Courtney & James: Sanctuary on King Wedding Photos in La Crosse

Courtney showed up in a full ball gown with a tiara. James couldn’t stop grinning from the moment his mom pinned his boutonniere. That energy set the tone for an entire day that bounced between deeply emotional and wildly fun. Their Sanctuary on King wedding photos tell the story of a couple who wanted every single person (and pet) they love in the frame. From a historic ceremony in La Crosse to golden hour portraits on a bluff overlook, we were along for all of it.

Getting Ready at Stoney Creek Inn

The morning kicked off at the Stoney Creek Inn in La Crosse. The lodge-style rooms gave us warm tones and enough natural light to work with. Courtney’s mom helped her into that stunning lace ball gown. Across the hall, James was laughing while his mom adjusted his pink bow tie. One of our favorite frames from the morning is the flower girl reaching up to touch Courtney’s face. Completely unscripted, completely perfect.

The detail shots came together beautifully too. A custom wire hanger, floral stationery with a laser-cut envelope, brown leather wingtips on a birch log. Every piece had personality. If you’re planning a Stoney Creek Inn La Crosse wedding and getting ready on-site, the rooms photograph really well. The outdoor areas give you even more options.

Letters on the Steps of The Sanctuary

Before the ceremony, Courtney and James stood back-to-back on the brick steps of The Sanctuary on King. They read letters they’d written to each other. That red brick archway with the arched transom window gave the scene a quiet, almost timeless quality. Neither one could see the other’s face. But you could feel everything just from their body language. Moments like these are exactly why we build time for a private letter exchange into the timeline.

Organ Pipes and a Dog Down the Aisle

The Sanctuary on King is one of those ceremony spaces that does all the heavy lifting. Grand organ pipes tower behind the altar. Rich wood paneling lines the walls. Stained glass catches the afternoon light. The wedding party stood on a red-carpeted platform, and the whole scene felt cinematic without trying. Their dog walked down the aisle first, which got the entire room laughing before Courtney even appeared.

Then she came down on her father’s arm, bouquet in hand. James just lost it. His reaction is one of those frames we shot wide from across the room to capture the full scope of the moment. A wooden sign near the entrance read “James ♥ Courtney, July 17, 2021.” Honestly, we love when couples add those personal touches. They anchor the day in a specific place and time.

Bar Stop at Brothers and Portraits Around La Crosse

After the ceremony, the whole wedding party piled into Brothers Bar & Grill in downtown La Crosse for a celebratory round. That black-and-white frame of everyone raising their glasses is pure chaos in the best way. From there, we moved into portrait time. The full bridal party lined up at a city park fountain with the water behind them. Bridesmaids in blush pink against that green backdrop gave us a gorgeous range of color.

But the real magic happened at the bluff overlook. Light filtered through the trees. Courtney’s gown caught every bit of it when she spun on the walkway. That panoramic view of La Crosse stretched out below them, and the sky cooperated perfectly. Soft golden light, an easy couple, and a view like that? We barely had to direct them. That’s when we do our best work.

Golden Hour, Dogs, and a Denim Jacket

Golden hour delivered. Courtney and James brought their two dogs out for portraits in a grassy field. The sun was dropping behind the trees. The whole scene felt like a family photo in the best possible sense. One dog wore a tiny white tutu. The other had a pink bow tie. James kissed one while Courtney held the other. The joy on their faces was absolutely real.

Later, Courtney threw on a custom denim jacket with “Mrs. Siber” stitched across the back. She pressed her forehead against James’s beside a wall of grapevines. That jacket gave the portraits a completely different personality. Then came the twirl. Golden light flooding in from behind, James spinning Courtney in a parking lot. Sometimes the simplest settings produce the most striking images. As a La Crosse WI wedding photographer, this is exactly the kind of session that reminds us why we love traveling for weddings.

The Reception and a Live Painter

Back at Stoney Creek Inn, the reception room was glowing. White draping, string lights, a greenery-wrapped chandelier with glass orbs, table settings in blush and gold. Every detail reflected Courtney and James’s style. The cake featured hand-painted illustrations of their dogs. The cookie spread matched the floral palette perfectly. A photo collage guest book and a “#SimplySiber” hashtag sign rounded things out with personality.

The standout moment at the reception? A live painter capturing their first dance on canvas in real time. That’s something we’ve only seen a handful of times. It adds a layer to the evening that photographs beautifully. The couple swayed under the greenery chandelier while the artist worked just a few feet away. Brushstrokes built the scene as it unfolded. Two art forms happening in the same room, and we were right there with our cameras making it three.