The Fitzgerald

Wedding Day

Fall

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Day of Details

We can’t wait to celebrate with you!We’re so excited to share our big day with all of our favorite people. Here’s everything you need to know to join the fun and help us make it a night to remember! One venue, all the magicFrom the “I do” to the last dance, the entire celebration will take place at The Fitzgerald—a gorgeous space we fell in love with right here in Downtown Milwaukee. Ceremony kicks off at 4:30 PM!We’ll say our vows in the open-air courtyard, surrounded by love and a little fresh air—so dress to impress and for the weather. (Fingers crossed for sunshine and perfect temps!)The ceremony begins at 4:30 PM sharp! We recommend arriving 20–30 minutes early to allow time for parking, finding your seat, and settling in before the festivities begin. You won’t want to miss a moment! Cocktail hour: 5:00–6:00 PMAfter the ceremony, join us for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres as we ease into the evening. Grab a drink, snack on something delicious, and catch up with friends and family before dinner begins.To add a little extra flair, we’re turning cocktail hour into a mini masquerade! 🎭 Bring a mask (the fancier the better!) and join in on the fun. Don’t worry—it’s totally optional, but we’d love to see your creativity shine. Dinner served at 6:30 &amp; dancing to followNext up: a delicious buffet dinner and then the real party begins. We’re talking music, dancing, laughter, and memories you won’t forget. A quick note on kidsAs much as we love your little ones, we’ve decided to keep this celebration adults-only. We hope you can take the night off, let loose, and party with us! We’re counting down the days and can’t wait to see you on the dance floor. Bring your best moves, your biggest smiles, and get ready for a celebration full of love, laughter, and unforgettable moments!

Our Wedding

So What's The Plan?

We can’t wait to celebrate with you!We’re so excited to share our big day with all of our favorite people. Here’s everything you need to know to join the fun and help us make it a night to remember! One venue, all the magicFrom the “I do” to the last dance, the entire celebration will take place at The Fitzgerald—a gorgeous space we fell in love with right here in Downtown Milwaukee. Ceremony kicks off at 4:30 PM!We’ll say our vows in the open-air courtyard, surrounded by love and a little fresh air—so dress to impress and for the weather. (Fingers crossed for sunshine and perfect temps!)The ceremony begins at 4:30 PM sharp! We recommend arriving 20–30 minutes early to allow time for parking, finding your seat, and settling in before the festivities begin. You won’t want to miss a moment! Cocktail hour: 5:00–6:00 PMAfter the ceremony, join us for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres as we ease into the evening. Grab a drink, snack on something delicious, and catch up with friends and family before dinner begins.To add a little extra flair, we’re turning cocktail hour into a mini masquerade! 🎭 Bring a mask (the fancier the better!) and join in on the fun. Don’t worry—it’s totally optional, but we’d love to see your creativity shine. Dinner served at 6:30 &amp; dancing to followNext up: a delicious buffet dinner and then the real party begins. We’re talking music, dancing, laughter, and memories you won’t forget. A quick note on kidsAs much as we love your little ones, we’ve decided to keep this celebration adults-only. We hope you can take the night off, let loose, and party with us! We’re counting down the days and can’t wait to see you on the dance floor. Bring your best moves, your biggest smiles, and get ready for a celebration full of love, laughter, and unforgettable moments!

