Harvest Moon Pond

Rehearsal Dinner

Wedding Day

Bridal Shower

Our Wedding

[Beloit College, April 2020]‎ ‎‎It was February 2020, also known as the "before times." Gretchen was living in the Williamson Street area of Madison, and Nate was living in Beloit. However, they matched on Tinder even though they both had their settings on "match within 5 miles of me". After talking for a bit, they eventually figured out that this was because Nate had been in town for a concert and stayed at a hotel only a few blocks from where Gretchen's house was. If that wasn't a sign, they didn't know what was!‎ ‎‎After 3 dates the world was turned upside down with the onset of the COVID pandemic. Being pragmatic people, Gretchen and Nate decided to spend spring break together in isolation; thereby reducing the risk to themselves and others while still having the fun that new couples should have in spite of the changing world around them.‎‎The world at the time wasn't the only thing changing. Throughout this time Nate and Gretchen learned from one another and continued to grow together establishing a cultural foundation for their relationship that continues to this day.‎ ‎‎Of course personal growth doesn't mean you can't have any fun! Since they met Gretchen and Nate have road-tripped to Seattle, and Tennessee (3 times!); attended at least 3 Trampled by Turtles concerts; camped all over Wisconsin and Northern Illinois; adopted 3 gremlins (they're adorable, promise); got motorcycle licenses and motorcycles; bought 2 cars and are working on a house.‎ ‎‎‎The sense of adventure and growth they share is both a hallmark of their past and a guiding light for years to come. They are both so grateful to their friends and family for their love and support and can't wait to celebrate the wedding!

It All Started With A Swipe ...

Our Story

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DeAnna and Gretchen met through a mutual friend shortly before Gretchen moved to Madison, and bonded over their matching coats and love of good food. The two were roommates for six years, ran a restaurant together, and have had lots of late nights and growth experiences. Though Gretchen and De were inseparable, they both eventually found their respective “Nathans” and DeAnna has now been married for three years with two cats and two dogs. She thrives in the outdoors and these days you can find her hiking in a National Forest or exploring a new remote location.

DeAnna

Gretchen and Sonya met one night, long ago, while Gretchen was working at City Bar.  A mutual acquaintance introduced them with the (silly) logic that all people who have tattoos should get along and they immediately bonded over the eye roll they both threw his way. As an avid sailor and part time sailing instructor, Sonya made it a mission to get Gretchen to come out sailing whenever possible on Lake Mendota. Through lake time, concerts, shared dinners, and Netflix binges the friendship grew to something steady like that of a found family. When Sonya isn't sailing, she loves reading (she read 204 books last year) and spending time with her son and her dog.

Sonya

Ada met Gretchen shortly after moving to Wisconsin, via a weekly ttrpg group. Their friendship grew from there, over many nights visiting Gretchen at work and takeout dinners. Their friendship has lasted through many defining moments and large changes in each of their lives.
Ada works as a software engineer and is a musician, drumming or playing bass in several local bands. She's also an avid Ultimate Frisbee player, playing rec league and club in Madison. Her other hobbies are gaming, knitting, and pretending to work while hanging out at coffee shops.

Annie lives in Milwaukee with her fiancée and three cats. When she isn’t buying supplies for a hobby she’ll promptly forget, she’s likely staring at the various crochet animal parts she has scattered around her house. She met Gretchen behind the bar at City Bar, and while they both fondly remember the "good ol' days," Annie is mostly just glad their 3:00 a.m. nights now involve sleeping instead of restocking the beer cooler.

Annie

Christian first met Nate soon after moving to Stillman Valley in the sixth grade. They became fast friends bonding over video games, music, and a shared sense of humor. The two remained close throughout high school and college, eventually finding themselves both living in Denver at the same time. Some of Christian's fondest memories include camping with Nate in the Rocky Mountains, and a bikepacking and kayaking trip the two took across Southwestern Wisconsin. Like Nate, Christian moved back to the Midwest to be closer to family. He now lives in Rockford, IL with his girlfriend and works as a quality supervisors for a pharmaceutical packaging company. In his free time he enjoys live music, antiquing/thrifting and training to almost finish a triathlon. 

Christian

Taylor met Gretchen through recovery, and after hearing him talk incessantly about disc golf, they insisted that he meet Nate. The two are equally as nerdy about the sport, and instantly hit it off. Taylor enjoys a good hyzerflip down a wooded fairway, tinkering with home servers, and fast hatchbacks.

