This couple was looking for a venue that represented the city and its energy. And they found exactly that at Hubbard Park Lodge. For just under $18,000, this couple had a funky, retro-vibe wedding for 96 of their closest family and friends.
We also LOVE that they used MIM Family Member Ampersand Photography for their photos! Read on to learn all about their wedding costs and their vendors used. And don’t miss the “note from the couple” at the bottom to learn more their budget and vendor selection.
Quick Facts – Hubbard Park Lodge Wedding:
- Guests: 96
- Ceremony/Reception: Hubbard Park Lodge
- Wedding Date: September 2024
- Total Costs: $17,850
Wedding Essentials ($3,530):
- Invitations/Stationery: $320
- Photographer: $1,950 (Ampersand Photography)
- Flowers: $390 (Bride DIYed a mix of faux and dried florals – bouquets, ceremony décor, centerpieces, table decor in glassware from Goodwill)
- Desserts: $540 (pies)
- Day-of Setup: $330
Reception and Ceremony Costs ($12,700):
- Reception: $1,200
- Ceremony: $750
- Catering $5,250
- Drinks: $4,000
- DJ: $1,500
- Officiant: $0 (friend)
Attire, Jewelry and Beauty ($670):
- Bride’s Dress: $315 (bride’s design)
- Bride’s Shoes: $60
- Groom’s Attire: $165 (bride’s design)
- Rings: $130 (bride’s ring, groom used father’s ring)
Other Costs ($950):
- Rehearsal Dinner: $280 (backyard picnic)
- Wedding Party Gifts: $190
- Wedding Favors: $260 (matchbooks, DIY candles/stickers)
- Other Costs: $220
A Note From The Couple
We asked the couple to tell us about their planning and budgeting process, and this is what they had to say:
The Venue:
We met in Milwaukee after moving here from opposite coasts, so when touring venues, we were looking for something that represented the city and its energy. Hubbard Park felt just perfect – the riverside ceremony spot, the casual vibes, the history. And since our first apartment together was just across the river, we knew they threw great parties! From there we just matched everything back to the funky, retro style of the space.The Photographer:
Sam from Ampersand Photography did an amazing job of capturing the artistic shots that we wanted without pulling us away from the celebration. It felt like we were just hanging out with our friend who happened to be taking amazing shots of us the whole time. It’s so important to find a photographer you connect with because you’re spending your whole wedding day together.DIYs:
We both have backgrounds in art and design, so we DIYed anything we possibly could, including the wedding dress and suit, guest book quilt, stationary, and florals. It allowed us to splurge on a great open bar and a delicious meal, but it also felt so special to have worked on those projects together.Day-of support:
We came to Hannah of Charmate Events in a bit of a panic because we had thought of every detail except who was handling set up and break down. We didn’t have a ton of complicated décor, but we also didn’t want to worry about who was in charge of the guest book at the end of the night. She met us exactly where we were so we got to relax and enjoy the day.Dog’s date:
Having our good boy, Clark, with us for the ceremony was a huge priority for us. We are regulars at The Hounds and Tap, so we had him boarded there for the nights before and after, and one of the H&T humans was his date to the ceremony. It was so perfect to have our boy there, and Hannah was such a calming presence for him.
– The Happy Couple
A BIG thanks to the couple for sharing the Cost Breakdown of their wedding at Hubbard Park Lodge and to Ampersand Photography for the amazing photos!
If you’re currently working on your wedding budget, make sure to read through our previous Cost Breakdown articles featuring real Milwaukee wedding cost breakdowns.
