Mackenzie + Andrew

A Tale of Two Venues

Mackenzie + Andrew

he key to a happy marriage is compromise, or so the saying goes. In many ways, planning a wedding can be perfect practice for exactly that.

So when Mackenzie Straub envisioned a large wedding surrounded by all the couple’s friends and family, but her then- ancé, Andrew Markham, said he wanted a more intimate ceremony and reception, they turned their focus to what they could agree on: keeping the wedding locally sourced.

“It was natural for us to be married in Door County,” Straub said, “not only because of its beauty and because it is our home, but also to support all of the local vendors who work tirelessly throughout the year.” Straub was born in Door County and has lived here most of her life. Markham moved to Door County in 2016 and instantly fell in love with the area’s slower pace, abundance of natural beauty and small-town charm.

Door County is home to a lengthy list of wedding venues and vendors whose o erings t every wedding style and

Planning Pointer

Pinterest, Instagram and other social-media platforms can o er a never-ending source of wedding inspiration, and although it’s fun to be inspired, it’s also important to tailor those ideas to you: your vision, your venue and your budget. “The biggest thing that changed from my initial vision was we started thinking less is more,” Straub said. “We quickly realized not everything we saw online was feasible and had to adapt to this mindset shi .”

budget. By shi ing their collective focus to using local vendors wherever they could, Straub and Markham were able to prioritize and plan other aspects of the day with ease.

“We put our budget into local vendors as much as possible,” Straub said, even for the small details such as the reception placeholders and guest favors. That investment paid dividends for the couple, who said the personal attention they received from their vendors exceeded all expectations.

“Whether that be the hotels, the waitsta at the rehearsal dinners, your vendors for the day – they will all make sure everything is perfect,” Straub said.

Because of the peninsula’s relatively remote location and small size, some couples may think Door County lacks the necessary vendors or has limited choices. Not true, said Straub and Markham.

“We have so much talent on our peninsula that should be taken advantage of,” Straub said.

As for the couple’s nal decision on the size of their wedding? Door County o ered a solution for that, too. The couple reached a compromise, choosing to host a small-scale ceremony at Sunset Beach in Fish Creek, surrounded by 40 of their closest friends and family members, followed by a larger reception that featured an expanded guest list at the Sister Bay Marina.

“Both Sunset Beach Park and Sister Bay Marina capture the beauty of Door County,” Straub said. “Both o ered us the outdoor space and the exibility to create the wedding we dreamed of.”

Vendors

Wedding Planner: Door County Event Planners Photographer: Victoria Danielle Ceremony Venue: Sunset Park, Fish Creek Reception Venue: Marina Park, Sister Bay Catering/Dinner: Alexander’s Cake/Dessert: Blackbird Bake Shop Ceremony Music: Allegro Trio Reception Music/DJ: ACA Music and Entertainment Hair/Makeup: Amanda Weisgerber Flowers: Blossoms Flower House Bar Service: Door County Event Planners Transportation: Door County Trolley Tent Rental/Additional Décor: Event Essentials, BBJ Linen Rehearsal Dinner: CHOP