When a couple buys a farm from the groom’s mom, transforms it into their own little paradise with 59 animals, and then gets married there surrounded by lemon trees (there’s a story for that!), you know you’re in for something special.
Vicky and Acaya’s June wedding at their private residence in Wisconsin was everything we love about tented weddings on private properties: the most personal, vibrant, and full of thoughtful details that told their story. We also love private property weddings because we can really build anything from the ground up with some blood, sweat, and (let’s be honest) tears. But all that work is always worth it.
How They Met
Vicky and Acaya met through the YMCA Youth-in-Government program when they were 15. But when they were 16 and both finally had cell phones they became close friends and found each other constantly texting.
When they were 17, Vicky asked Acaya out during his visit for her Happy Adoption Day celebration. The rest, as they say, is history.
Fast forward to the proposal: Acaya surprised Vicky with a lemon and lime tree (and the sapphire ring she helped design) on the roof of their apartment building in downtown Madison, right next to the Monona Terrace. Vicky had always talked about wanting to grow lemon and lime trees on their farm, so he bought their “love trees” so they could plant them together and watch them grow. Of course, we knew we had to incorporate this into their wedding!
Transforming Their Farm Into a Wedding Venue
Vicky and Acaya bought the farm from Acaya’s mom and made it their own by updating the barn, adding a greenhouse, and inherited all 59 animals (and counting). For the wedding, we brought in a sailcloth tent for the reception, used the barn for cocktail hour, and set up the ceremony in a grassy area surrounded by mature trees and gardens.
They had already added string lights throughout the property (which gave us the most beautiful ambient lighting), and we worked with the natural beauty of the space to create something that felt natural and not too trendy. Vicky was very clear from the beginning: she wanted it to feel genuine, not like they were impressing anyone or trying to put on a show. I loved that.
The Design: Vibrant, Garden-Inspired, and Full of Personal Touches
The color palette was blue, pink, and purple, vibrant, happy, and garden-inspired. We used blue floral patterned plates with farmhouse tables for an Italian-themed family-style dinner (Vicky is Vietnamese but was adopted into an Italian family, so this felt like the perfect nod to her story).
Vicky and Acaya’s stationery featured a fun, whimsical hand drawn watercolor design with elements from the farm and wildflowers woven in. The flowers provided by Sunborn Gardens created this cohesive, joyful vibe that carried throughout the entire day.
Personal Touches That Made It Theirs
This is where things get really good.
Lemon trees were placed throughout the space as a nod to the proposal. Al Dente Design Co. created an illustrated map of the property so guests could explore the farm. Vicky and Acaya knew they wanted to do pie, assorted desserts, and ice cream for their dessert, so we decided to add a cute touch with illustrated sticker labels of their farm animals and their farm for the ice cream lid tops.
The guestbook table featured garden-themed books, with chinoiserie vases that matched the pattern of their plates A quilt patch guestbook where guests could write messages on fabric squares served as a meaningful keepsake that Vicky will turn into a quilt, and be something they’ll actually use in their farmhouse.
We also set up yard games and a bonfire so guests could relax, hang out, and enjoy the farm atmosphere. A lot of their friends and guests had never been on their farm before, so Vicky and Acaya wanted to make sure everyone had a good experience, not just a wedding, but a housewarming, if you will.
What Vicky & Acaya Wanted (and What We Delivered)
From the beginning, Vicky and Acaya told us they wanted someone who could bring their vision to life, take the stress off the planning process, and be fully on top of timelines and deadlines. They wanted to feel happy and in the moment, not overwhelmed by logistics. This wedding had all the personal touches, all the vibrant design, and all the heart, and they got to actually enjoy it.
There was a ton of sweat equity involved, much thanks to Acaya, so while he and his family worked hard to make their property wedding ready, we are so glad we were able to partner to take the wedding planning stress off their plates.
Planning a Private Residence Wedding in Wisconsin
If you’re dreaming of a vibrant, personal, tented celebration on a private property, whether it’s your family farm, a backyard, or an estate, we’d love to help you bring it to life. There’s something so special about creating a wedding in a place that already holds meaning, and the design possibilities are endless.
Vicky and Acaya’s wedding reminded me why us why we love what we do. When couples trust us to take their vision and run with it, when they’re not afraid to incorporate the things that make them unique, and when the day is more about the experience than anything else? That’s what fills our cup!
Planning a private residence wedding or tented celebration in Wisconsin? Let’s chat.
Vendor Team:
Planning + Design: Olive Branch Events Co.
Catering: Blue Plate Catering
Photography: Jess Hunter
Videography: Tribute Photo + Film
Florals: Sunborn Gardens
Rentals: Event Essentials
DJ: A Personal Touch
Ceremony Music: Gabriel’s Horns
Hair and Makeup: Lotus Artistry
Custom Stationery: Al Dente Designs Co.
Custom Signage: Fest Paper
Dessert: Stellie’s Ice Cream, Madison Sourdough
