A Wedding at The Edgewater Hotel in Madison

Kara and Nicholas’ wedding at The Edgewater Hotel in Madison, Wisconsin was a heartfelt return to the place where their story first began.

The two currently live in New York, but Madison will always hold a special place in their lives. Kara and Nicholas first met while attending the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where they happened to be neighbors during college. Over the past ten years their friendship grew into a relationship built on teamwork, support, and a playful sense of fun. When it came time to plan their wedding, returning to Madison felt like the most meaningful way to celebrate.

Hosting their wedding at The Edgewater Hotel allowed them to gather friends and family in the city where their relationship first took root. Located right along the shore of Lake Mendota and just steps from campus, The Edgewater Hotel sits at the heart of Madison and offers sweeping views of the lake—making it an iconic wedding venue in the city.

Guests watching ceremony during rainy day wedding at The Edgewater Hotel.

A Rainy June Wedding Day in Madison

June in Wisconsin can bring just about anything weather-wise, and Kara and Nicholas’ wedding day arrived with steady rain over Madison. Their ceremony had originally been planned to take place outdoors, overlooking Lake Mendota from the terrace at The Edgewater.

But thanks to the incredible planning team at Olive Branch Events Co., the backup plan came together seamlessly. The ceremony was moved indoors without stress or disruption, allowing the day to continue with the same warmth and excitement everyone had been anticipating.

Rain tapped softly against the windows as guests gathered inside, creating an intimate and cozy atmosphere. Even though the ceremony moved indoors, the lake still provided a beautiful backdrop just beyond the glass.

Celebrating the Place Where It All Began

For Kara and Nicholas, choosing to have their wedding at The Edgewater Hotel was about more than simply finding a beautiful venue. Madison is where they met, where their relationship began, and where so many of their early memories together were formed.

Being able to celebrate their wedding day just minutes from the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus made the day feel even more meaningful.

Despite the rain, the atmosphere throughout the day remained relaxed and full of joy. Kara and Nicholas approached everything with the same spirit that defines their relationship—supportive, playful, and always working together.

A Wedding Day That Embraced the Unexpected

One of the most important parts of documenting a wedding day is staying present with whatever unfolds. With rain falling for much of the day, flexibility became essential—but those shifts often lead to the most genuine moments.

By staying calm and adaptable, the focus remained exactly where it belonged: on the experience Kara and Nicholas were sharing with the people who matter most to them.

In the end, their wedding day became a celebration not defined by the weather, but by the story that brought them back to Madison in the first place.

One advantage of Kara and Nicholas choosing to do a first look earlier in the day was the flexibility it helped create when the weather kept shifting. Rain showers moved in and out throughout the afternoon, but every now and then the clouds would lighten and the rain would pause just long enough for us to step outside. During one of those breaks we slipped out along the lakefront at The Edgewater Hotel for a few quick portraits overlooking Lake Mendota. Having already shared their first look meant there was no pressure or rigid timeline—we could simply take advantage of the moment when it appeared.

A Madison Wedding Full of Badger Spirit

One of the most memorable moments of Kara and Nicholas’ wedding was a surprise that perfectly reflected their time in Madison.

Attending sporting events at UW-Madison had been a huge part of their college experience, so they brought a little Badger spirit to their wedding day. To the delight of their guests, Bucky Badger made an appearance alongside the University of Wisconsin Marching Band.

The energy in the room instantly shifted as the band played and guests joined in the celebration. It was one of those moments that felt unmistakably Madison—joyful, nostalgic, and completely unforgettable.