GENERAL

Couple's Name: Michael and Kara Easton
Wedding Date: June 12, 2009
Wedding Location: Milwaukee Art Museum

ABOUT THE COUPLE

How they met: The couple was indirectly introduced by the bride’s best friend's father-in-law, Andy. He would tease Kara about finding her a good man; ultimately, she says, he was the one who found her prince charming. Andy died December 2006, and Michael was hired as the attorney for the estate. They met after the estate was finalized on Feb 17, 2007.

How he proposed: Mike suggested they go to the Wine Knot, where they met for their first date, for dessert. Mike got down on his knee saying, "The last time we went to Wine Knot we were meeting for the first time, the next time we walk in I want you to be wearing this." He opened the box and asked her to marry him.

Bride's occupation: Nurse Practitioner at Northwestern in Chicago Groom's
Groom’s occupation: Attorney at Easton Law Office

THE CEREMONY

Ceremony: The ceremony took place under the 90 foot glass ceilings of the Calatrava at the Milwaukee Art Museum, before the picture windows overlooking Lake Michigan.   The architecture along with the view of the lake made for the perfect location. The couple exchanged vows before their friends, family and God as their witnesses. Rev. Linda Barkwill presided over the ceremony. Ken Antaramian, John Antaramian, and Karen Heffner read words of faith and encouragement.

The gown: A white satin gown with an empire waist and short train. The gown was simple and elegant to match the white marble floors and architecture of the venue. The bride wore a cathedral length veil overlayed with an fingertip veil to frame her face. A clear stone-studded headband, diamond necklace, bracelet and earrings finished her ensemble.
The bouquet: The bride carried a simple bouquet of mixed white and pale pink roses with white grass, hand-tied with white satin ribbon. Each girl carried a simple bouquet of a different pink flower with a hand-tied pink satin ribbon.
The theme: Mike and Kara both enjoy a glass of wine with good food and great company. They used the names of vineyards in place of table numbers, they used wine corks to hold the place cards, and their gift for each guest was a wine stopper.

THE WEDDING PARTY

Maid of honor: Ronda Herring
Man of honor: Chris Coats, twin brother of bride
Bridesmaids: Jill Easton,  Mary Tithof, Christine Plotner, and Tammy Brown
Best man: Darren Hafford
Groomsmen: Vito Virgilio, Joe Easton, Dan Easton, Jason Tithof, Bryan Phillips, Brandon Eggert, and Kristian Nielson

THE RECEPTION

Number of guests: 250

The reception: Milwaukee Art Museum

The cake: Two days before the wedding, Kara woke Mike up at 3:00 a.m. to give his surprise wedding gift.  She drove him to the airport, flew him to Baltimore, Maryland, rented a car, and drove to Charm City Cakes Bakery. There, they spent about an hour meeting the cast of the television show “Ace of Cakes”' and picked up Mike's groom cake. The cake was an exact replica of a UFC octagon, with two of Mike's favorite fighters. They then loaded the cake in the car to make the long drive home and didn't arrive in Kenosha until 1:00 a.m. the following morning. 

First song: “Then”' by Brad Paisley. Mike proposed at the same location that they met, which is the topic of the song.

The menu: Tapas menu with thirteen options including goat cheese tarts, marinated artichoke hearts, fruit kabobs, prosciutto wrapped melon, and smoked salmon

What made the day unique: Everything. The couple designed and handcrafted every detail with simplicity and elegance, from the hand poured chocolate, to the wine theme, to the photobooth. The ceremony and the reception overlooked the water, and the pristine architecture provided a picturesque backdrop for a wedding.

Most touching moment of the day:
For Mike:  When he first saw Kara coming down the aisle, as he had not seen her beforehand.
For Kara: When Mike gave his new bride a toast of love and new beginnings.

Honeymoon destination: Las Vegas for four days immediately after the wedding, then in December they took their official honeymoon to Capa Cana, Dominican Republic, for 10 days at the Sanctuary Capa Cana.