An Eco-Friendly, Bohemian-Inspired Wedding at the Urban Ecology Center at Menomonee Valley in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Carmen Byker (28 and a food and nutrition professor) and Justin Shanks (34 and a director of learning technologies) met through mutual friends while attending graduate school at Virginia Tech. They soon found out they had plenty of the same interests ("health, fitness, good food, great books, aesthetically pleasing spaces, travel, and compelling media," they say) and went on a date to Pandapas Pond, where they went on a run with Justin's dog. After several years together and long distance, they were finally together again in Bozeman, Montana, and Justin decided it was time to propose. He took her to another of their favorite trails for a hike. When Carmen wanted to stop for a drink and turn around, he passed her a miniature bottle of champagne, saying, "I think you'll need this," and got down on one knee! They got married at the Urban Ecology Center at Menomonee Valley in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for its eco-friendly event space and hiking trail. Before the ceremony, they held a fika, a Swedish term for a short coffee and snack, where everyone drank Colectivo Coffee and treats from Troubadour Bakery. After the ceremony, rather than a traditional first dance, the couple and their guests ran a "Matrimonial Mile" along the trail before a reception of sandwiches, local craft beer, whiskey and ginger cocktails, and an unconventional "wedding cake" made from a tower of peanut butter cups. The tower was decorated with a whimsical LEGO cake topper, mirroring the one in the groom's boutonniere and the bride's bouquet. Carmen wore two dresses, one short and bohemian-inspired with a handmade lace "veil" headpiece from her twin sister and one more traditional from BHLDN with a veil made by her aunt. Both the bride and groom wore personalized sneakers, which came in handy for their celebratory run. "Everything from brainstorming to celebration, the entire event reflected our unique personalities, mutual interests, and aimed to share our happiness with the wonderful people in our lives," they conclude.