A Cozy Winter Wedding at The Lageret

We have a thing for The Lageret. December light in Wisconsin sits low and golden, and when it pours through those tall windows it turns exposed brick into something cinematic. Drew and Samantha’s winter wedding at The Lageret was exactly the kind of day we get excited about: candlelit, layered with texture, and full of two people who were completely at ease with each other. That energy gave us everything we needed.

Getting Ready Inside The Lageret’s Warm Wood Spaces

Samantha’s lace gown hung against a wall of reclaimed wood planks, and honestly, it barely needed us to do anything. The textures did the work. Blush heels, crystal earrings, an invitation suite with eucalyptus sprigs scattered across dark hardwood. Across the venue, Drew’s black suit waited on a hanger beside a rustic bench. Even before anyone was dressed, The Lageret’s character showed up in every frame.

Samantha got ready in a bright corner room with white-painted brick and soft window light. Her mom helped lift the dress, then buttoned her in while both of them were beaming. We pulled in close for the moment Samantha put on her earrings. She had this smile like she couldn’t quite believe the day was real. Those quiet, unhurried moments are where some of our favorite images live.

First Look by the Christmas Tree

For their first look, Drew and Samantha picked The Lageret’s main lounge area, right next to a frosted Christmas tree glowing with white lights. Timber trusses overhead, warm brick on every side, candles flickering on the mantel behind them. Drew’s face when Samantha tapped his shoulder was everything. That mix of nerves and awe never gets old for us, and these two gave us one of the best first-look reactions we’ve captured.

The wedding party headed outside after that for group photos in front of an industrial corrugated metal building. Black suits, black velvet bridesmaid dresses, white and green bouquets. Bold and clean against a raw, weathered backdrop. The bridal party brought huge energy, cheering as Drew and Samantha kissed in the center of the group. If you’re considering The Lageret for your own wedding, know that the industrial buildings just steps from the venue give you portrait options most places can’t touch.

A Candlelit Ceremony with Climbing Greenery

The ceremony space stopped us in our tracks. Asymmetric greenery climbed the exposed brick wall behind the altar. Pillar candles lined the floor, and an octagonal window let in just enough natural light to give us this gorgeous, layered glow. An “unplugged ceremony” sign greeted guests at the entrance, which meant no phones in the air, everyone fully present. The room was hushed and focused, and we shot wide to take in the full scope of that space.

Warm light spilled through the tall side windows as Drew and Samantha exchanged vows, catching the edges of Samantha’s veil in a way we couldn’t have planned if we tried. Their first kiss drew applause that echoed off the brick and timber. It felt intimate despite the size of the room. That balance is one of the things that makes this Stoughton venue so special for winter celebrations.

Golden Hour Portraits in the December Cold

December sunsets come early, so we pulled Drew and Samantha outside the second the ceremony ended to chase the last minutes of daylight. The light was low, hazy, and golden. Samantha’s veil caught the wind near the industrial buildings behind The Lageret. Drew adjusted his tie, completely backlit and calm. This is the kind of winter wedding at The Lageret gallery that reminds us why we push for those outdoor portraits even when it’s freezing. The cold is worth it. Every time.

Back inside, the venue’s interior light gave us a completely different mood. Edison bulbs glowed overhead while the couple sat together on a leather sofa beneath wood-plank walls. Then Samantha stood alone in front of a floor-length curtain, backlit so beautifully it looked like a painting. The last shot of the series was a black-and-white silhouette: the two of them pressed close, light streaming between the curtains behind. We didn’t direct much. They just found each other, and we stayed out of the way.

Reception Details and the First Dance

Every corner of the reception had something worth stopping for. A neon “Make It Great” sign glowed against a lush greenery wall near the entrance. The bar menu featured hand-illustrated signature cocktails. A hexagonal guest book sat beside flickering candles and framed photos. Over by the dessert table, Crumbl Cookies and Greenbush donuts filled a rustic wooden staircase display. Our cameras didn’t sit still for a second.

Drew and Samantha’s first dance might have been our favorite moment of the whole night. Edison bulbs hung overhead in the darkened room while guests circled the floor. The black-and-white conversion felt right for the mood: quiet, close, and completely theirs. That shift from a polished ceremony to a soft, candlelit first dance is something we live for. For more celebrations like this one, explore our wedding photography portfolio.