A Unique Wedding Venue in Milwaukee

Katherine and Andy chose a unique wedding venue in Milwaukee, Dandy. At this antique shop-turned-venue, they hosted a deeply intentional and connected wedding. Their wedding photos, especially those on film, give you a sense of what it was like to be in those joyful moments with them.

A Unique Wedding Venue in Milwaukee

For their ceremony, Katherine and Andy chose to get married in Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. This beautiful church was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The colorful iconography and elaborate woodwork are really breathtaking. 

The couple chose a far less conventional wedding venue in Milwaukee for their reception. Dandy is a combination antique store and event venue. Almost everything in the store is pre-1980s. It’s artfully arranged in little vignettes of furniture, decor, and even clothing. I can’t tell you how cozy this space is. It’s perfect for eclectic and unexpected wedding photos. There’s so much variety that you never run out of creative photos.

Dandy can host wedding ceremonies as well as receptions. They typically take place in a former garage with weathered brick walls and tall ceilings. Layers of vintage carpets and decor soften the space and give it character. Floral installations look absolutely amazing here. Since it’s already a maximalist space, you can go all out with your decor or keep it simple and let the space speak for itself.

As Milwaukee wedding venues go, Dandy is on the darker side. There’s not a ton of natural light. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, you can play with it for moody, cozy photos. We made the most of antique pendant lamps to play with silhouettes in Katherine and Andy’s post-ceremony portraits. 

Want to see another celebration at Dandy? It’s hands down one of my favorite wedding venues in Milwaukee. Check out this creative wedding with a ceremony and reception at Dandy.

Dandy on Film

When Katherine and Andy chose this wedding venue in Milwaukee, they agreed that it would look amazing on film photography. It’s vintage and fun. The black and white photos, especially, look like they could have been taken forty years ago. They have such a tangible quality.  It’s easy to imagine these images printed and hanging around Katherine and Andy’s home for future generations to admire and ask about.

Film wedding photography also suits a couple like Katherine and Andy. Like them, it’s intentional. A photographer has to think through the dynamics of each photo before clicking the shutter. It’s also authentic. Without editing to fall back on, film photography shows moments just as they are. Katherine and Andy’s wedding was so full of incredible candid moments. The film photos in their gallery do a good job of portraying that sense of presence and connectedness.

Katherine and Andy’s Intentional Celebration

Even though Katherine and Andy chose a very vintage-inspired wedding venue in Milwaukee, their love story is pretty modern. They were on the apps for years before they came across each other’s profiles. Katherine said that she felt like there was just something different about Andy. They hit it off immediately. After a few nervous dates, Andy accidentally told Katherine that he loved her. Things moved pretty quickly after that! They met each other’s families and got engaged in February. 

On your typical weekend, Andy and Katherine love pretending to be food critics. Needless to say, their wedding day was full of good eats. On the way from the ceremony to their Dandy reception, we even stopped at a local ice cream shop. It was super cute. Some guests even followed along and shared emotional hugs over their cones. Again, I love the way film photography portrays the vintage feeling of the ice cream shop and the timelessness of their joy.

Throughout the night, Katherine and Andy enjoyed all the quirks of this unique wedding venue in Milwaukee. Whether they were cracking up over toasts or tearing it up on the dance floor, they soaked in the moment in this beautiful space.

Are you interested in having me photograph your wedding? I’m a Milwaukee wedding photographer, and I can document your wedding on film and Super 8. Let’s capture these fleeting moments in photos you can feel! Inquire with me here.

Thank you to the vendors who helped make this wedding day an unforgettable experience.
Ceremony Venue: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
Reception Venue: Dandy
Photography: Lo McCarville Photography 
Ice Cream: Joy Ice Cream Social
Catering: Smoke Shack
Desserts: Cranky Al’s