Dillon & Chelsea | A Summery Wedding Celebration at The Sepia Wedding Chapel and The Swan Club in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

June 28, 2017

“Six years ago, Chelsea came home from college in Milwaukee and said she needed my advice. It seemed that two young men had asked her out and she didn’t know which one to choose. I gave her my option … but against my advice she choose the opposite one. I’m not sure if any of you parents are aware, but children don’t always listen to you! In this case, I’m sure glad she didn’t.

When Chelsea’s dad, Jim, was in high school he owned a purple Catalina. It was his prized possession as he claims it ‘floated down the road.’ Many years later, as we were driving through Freedom High School’s parking lot, he saw a young man driving one almost like his. Jim proceeded to stop him and ask if he could buy the car from him. We didn’t know it at the time, but this was our first encounter meeting Dillon.

Dillon’s family has an annual Halloween family camping trip. The first time Chelsea was invited along, she walked into their family’s motor home and looked around. She said, ‘This camper looks familiar!’ Dillon’s mom, Cindy, replied, ‘It should! We bought it from your Grandpa and Grandma.’ As it turned out, both of our families had taken many vacations in the same motor home.

Anyone who knows me knows that I believe things happen for a reason … and that fate has brought Chelsea and Dillon together.

My Grandma Gipp lived to be a 103 — Lord, I loved that woman. In those years, she told us many stories and gave us many words of wisdom. One thing that she used to say sticks out in my mind today: marriage is like the weather. Some days it’s sunny, some days it’s cloudy, some days it’s raining, and then there are days when there’s thunder and lighting.

Please raise your glass and toast to Chelsea, Dillon, and sunny days.”

This was Chelsea’s mom’s speech from the reception and I asked her if I could post it on the blog for today’s post because I LOVE what she wrote. The connections that Chelsea and Dillon had before ever even meeting one another are so fate-filled, like she mentioned, and I can’t imagine the feelings they experienced each time they uncovered another moment that seemed to just point them to one another yet again. These two were made for one another and I am so happy (as are MANY others … like, try 450 people at the reception!!) that they are finally husband and wife!!

Dillon and Chelsea’s wedding celebration was absolutely beautiful. The floral was incredible, Chelsea looked absolutely stunning in her Casablanca halter gown, and the pups were to DIE for in their fancy wedding day attire! These two are as obsessed (okay, probably more obsessed — which I didn’t know possible!!) than we are with Vivian and I loved getting to photograph them as a part of the day!

One thing that we kept telling Dillon and Chelsea during their portrait time was how much we loved their bridal party! They agreed that they have the best group of friends — fun to be around, funny and witty (groomsmen, I’m looking at you!!), but also SO kind and so respectful. It doesn’t surprise us at all that these two surround themselves with such amazing people.

Enjoy some of our favorites from Dillon and Chelsea’s day … it was hard to choose!! Lots of portraits! <3