Rachel & John

Let's do this!

Sunday October 8, 2023

Milwaukee, WI, USA

672 days 6 hrs 55 mins ago

Story

Once upon a time a dance therapist and a drummer fell in love...Thank goodness for Bumble! Even though Rachel had sworn off this dating app because she "didn't want to make the first move" she decided to give it a go. After the two matched and chatted a bit, John was so eager to meet Rachel that their first date was the day after Christmas. As she pulled up to Art Bar to meet John, Rachel saw a tall handsome man walking into the bar and said to herself, "Gosh, I hope that's him". During the date, John knew Rachel was a good match due to her extensive basketball, film, and music knowledge. Rachel knew John was a good match when he tried in vain to find a vegetarian pizza and then insisted they tour the bar's extensive art collection.

They knew pretty quickly that they were serious about one another... They spent 2022 traveling the country so they could meet one another's friends and family before sealing the deal. In December, on a trip to New York, John popped the question in Rachel's old neighborhood, surrounded by some of her closest friends. John couldn't stop crying, Rachel blacked out from shock, and now they have a lifetime of adventures to look forward to! Fast forward to October 8,2023 when they will seal the deal in the most appropriate place: their favorite music venue in Milwaukee. In which we will party on and be excellent to one another.

Tidbits

What was your most memorable date?

Biking through Seattle on our way to a music festival to see our favorite bands. The weather was perfect, the views were amazing, and the shows were fantastic.

What's your favorite activity together?

Going to concerts or basketball games.

Where are you going for your honeymoon?

Sicily and Istanbul!

What's the most memorable trip you have taken together?

Our first trip to New York City together. John loved having Rachel take him around to her favorite spots and meeting her best friends. Plus seeing David Byrne in American Utopia was unforgettable.

What's the best meal you have eaten together?

Juliana's Pizza in Brooklyn. We love pizza, okay?

We’re on the same page about

Always talking things through, spending quality time together, and Bucks Basketball.

The most spontaneous thing we’ve done

John surprised Rachel with tickets to a music festival in L.A. (without telling her) to see some of her all time favorite bands.

The dorkiest thing about us is

Batman, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, the limit does not exist.

We are regulars at

Centro Cafe. Cafe Corazon. Company Brewing. Anodyne Coffee. Proof Pizza.

A social cause we care about

Equality for all.

Wedding Party

Rebecca Kuss

Maid of Honor

Tyler Doyle

Best Man

Kelsey Lawler

Maid of Honor

Andrew  Doyle

Best Man

Megan O'Boyle

Bridesmaid

Spencer Strand

Groomsman

Sara Crow

Bridesmaid

Eric Trunk

Groomsman

Matt Goyette

Officiant

Schedule

Saturday, October 7, 2023

Welcome Party

7:30 PM to 10:00 PM

We would love to say hello to everyone before we make it official and want all of our favorite people to finally meet! Join us for a drink at one of our favorite local breweries. We will have the back room reserved but feel free to enjoy the whole space for some Shuffleboard, Hammerschlagen, or giant Yahtzee! We won't be providing any food but they do serve snacks at the brewery and you are welcome to carry in food (We recommend Fixture Pizza from down the street!)

Dress Code

Casual

Sunday, October 8, 2023

Ceremony and Reception

4:30 PM to 11:30 PM

We're getting married! Please join us to celebrate the start of the rest of our lives! (Fingers crossed that many of you have Monday off!) The ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception will all take place at Turner Hall Ballroom to keep it nice and simple. While we love your kids, we cannot accommodate them for our wedding, so it will be a parents' night out!

Dress Code

Cocktail Attire

Monday, October 9, 2023

Goodbye Breakfast

9:00 AM to 11:00 AM

We'll be grabbing breakfast at the Bar at Saint Kates the morning after the wedding. If anyone would like to come say goodbye and grab some Belgian Waffles, Shakshuka, or bagels & coffee we would love to see you before you head out of town! This will be a casual drop in gathering, the bar is very open with plenty of space to mingle and eat.

Registry

Your presence is enough of a present to us! But for those of you who love to gift, we've put together a wish-list to help you out.

Travel

Plane

Getting In

If you are flying, Milwaukee General Mitchell Airport is the best way to go and only a 15 minute drive into the city!

Car

Getting Downtown

There a lots of ways to get in downtown! There are several car rental options, and Lyft and Uber are relatively inexpensive since the airport isn't too far. Most of our wedding events will be taking place downtown so car rental isn't necessary.

