statistics (even though we do love numbers). They’re found in the quiet moments, the behind the scenes decisions, the intentional listening to our clients in meetings, and the lessons that each wedding continues to teach us.
Experience doesn’t mean you stop learning
With nearly two decades in the industry, we are as experienced as it comes among Milwaukee wedding planners and throughout Wisconsin. And yet, after every single wedding, we still look inward.
- What worked beautifully
- What could have been handled differently
- Where our clients felt the most supported
- How the wedding landscape in our area and with our clients is changing–and how we need to evolve with it
That intentional reflection after every event is what keeps our planning process thoughtful, relevant and aligned with what today’s couples truly value.
What this year reinforced for us
This year reaffirmed some core truths we believe wholeheartedly as an experienced wedding planner serving couples in Milwaukee and beyond:
Guests remember how a wedding felt, not just how it looked. Perfect details fade, but warmth, joy and connection linger long after the day is over.
The calmest wedding days always begin with the right level of support. When couples work with an experienced wedding planner and feel supported throughout the planning process, the wedding day flows naturally and stress is minimized. The more couples let us take on in the planning process, the less stress the couples feel on the wedding day.
Overstuffed timelines do not create better experiences–for you, your wedding party, your families, or your guests. Thoughtful pacing, padded timelines, and intentional breaks for you to step away from the business with your new spouse will allow moments to unfold organically, you to feel more present in your day, and guests to enjoy a relaxed celebration. It also allows for small delays throughout the day to happen without derailing the timeline.
When couples fully trust their planner and the vendor team we help them curate, communication improves, expectations align, personalities jive, and the entire experience feels more intentional, grounded, joyful, and FUN!
Some of the most meaningful wedding moments cannot be planned or posed. When couples are fully present–rather than striving for perfection–they experience their day more fully, enjoy it more, and regret less.
Why reflection matters to us as a seasoned wedding planning company
We do not believe that experience means doing things the same way year after year. In means understanding when to refine, when to adapt, and when to lead with confidence.
Weddings in Milwaukee and Wisconsin look different than they did ten years ago–and even a couple of years ago. And that evolution is a good thing. Couples are more intentional. They prioritize guest experience. They value guidance and expertise over rigid tradition.
Our role as a Milwaukee wedding planner is to listen, learn, and evolve–while offering steady, knowledgeable leadership every step of the way.
Looking Ahead
As we head into a new season, we’re excited to continue creating weddings that feel thoughtful, supported and deeply personal for couples.
Because even after 18 years in weddings and counting, we believe the best celebrations are still teaching us something new every time.
Vendor Credits in Photos:
- Planner: Heather Farr Events
- Venue: GATHER at Deer District
- Photography: Ashton Gonnering Photography
- Hair and Make Up: Fansea Salon
- Lighting: Rocket Lighting
- Florist: Milwaukee Flower Company
- DJ: Enclave Light and Sound
Desserts: The Dessert Cart // @thedessertcartmke
Stationary: Designed with Amore // @designedwithamore
Hotel: The Trade // @thetradehotel
Rehearsal Dinner: The Chef’s Table // @thechefstablemke
Bridal Boutique: Miss Ruby Bridal Boutique // @missrubyboutique
Grooms Tux: Harley’s Co: HH Clothing Co. // @hh_clothing1948
