Meet the KaLhouns - Johanna + Derrick's DIY Milwaukee Wedding!

If you have been looking for DIY wedding inspiration featuring a balloon-wielding-bride wearing a pantsuit and flower crown - then you have arrived!
Johanna and Derrick got married in May of 2017, but I am just now getting their wedding up on the blog. It’s a tragic oversight on my part - because they are fabulous and so was their wedding.

*Scroll to the bottom for Vendor details!*

I feel like the whole day from start to finish was a perfect & joyful expression of who we are as people and partners...It felt bursting at the seams with love and excitement and every detail felt deeply personal.

And these photos. I can’t even. Even 3 years later I get (happy)teary looking at them. They so beautifully capture every special moment of what was the ideal day of celebration- we were surrounded by giant balloons, flowers, donuts, coffee, sunshine and all our favorite humans- are you kidding me?! Forever grateful. Also: when can we do it again?” - Johanna KaLhoun

“Our photos of the day are literally PERFECT and make me so happy every time I see them.”
- Johanna KaLhoun

Their wedding story begins on Saturday - the day before their wedding - at the Brookfield farmer’s market where Jo + Derrick’s began the hunt for their wedding flowers. They are that DIY couple who found great joy in getting their hands dirty and choosing their own flowers for their table settings, wedding decorations, and also an amazing flower crown. Ultimately the hunt for flowers involved stops at Pick and Save and Trader Joe’s as well! The rest of Saturday involved getting ready, making decorations, rehearsing, and lots of hanging out with family and friends.

Johanna and Derrick began their wedding day with a personal yoga session led by their friend Morgan. It was a relaxing and emotional time - that ended in a walk in the rain (luckily it was the only rain of the day)! Some might say they were cheating by seeing each other so early on their wedding day, but I think they were smart: why spend your wedding day trying to avoid you favorite person when you can experience it all together. And they still had an official “first look” once they were all dressed up (stay tuned)!
(Johanna used an Air B+B to put up her out of town bridesmaid’s and as base of operation.)

Following Yoga, with their emotional connection re-established Johanna + Derrick, were ready for their special day together. While one might not think of Greenfield as a wedding “Destination” it certainly looked the part for their wedding celebration. It was the perfect pace for pictures and partying. It’s also where they finished getting ready and had their first look once they were all dressed up.

All dressed up and ready for the official “first look” and also a little surprise.

If you are wondering why Derrick is down on one knee on their wedding day, you will need to jump back in time to solve the mystery. Johanna and Derrick knew they were getting married and were already planning their wedding and life together - BUT - neither had proposed to the other. They sorta skipped that part, until their engagement photo session. On that cold February morning, Johanna proposed to Derrick with a cute Pizza-pin. If you know them - this is perfect. So on their wedding day, Derrick returned the favor with his own surprise proposal. Double-proposals - double “YES” replies - let’s have a wedding!

(This all went down at Colectivo on Swan - a significant place for them as will become clear in a bit).

So unity candles and unity sand are neat - but have you experienced a unity “Pour Over?” If not, are you even married. During their “Unity pour-over”, a video of their special moments played for all to see. Also, Johanna’s dad is a Pastor - so that is him up there officiating their special moment.

One of my favorite parts of being a wedding photographer is that I get to spend all day with couples *ON THEIR WEDDING DAY*. I mean even their momma’s don’t get the sorta of all access pass that comes with this job. And sometimes, when I’m extra lucky, I even get to be their personal chauffeur. It’s just the best. To get to third-wheel as they rode around and process their happiest day. Also - you will note be are back at Colectivo on Swan - because that is where Johanna and Derrick met and fell in love!

After their Colectivo “reception” with their co-workers, Johanna and Derrick headed back to the Greenfield Park Pavilion for some photos, and all the other reception moments.

After their send off, we took a few more photos around sunset because the light was so pretty - and then they headed out to waterford for a Bonfire After-party that went long into the night. The whole day was magical!

Wedding Details:

Johanna and Derrick created a new last name together, assembled from aspects of each of their names and a street they grew up on different ends of.

Officiant: Rev. Mike Delong, (bride’s dad)

Getting Ready: Air B+B in Wauwatosa

Wedding Venue: Evangelical Covenant Church

Reception Venue: Greenfield Park Pavillion

Bonfire: Derrick’s Family in Waterford

Yoga: Morgan - @morganmayerj

HMUA: Agnes - @agnesdoeshair // @agnassty 

Flowers: Brookfield farmers market, pick and save, Trader Joe’s 

Flower Crown/Veil: H&M + piece of tulle

Faux Flower Wreaths: homemade

Mug favors: thrifted

Cake: Maggie  - @mkmusicmaniac

Donuts: Greenbush Bakery - Madison

Food: Fruit Kabobs (made by family)