Jak & James’ Schlitz Audubon Wedding!

LGBTQWeddings
Written By Brandon J Brown

From the moment I met Jak and James at WEDMKE, I knew their wedding would be something special. 

There is more to see - check out their Instagram Reels: Part 1 // Part 2

Once I realized that I would be partnering with Veronica Rose Planning for this wedding, my anticipation skyrocketed. In the planning and lead-up to their wedding, my conviction grew with each meeting, and sure enough, their wedding was full of delightful humans, incredible energy, and a love worth noting.

The Schlitz AudUbon NAture Center

Jak and James chose the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center to host their wedding, and I couldn’t have been more thrilled. It’s one of my favorite Milwaukee venues for couples who want to be immersed in nature without sacrificing accessibility or comfort.

With peaceful nature trails, a scenic lagoon with a boardwalk, a tall observation tower, and even beach access to Lake Michigan, Schlitz strikes a perfect balance. The boardwalks and bridges make it surprisingly easy to explore in wedding attire, and you just can’t beat the way the sunlight trickles through the trees during the day or how it makes the tall grasses glow around sunset. Absolute magic.

The First Look

First looks are one of my favorite parts of the day—they provide an intimate moment for couples to connect and share their unguarded selves and emotions with each other on their wedding day. There are several great spots for first looks at the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center - we chose one of my favorites for Jak and James. The overhang provided shade and shelter but did not hide the nature surrounding their special moment.

Both Grooms chose suits matched to their personality and taste, but they paired perfectly. They each had many pieces of “flair” (If you know, you know) - that were meaningful to their relationship (Beetle brooches with formalwear? YES!)

The Wedding Party & The Woods

After the first look, Jak and James were joined by their wedding party. They were a fabulous group, surrounding the couple with laughter and joy. I’m a fan of wedding parties that break the mold. Mismatched outfits? Yes please. Uneven numbers? Let’s go. It just feels more personal and less like a lineup of clones.

Also, a shoutout to the venue’s golf cart, which makes wandering through the woods in wedding attire way more doable. The greens played well with James’ pink suit and shoes and Jak’s toasted tan ensemble. 

Lake Michigan Magic

When weather allows, a visit to the beach at Schlitz is a must. When you step out on the Beach of Lake Michigan, it feels a little like stepping through a portal - it’s a magical experience each time and a great place for both wedding party shenanigans or intimate quiet moments for the couple - our choice for this day. We got our best lighting of the day here, which shows how all the colors pop. As a Milwaukee wedding photographer, I’ll take these beach photos any day.

Ceremony Spaces and amazing Backup options

One of the showstoppers of Schlitz as a Wedding venue is the beautiful forest clearing ceremony space, it is outdoors in nature *AND* accessible and paved - a true Gem… unless it rains. Schlitz is special in its many options, even when things don’t go as planned. After a consultation with MaryBeth (the Wedding coordinator at Schiltz), they decided to avoid the rain by hosting their ceremony under the covered Veranda.

As you can see from the photos, the views were still full of green nature and life, while the guests remained dry and comfortable. Jenny the Glorious Minister did a great job leading the couple through their promises to each other, and there were a lot of happy tears from the couple and guests alike.  As a tribute to the day and the setting, Jak and James planted a tree during the ceremony—a beautiful, living symbol of their new beginning.

Cocktail Hour + Raptor Cameos

Owls and eagles as cocktail hour guests? It's unexpected, perhaps - but if it’s your thing, Schlitz is the only place to make it happen. The birds were a huge hit—guests got up-close photo ops, the handlers were full of cool info, and the vibe was “wild kingdom, but make it classy.”

The veranda came in clutch again, offering shelter while people sipped champagne and toasted the newlyweds.

Reception & the Great Hall

The final chapter of the evening unfolded in the Great Hall, a cozy yet grand indoor space perfect for dinner and dancing. While many couples choose Schlitz for the outdoor beauty, the venue’s interiors are just as impressive. The wood-and-stone design, huge windows, and modern amenities make it ideal for a seamless (and stunning) celebration.

Jak and James filled the space with amazing food, personal touches, and an unforgettable Armadillo-shaped cake (yes, really, and yes, it was awesome).

Party Time and a Drag Queen!

You know that moment at a wedding when the last speech is over, and you can feel the energy shift? Like, oh yeah, it’s party time now?

Right then, James pulled off a surprise: their favorite Milwaukee Drag Queen—Miss B.J. Daniels—made an entrance and brought the house down. Drag queens make everything better, especially weddings. It was the perfect kickoff to a night of dancing, celebration, and joy.

Jak and James are absolute gems—fun, thoughtful, fabulous. Their wedding day was beautiful, magical, and inspiring. I’m so honored to have been there to witness it all and wish them nothing but Love, Laughter, and the Moments that Matter as they take on the world together.

One more thing: Veronica Rose Planning

Let’s talk about Veronica from Veronica Rose Planning, a small, queer-owned wedding planning team based in Milwaukee. Veronica brings a perfect blend of energy, warmth, and down-to-earth organization to everything she does. From the early planning meetings to the final moments of the wedding night, she’s fully present, fully invested, and somehow everywhere at once. You can tell she loves what she does. She’s meticulous with details, calm in the chaos, and completely focused on helping her couples have the best day ever. Veronica will manage your timeline, coordinate your vendors, and keep it all flowing, so you can enjoy the celebration without worrying about a thing. I love working with her and her team because they make it easier for me to capture all the magical moments for the couple!

The Wedding Team:

Brandon J Brown

Photographer + Storyteller

www.roostmke.com
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