Taylor

One day Curtis was driving to a local disc golf shop and noticed a bright orange bean (Ford Fiesta ST) cruising behind him. He thought, "Oh cool, another Fiesta owner." Never did he think that person would follow him into said disc golf shop. That's how he met Nate. They chatted for a while and went to play a round of disc golf. Not long after playing a couple of rounds Nate started to mention Gretchen and how awesome of a person they were. Eventually they met for a board game night and other hang outs. Per Curtis, Gretchen was indeed the wonderful person Nate hyped up. He looks forward to celebrating Nate and Gretchen's special day together with them. Curtis enjoys making video games, working on cars, bowling, general nerdy computer stuff and of course, disc golfing.

Curtis

Ed is a classical singer and composer, who is lucky enough to have sung with Grammy-winning ensembles and have had his compositions performed by musicians across the US and in seven other countries. He is a graduate of Knox College, where he started his career in music and, more importantly, met Nate in the fall of 2009. Fellow baritones in the Knox College Choir, they hit it off immediately and became friends for life within a few weeks, sharing many cherished memories, countless laughs, and an insane amount of pizza as roommates from 2010 to 2012. Outside of music, Ed enjoys open world video games, writing, Westerns, long walks, seafood, and a good cocktail.

Wedding Party

What Is Cocktail Wedding Attire?

Cocktail Dresses to Add to Your Cart ASAP

What Guys Need to Know About Dress Codes

We'd love to see you all dressed up! Nice, but not too nice is the perfect attire for our wedding. At the end of the day, though, we're excited to see you most of all!

Dress Code

Cambria Hotel Madison East

Travel

Olbrich Botanical Gardens is a beautiful 16-acre outdoor botanical garden and 10,000-square-foot conservatory. The botanical garden has free entry, and the conservatory is $6 paid entry. Between the sunken garden, shade garden, Royal Thai pavilion, and and various meditation gardens, there's something for everyone! Olbrich even offers guided golf cart tours for those folks who may not want to spend all day on their feet.

Olbrich Botanical Gardens

Henry Vilas Zoo is a fully accredited by the&nbsp;Association of Zoos and Aquariums. This beautiful zoo features&nbsp;an indoor Herpetarium, Aviary, Discovery Center, and Primate Building, as well as various outdoor exhibits, including a Conservation Carousel for those who want to explore their inner child! Admission is free but donations are appreciated.

Henry Vilas Zoo

Picnic Point, a nearly mile-long peninsula along Lake Mendota’s south shore, is among Madison’s most distinctive features and is probably the most popular destination in the Preserve. The hike is nice and short with a beautiful view of the Capitol from the tip of the peninsula. Paid parking is required if not biking or busing.

Picnic Point

Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park is the largest wetland in Dane County, with trails and boardwalks that explore restored prairie, oak savanna, and woodland.

Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - North

Locally owned and operated arcade specializing in old-fashioned video games, plus skee-ball, pinball &amp; pool (and Dance Dance Revolution!). Open Sun-Thurs 10am-10pm and Sat 10am-Midnight. Price is $15/person for unlimited play &amp; $8/person 2 hours before close. Family pricing is also available.

Geeks Mania Arcade

I/O offers custom cocktails, craft beers, THC drinks or mocktails while you game. And if the screens get too bright, settle down at the bar or grab a board game and claim a table. Open Tues-Thurs 4pm-12pm, Fri 4pm-2am, Sat 11am-2:30am, and Sun 11am-12am. I/O is a 21+ establishment but offers all-ages hours every Saturday &amp; Sunday 11am-2pm.

I/O Arcade Bar

A Room of One's Own is a local indie bookstore that offers a wide selection of current and classic fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels, local interest titles, gifts, toys, and greeting cards. They also have strong children's and young adult, women's studies, and LGBTQ fiction and nonfiction sections. Open Sun-Fri 11am-7pm &amp; Sat 10am-7pm. (Free) street parking available.

A Room of One’s Own

Forward Craft &amp; Coffee offers craft beer, espresso (Gretchen recommends the Fox Paw), and handcrafted cocktails in a cozy space with great ambiance. There is also a board game shelf if you want to settle in and stay for a while! Open Mon 7am-Noon, Tues-Fri 7am-9pm, and Sat &amp; Sun 7am-6pm.

Forward Craft & Coffee

This casual coffee shop is located inside Focus Board Shop, so you can buy that new skateboard you've been meaning to snag and an espresso at the same time! And while you're at it, you might as well grab a tasty treat from a featured local bakery. Open Mon-Fri 7:30am-2:30pm, Sat 8am-3pm, and Sun 8am-2pm.

Gretchen & Nathaniel

Gretchen & Nathaniel

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