Note

air bnb

There are lots of affordable Air BnBs in the city so make sure to check out those options as well!

Link
airbnb.com
Hotel Product

Aloft Milwaukee Downtown, North Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Drive, Milwaukee, WI, USA

This is an affordable hotel a 5 minute walk away from the venue. We have a room block here for reduced rates on a first come first serve basis. Use the link above to book and take advantage of the discount. Rooms at a reduced rate will only be held until September 7th so make sure to book before then!

Link
marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi
Phone
414-226-0122
Hotel Product

Saint Kate - The Arts Hotel, East Kilbourn Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, USA

This is our favorite hotel in Milwaukee. Tons of cool art, a great lobby with live music, and a 10 minute walk to our venue! We have a room block here with rooms at reduced rates on a first come first serve basis. If you want to take advantage of the reduced rates, make sure to book before September 7th and use the link above!

Phone
414-276-8686
Hotel Product

Hyatt Regency Milwaukee, West Kilbourn Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, USA

This is another affordable option and only a 5 minute walk from our venue. (Fun bonus fact, this is where Rachel attended Prom!)

Link
hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/wisconsin/hyatt-regency-milwaukee/mkerm
Phone
414-276-1234
Hotel Product

County Clare Irish Inn & Pub, North Astor Street, Milwaukee, WI, USA

This is a very quaint inn with a lot of charm. The rates are very affordable and breakfast is included! It is about a 5 minute drive to our venue.

Phone
414-272-5273
Hotel Product

The Knickerbocker on the Lake, East Juneau Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, USA

This is another quaint and affordable option that is right on Lake Michicgan and only a 5 minute drive from our venue. Fun bonus fact... Rachel used to live here!

Phone
414-276-8500
Hotel Product

The Pfister Hotel, East Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, USA

If you really want to travel in style, this is where the the likes of President Obama, Megan Thee Stallion, and Steve Martin stay when they're in town!

Phone
414-273-8222
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Our Favorite Restaurants

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Things to do in Milwaukee

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Assistance

Booking Assistant - Find Hotels Near Our Venue

Suggested Stay:

Sat, October 07 - Mon, October 09

1040 Vel R. Phillips Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203, USA

Calendar
Calendar
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Q & A

For all our friends and family who have lots of questions, please check out our Q & A first!

When is the RSVP deadline?

Please RSVP by September 1st, so we can have an accurate headcount. :)

Can I bring a date?

We can only accommodate named guests so please check your invitation.

Are kids welcome?

As much as we love your little ones, we will not be including them in the ceremony or reception. If you need help finding local babysitting services please let us know. Please reach out if you have questions!

What will the weather be like?

Welcome to Milwaukee, all of you out-of-towners! The weather here can be funny. In October the weather can be sunny and mild during the day and cool at night. However, there's always a chance for a cold snap, so just check the weather forecast. The good news is, we will be inside the whole time and you won't have to do any relocating!

Where should I park?

Luckily since it's a Sunday there will be free street parking. However, since the wedding is taking place downtown, taking a ride share service such as Lyft or Uber is probably your most convenient bet.

Are the ceremony and reception locations wheelchair accessible?

Yes! Please let us know if you cannot take stairs to the second floor and we will direct you to the elevator!

What should I wear?

Cocktail attire please! Wear something fun, colorful, sparkly, shiny...whatever makes you feel like dancing!

Is the wedding indoors or outdoors?

Indoors.

Is it okay to take pictures with our phones and cameras during the wedding?

Yes! We would love for you to take photos and share them on our app Joy.
However, please refrain from taking photos during the ceremony so our photographer can get her best possible shots!

What time shoulld I arrive?

Plan on arriving by 4:15pm to make sure you have time to find parking and get inside!

Will I have to pay for parking?

There is no metered street parking on Sundays! If you cannot find street parking there is a paid lot next to the venue.

What should/could I do between the ceremony and reception?

We will have a hosted cocktail hour with appetizers on site!

Will I need to pay for drinks?

We will be hosting wine, beer, seltzers, sodas, and Old Fashioneds during cocktail hour and dancing. During dinner service, there will be a cash bar.

Get the app

Download Joy and join our app using our event handle rachel-and-john-eclc6a35ug000101vo55e73ajhs. View and share photos and stay up-to-date with details on the go.