A Snowy Spring Wedding at Fête: Kat & Mike’s April Celebration

Snow was falling when we pulled up to Fête that morning, and honestly, it felt like the universe handing us something we never would have thought to ask for. Their spring wedding at Fete in Wales landed on April 2nd, a day Wisconsin decided to remind everyone that the seasons here do whatever they want. Kat and Mike didn’t flinch. They leaned all the way in, and the result was one of those galleries we still pull up months later just because we want to look at it again.

Getting Ready at Fête

The morning had that quiet, buzzing energy where everyone is smiling but trying to keep it together. On Kat’s side of the venue, her mom helped her into a lace gown and pinned the cathedral veil in front of a tall mirror. Soft light poured in, and the laughter between them was easy and constant. We pulled in close for these moments because that’s where the real tenderness lives, in the small gestures nobody thinks anyone is watching.

Meanwhile, Mike adjusted his tie while their dog absolutely stole the room in a tiny tuxedo and burgundy bow tie. A personalized flask, a deep red boutonniere, colorful chalk cubes on the table. Every detail felt like it had a story behind it. Then Mike’s mom walked in. The two of them fell into a hug that said everything without a single word. We switched to black and white for those frames, and they ended up being some of the most powerful images from the entire day. That kind of raw, unguarded emotion is something you can’t direct. You just have to be ready for it.

The Ceremony in a Room Full of Light

Fête’s ceremony space is striking on any day, but with snow pressing against those floor-to-ceiling windows, it became something else entirely. Dark wooden chairs lined the aisle, each accented with eucalyptus and berry sprigs tied with white ribbon. A burgundy velvet drape framed the altar alongside pink stargazer lilies and white roses. An unplugged ceremony sign greeted guests at the door, and once the music started, you could feel the whole room settle into this collective hush. If you’re considering Fête for your own wedding, know that those windows give you natural light that most venues simply cannot match, even on a gray, snowy afternoon.

Kat came down the aisle on her father’s arm, beaming. The vows were heartfelt. The whole room held its breath. After the first kiss, it was like someone flipped a switch. The wedding party cheered, groomsmen clapped, and the energy went from tender to electric in about two seconds. That shift is one of our favorite things to photograph because it happens so fast and so genuinely. We shot wide to catch the full eruption of the room, then pulled tight on Kat and Mike’s faces. Both angles tell a completely different story, and we needed them both.

Snow Portraits and Wedding Party Fun

After the ceremony, the entire wedding party bundled up and headed outside without a single complaint. In fact, they were louder and more energetic than most groups we photograph in July. The black-and-white group shot of everyone piling on top of Kat and Mike is pure chaos in the best way. Arms everywhere. Someone tossing a shoe. Grins from ear to ear. These are the frames that remind us why we love this job.

From there, we stole Kat and Mike away for couples portraits along a snowy path behind the venue. Bare trees and golden grass poked through the white ground. The soft overcast light gave us this moody, romantic quality that a sunny day never could have delivered. Their dog joined for a few frames, sitting perfectly on the train of Kat’s dress like he’d rehearsed it. These snowy portraits have a warmth that comes entirely from the way these two look at each other. The weather was cold. The images are anything but.

Reception Details and a Sparkler Send-Off

Back inside, the reception space was warm and layered with detail. Round tables with dark wooden chairs. Centerpieces of burgundy carnations, baby’s breath, and eucalyptus sitting on wood slices around rustic lanterns. A memorial table honored loved ones who couldn’t be there. Near the gift table, a wooden card box engraved with “Mr & Mrs Loney” sat alongside a seating chart and a “love” marquee sign. The bar area, framed by exposed brick and timber beams, kept the energy going all night. We love how Fête transitions from ceremony to reception. The architecture does so much of the heavy lifting.

The dessert spread deserves its own paragraph. A three-tier cake with a deep red base, silver lace detail, and chocolate drip top sat center stage, flanked by sheet cake, cupcakes, and treats on both sides. After toasts, dancing, and plenty of laughs, the night ended exactly the way it should have. Guests lined the walkway with sparklers held high while Kat and Mike kissed in the middle of it all. This is the kind of spring wedding at Fete in Wales that proves snow can be the best surprise a wedding day could ask for. We wouldn’t have changed a single thing about it.