It was fate that we met, really, truly it was. A few years back, I was being the supportive wife I am and helping Drew out at a wine tasting at one of our favorite local eateries when I met Elise. I was instantly smitten with this beautiful blonde girl who had the amazing Aussie accent. We got to chatting and spent the evening sharing stories and hugs. By the end of it, we were friends. Fast forward a few months later and Elise shares the exciting news that her and Cody had gotten engaged. We celebrated over messages and got all excited for the wedding planning process. Elise and Cody have a story worth sharing, the kind that sounds like it came from a romance novel and being a part of their wedding day was nothing short of a highlight for me.
Cody and Elise started talking when they were 15 years old. She was in Australia, he in Wisconsin. They were taking part of a pen pal project for school and got connected through a friend. Years of letters and messages turned into a long flight across the world to meet and the rest is history (well, sort of… the rest includes a lot of trips between Australia and Wisconsin and a lot of long distance love.) It was an absolute honor to be celebrating among the Aussies and Americans in one giant gathering that celebrated two amazing families as they became one. I willed myself to pick up on their accent as the evening went on and the dance floor filled up. This one, this one means a lot to me. I am so thankful I met Elise at that wine tasting years ago, it’s proof that wine is the answer to every question, and that God connects people in the most incredible ways. Now, I just need an excuse to get to Australia to visit these two newlyweds. Ahem, bridesmaids, I’m open for your wedding date – whenever that may be!
To see more of Cody + Elise’s beautiful wedding day, turn on your sound and click play on the slideshow below:
Leave these two some love, if this post gets 25 blog comments, they will get a complimentary 8×10″ print of their favorite wedding day image, so leave these two a comment!
VENDORS:
Preparation Site: Rented Lake Home – Elkhart Lake, WI // Church: St. John Lutheran Church // Reception: Black Swan Banquet Hall – Grafton, WI // Dress: Henry Roth // Bridesmaid Dresses: Macys and Various Vendors // Suits: Mens Wearhouse // Make up and Hair Artist: Anagen Eleven // Videographer: George Street Video // DJ: Midwest Sound // Florals: Farmers Market // Second Shooter: Eric Schwanke
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This was indeed the perfect day!
Stunning, and absolutely beautiful. Congratulations, Cody and Elise!
Jenna, Without a doubt you were the perfect fit for this “Perfect Day.” You captured everything I could hope to remember. Thank you again, for sharing your amazing talent with our family. Peace~
Beautiful couple….inside and out! Beautiful pictures! Congrats Cody and Elise!
Congratulations! Great pictures.
I could not be more in love with these two people! Cody and Elise, you are absolutely gorgeous, and Jenna, you’ve done such an incredible job! Beautiful day, beautiful people. xx
Beautiful pictures!!
What a fun couple, the wedding looked amazing! Gorgeous pics as always <3
Probably one of the most beautiful days and these pictures are out of this world!!!
Wow, it felt like I attended the wedding! Karleen is a lifetime freind of mine and “Mr. Gumm” was my 6th grade teacher–how amazing to see the LOVE you have in your beautiful family shining through these photos! I’m certain this Love will withstand a lifetime…. Congratulations to Cody & Elise, Mike & Karleen and Gramma & Grampa Lena & Ralph. Blessings to you all…..
Wow, what a beautiful wedding. Congratulations!
Beautiful!!
Beautiful day, couple & pictures! So much fun!! Elise you looked like a Princess, and Cody… Wow! Very dapper! Everything turned out perfect!!
Jenna: thank you for capturing it all- you really caught the feeling of the day!!
A beautiful day with 2 gorgeous people. Beautiful photos and memories, thank you. xx
Looks like it was a beautiful wedding and great photos
To be lucky enough to be the father of such an incredible girl and see her marry such an amazing man was an experience of a life time.So much love so many wonderful people such a lovely family the Gumms. A perfect week.
Beautiful!
Just beautiful Elise and Cody!
You look so happy and what amazing photos you have to remember this special day by!! ❤
Looks like everyone involved had a fabulous day, they truly do shine with the love they share. Thanks so much for sharing your perfect day!!!
So Happy for them! touched by their love stories. lovely couple. awesome pictures!
So beautiful…I teared up and I’m only a work colleague of Kristie Matthews and Cody. Congratulations to you both, may you be blissfully happy always and forever xx
Sensational photos made easy with beautiful people. Congratulations and may you share a long and happy life together
Sargent Family
Melbourne Australia
What a fun story! I remember having pen pals in Europe through school…so neat they are together after that long! 🙂
A perfect day so perfectly captured!
Being so far from the action on the day, it has been lovely to be able to look at these gorgeous photos and imagine the whole atmosphere of the event. Congrats to Cody and Elise
Congratulations Elise and Cody. Such beautiful pictures of a gorgeous couple. May you stay as connected and surrounded by love always. Love, Jas(Melbourne)
You captured the magic of Cody and Elise’s love. A fairy tale come true. The slides how is spectacular!