Our Story

Some love stories start with grand gestures, sweeping views, or long walks on the beach. Ours started with volleyball, bar games, and a very important question: “Do you like brunch?” It was May 2019— a warm Friday night, fresh off a big doubleheader win for Leah’s volleyball team. Spirits were high, so the team did what any good team would do: they went out to celebrate. The plan? Head to The Bottle, a casual bar with good vibes and better drinks, to meet up with some friends of a teammate. Simple enough.Leah didn’t know it yet, but this seemingly ordinary night was about to change everything. The bar was buzzing, the games were going, and everyone was in full weekend mode. At one point, Leah wandered over to the bar to grab a drink—and that’s when she bumped into a tall, charming ginger -- Brett. They struck up a conversation while waiting for the bartender, playfully bantering and laughing like old friends. Leah assumed he was just a friendly stranger. Turns out? He was one of the very people her teammate had invited. Small world, big twist. Brett, clearly intrigued, bought Leah a drink. They chatted a bit more before heading back to their separate groups. A fun little moment—but not the end of the story. The next day, Brett tracked Leah down on Facebook (classic move) and sent her a message. And just like that, the spark from the night before turned into a full-on connection. Within a few weeks, Brett came and joined the volleyball crew for post-game drinks. That night, he looked at Leah and casually asked, “Do you like brunch?”Leah’s answer—equal parts honest and iconic:“I’m a girl. Of course I love brunch.” That sealed it. Their first official date was the following afternoon at The Knick, and it couldn’t have gone better. The conversation was easy, the food was great, and they just… clicked. So much so, that neither of them wanted the date to end. Instead, they turned brunch into a full-day adventure—wandering down Brady Street, soaking up the sunshine, and eventually meeting up with friends later that night. It was one of those perfect days where everything just falls into place. From there, things moved fast—in the best way. That summer was packed with Brewers games, summer festivals, concerts, and Jazz in the Park. Brett introduced Leah to his love of racing at Road America. And together, they discovered a shared love for Halloween—it quickly became their favorite holiday and one they proudly host every year. The more time they spent together, the more it just made sense. Over the years, they tackled life as a team—moving in together, adopting furry sidekicks, navigating job changes, home projects, and even a worldwide pandemic. They supported each other through big wins and hard losses, made memories from Milwaukee to Europe, and danced their way through more than a few friends’ weddings. What started as a random Friday night at a local bar became something extraordinary. So no, there wasn’t a dramatic slow-motion moment or a soundtrack playing in the background. But there was a lot of laughter, a little fate, and a tall ginger who knew the way to a girl’s heart might just be through brunch.

First Year Highlights 

Photos

Our Wedding Party! 

Here are our chosen people— these are our all stars, our ride-or-dies, the inside-jokers, and the lifelong partners in crime. We're so grateful to have them standing with us on such a special day, we couldn’t imagine it without them!

Bridal Party

-  - Zoe Braun 

-  - Sarah Banano

-  - Emily Tayler

-  - Lauren Doss

-  - Carley Musbach

Flower Girls

-  - Bailey Musbach    

-  - Emersyn Musbach

-  - Isabella Banano   

Groomsmen 

-  - Dave Blankenheim

-  - Alex Sasha 

-  - Peter Shutt

-  - Dan Lentsch

-  - Jeramey Jannene

Ushers 

-  - TJ Ball

-- Andrew Michaels

Officiant

-  - Sam Nobiensky

Wedding Party

Q + A

Where to Stay: 

We’ve reserved a room block at the&nbsp;Hilton Garden Inn Downtown. This hotel is extra convenient since&nbsp;The Hopp&nbsp;(Milwaukee’s streetcar) picks up right out front and drops you just two blocks from the venue. Plus, it’s in a prime spot near the Third Ward—perfect if you’re planning to enjoy more of Milwaukee after the big day! The Hilton offers valet parking or there are public lots nearby. Reservation link: <a href="https://group.hiltongardeninn.com/wg64ip" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://group.hiltongardeninn.com/wg64ip</a> Looking for something within walking distance of the venue and with a little more character? Check out the&nbsp;Knickerbocker&nbsp;or&nbsp;County Clare, both are just around the corner and have surface lot parking. You’ll find details for all three options below.

