This couple wanted a smaller wedding so they searched for a venue that would work – Vista in downtown Milwaukee fit perfectly. They utilized Vista’s multiple spaces (including their ceremony on the gorgeous rooftop) while still feeling cozy and connected to their guests.
For $40k, we think they did an amazing job with a top notch venue, delicious food and some amazing vendors! Read on for the full Cost Breakdown of this Vista MKE wedding and don’t miss the “note from the couple” at the bottom.
Married In Milwaukee Family Used:
We were excited to see that this couple used several Married In Milwaukee Family Members!! Here are the MIM Family Members involved in this Turner Hall Ballroom wedding:
- Photos: Ashton Lynette Photography
- Venue: Vista
- Caterer: All Occasions Catering
- DJ/Lighting: Sound By Design
- Dress: Strike Bridal Bar
Quick Facts – Vista Wedding:
- Guests: 65
- Ceremony/Reception: Vista
- Total Costs: $40,225
Wedding Essentials ($11,155):
- Invitations/Stationery: $880
- Photographer: $3,675 (Ashton Lynette Photography)
- Videographer: $3,200
- Cake: $400
- Flowers: $3,000 (included: bridal bouquet, 3 bridesmaids bouquets, 3 corsages, 5 boutonnieres, 2 ceremony floral arrangements on pedestals, floral/eucalyptus garland for centerpieces, rented centerpiece candles/hurricanes)
Reception and Ceremony Costs ($19,575):
- Venue Cost: $5,275 (Vista)
- Drinks: $4,000
- Catering: $6,800 (All Occasions Catering)
- Officiant: $500
- DJ: $2,500 (Sound By Design)
- Lighting: $500 (Sound By Design)
Attire, Jewelry and Beauty ($5,715):
- Bride’s Dress: $1,600 (Strike Bridal Bar)
- Bride’s Shoes: $40
- Groom’s Attire: $815
- Beauty: $600
- Rings: $2,660
Other Costs ($3,330):
- Hotel Suite: $1,330
- Wedding Favors: $0 (gifted by bride’s parents)
- Rehearsal Dinner: $500
- Wedding Party Gifts: $1,000
- Transportation: $500
Honeymoon ($10,000 – Not Included in Total):
- Trip to Belize: $10,000 (not included in total)
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:
Knowing we were going to have a smaller wedding, we wanted to ensure that the venue was the right size of physical space for our guest count. Vista gave us the flexibility of utilizing the multiple floors for different events throughout the day (ceremony on the rooftop, cocktail on the second floor, reception on the third floor), while still feeling cozy and connected to our guests.The modern, industrial feel matched our vision perfectly. We received countless comments like
‘where did you guys find this place?!’ from our guests, who were just as impressed as we were.”
Annie and Ray were great to work with and helped ease our nerves and answer questions about timeline management, floor plans, bar packages and more.The Photographer:
When we starting the planning process, hiring a photographer was one of our top priorities. We wanted someone whose photography/editing style matched our vibe/aesthetic, and who would allow us to simply exist in front of the camera and be ourselves.We knew immediately when we came across Ashton’s photography page (Ashton Lynette Photography) that we needed her to be a part of our wedding day. Ashton shows deep and authentic care for her couples, and this shows through her beautiful work. It was truly like having a lifelong friend alongside us throughout the whole day.
The Caterer:
One of our passions as a couple is food, so another high priority was having delicious entrees and hors d’oeuvres that were also a bit more unique than traditional wedding food. Cue: All Occasions Catering. Our guests raved about the food, and also shared positive experiences with the exceptional service provided by All Occasions’ kind and attentive staff.The Flowers:
We wanted to have stunning florals that could be repurposed from ceremony to reception. Gaby from Pink Opal Floral Design created gorgeous bridal/bridesmaid bouquets that we then put into vases to display throughout the reception area and floral arrangements on pedestals for the ceremony, which were later moved to our sweetheart table. This helped significantly from a cost perspective. Everything she put together was perfect, and she really brought our vision to life.– The Happy Couple
A BIG thanks to the couple for sharing the Cost Breakdown of their awesome wedding at Vista and to Ashton Lynette 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.