In the heart of downtown Milwaukee, this hotel offers spacious rooms with free Wi-Fi and large flat-screen TVs. A modern fitness center is available on site. Tea and coffee-making essentials, a refrigerator and a microwave are available in every room and suite at Hilton Garden Inn Milwaukee Downtown. An iPod docking station and ironing facilities are also provided in each room. Guests can enjoy the five story atrium with marble, granite and iron finishes or relax under the immense skylight. A laundromat and a business center are available to all guests. Great American Grill, on the property, offers dining options for breakfast lunch and dinner. The Pavilion Pantry offers an assortment of beverages and ready-to-cook meals bound for the in-room microwave or refrigerator. Cocktails are served each evening in the Pavilion Lounge. BMO Harris Bradley Center, Frontier Airlines Center and the Milwaukee Theater are within one mile of this hotel. Discovery World and the shores of Lake Michigan are a 5 minute drive away.

Hilton Garden Inn Milwaukee Downtown

With a stay at County Clare Irish Hotel & Pub in Milwaukee (East Town), you'll be within a 5-minute drive of Riverside Theater and Milwaukee Art Museum. This hotel is 1 mi (1. 6 km) from Fiserv Forum and 1. 4 mi (2. 2 km) from Wisconsin Center. Make use of convenient amenities, which include complimentary wireless Internet access and a picnic area. Featured amenities include complimentary wired Internet access, dry cleaning/laundry services, and luggage storage. Free self parking is available onsite. Enjoy a satisfying meal at County Clare Irish Pub serving guests of County Clare Irish Hotel & Pub. Wrap up your day with a drink at the bar/lounge. A complimentary continental breakfast is served daily from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM. Make yourself at home in one of the 29 air-conditioned guestrooms. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Bathrooms with separate bathtubs and showers feature jetted bathtubs and complimentary toiletries. Conveniences include coffee/tea makers and irons/ironing boards, and housekeeping is provided daily.

County Clare Irish Hotel & Pub

Featuring a full kitchen in every room, this downtown Milwaukee hotel is a 4-minute walk from the Lake Michigan waterfront. Free Wi-Fi access is available. Cable TV is provided in every spacious room at Knickerbocker on the Lake. Featuring a bathtub or shower, the private bathrooms also include a hairdryer. The Knick Salon and Spa features massage services, hair and skin care, and much more. Other facilities include meeting facilities and dry cleaning. The Knick Restaurant is on site and serves American cuisine in an upscale atmosphere. Guests can enjoy their meal on the outdoor patio that overlooks Lake Michigan. The hotel is 1 mile from Midwest Airlines Center, 4 miles from Miller Park and about a half mile from Milwaukee Art Museum. General Mitchell Airport is 7 miles away.

The Knickerbocker on the Lake

Travel

Registry

Things to Do

Key points to remember:

- The cocktail hour is a mini-masquerade ball. If you choose to participate, bring a mask along but save wearing it until after the ceremony. - The ceremony will be outdoors unless it rains, the venue has coat check so dress appropriately. - During the ceremony, please keep your cellphones silent and stashed, our amazing photographer will be handling the snapshots and we'll share them afterwards.

Important Times:

- 4:00-4:15 Arrival and seating- 4:30 The ceremony will promptly start to ensure sunlight remains- 5:00 Cocktail hour starts immediately following the ceremony- 6:00 Seating for dinner- 11:00 End time

Parking:

Unfortunately The Fitzgerald does not have a dedicated parking lot. For street parking, look around just north of the venue. MPS schools are off on the 7th, so there should be extra parking available on the streets around the Lincoln Center of the Arts. There is a surface lot ~3 blocks from the venue on Van Buren St. and Knapp St. (FYI you must have quarters to pay on exit). If you prefer parking in a structure, we recommend the garage on Wells St. and Milwaukee St. This garage is on the free to ride Hop streetcar route which has a stop ~3 blocks from the venue or a quick Uber/Lyft ride.

Relevant Addresses:

- The Fitzgerald 1119 N Marshall St, Milwaukee, WI 53202- The Knickerbocker 1028 E Juneau Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202- Hilton Garden Inn 611 N Broadway, Milwaukee, WI 53202- Colby Abbot Garage Parking 767 N Milwaukee St, Milwaukee, WI 53202

Brett & Leah