Wedding Day

St. Marcus Lutheran Church

Ceremony

The Factory on Barclay

Reception

Summer

Our Wedding

Justine & Brandon

Justine and Brandon met in the University of Wisconsin Marching Band, where Brandon played the snare drum and Justine played the trumpet. Brandon wanted to know who the cute trumpet player was standing a few rows ahead of him, but it wasn't until the first run-out concert that spring that he and Justine got to know each other. Things didn't quite line up the first few years due to Justine studying abroad and Brandon graduating and moving away from Madison, but in early 2017 they finally quit putting off the inevitable and started dating.

They both moved to Milwaukee in 2018 where Brandon works at the Medical College of Wisconsin as a research coordinator and Justine works for Findorff construction as a project manager. Since then, Brandon and Justine have gone on countless adventures - camping trips, kayaking through the Apostle Islands, ski trips, bike rides, and a trip to Ireland in 2019, to name a few!

In early 2022, Brandon and Justine took off on their most recent adventure - a ski trip to Breckenridge, CO. There was one particular ski run that they both wanted to try because it was at the top of the mountain above the tree line, so they decided to head there the morning of the first day. Brandon mentioned to Justine on the chair lift ride up that they should pull over and grab a picture together at the very top. Little did he know that the "very top" was not that large and very steep, so the two had no choice but to ski down to the tree line where they found leveler, less occupied ground. It was there that Brandon got down on one knee and asked Justine to marry him and she said yes!!

Our Story

2:00 PM CEREMONY

St. Marcus Lutheran Church2215 N Palmer StMilwaukee, WI

5:00 PM RECEPTION

The Factory on Barclay1120 S Barclay StMilwaukee, WI

6:00 PM DINNER

7:00 PM SPEECHES & DANCING

Schedule

Lizzy. Justine's close friend from UW and beyond (two-hour Babcock ice cream dates morphed into alternating city visits after college). Lover of The Office, Tolkien enthusiast, and member of both the Bills Mafia and Spartan Trifecta tribe.

Lizzy Krueger

Erika. Befriended the bride in grade school and has been a close friend and role model ever since. Will gladly smoke you in a game of cards. World traveler, swing dance devotee, and classic movie buff.

Erika Lichtfuss

Sarah. Childhood neighbor of the bride. Adulthood neighbor of the bride. Sewing wizard, MacGyver of home improvement projects, theater lover and producer.

Sarah Martens

Kerianne. Justine's UW Band counterpart and college roommate. Bonded over sweltering hot and freezing cold band practices, scavenger hunts, and sharing a closet for two years. Disney lover and explorer of foreign countries.

Kerianne Pawley

Brittany. Sister of the groom. PA and suture magician, avid runner, lover of small dogs, and New Zealand white wine aficionado.

Brittany Berens

Alyssa. Sister of the groom. Most likely to be found listening to live music, wake surfing on various Wisconsin lakes, or catching keeper fish through waves or holes in the ice.

Alyssa Berens

Andrew. Best bud of the groom. Fellow player of the snare drum for Bucky Badger and the Green & Gold (GPG). Spent many great days with Brandon traveling the country playing drums in college. Connoisseur of Midwest weather reporting, the gnarly tumblers of SoCal, the Lobstahs of Boston, and everything in between. Yee.

Andrew Klunick

Eric. Another drummer for Bucky Badger. Lover of all things Fine Pilsner Beer. A-List television producer/engineer. Production company he owns previously sponsored a “major” race team (bet you can guess which one… #22). All-around great guy that will do anything to help out a friend. 

Eric Schwierske

Vince. Builder of ships for the US Navy. Yet another drummer for Bucky Badger, and roommate of nearly 5 years from the dorms through graduation. Fellow Subaru WRX enthusiast (AKA the “guess what I had to rebuild/replace on this car lately” club). 

Vince Luangrath

Corey. Roommate of nearly 5 years (how do these guys keep living with Brandon for that long?). Catan adversary (no I will not trade you my sheep, but I have a rock). Spent every minute together for like 6 months straight (thanks, COVID). Co-Chair of the esteemed Pigeon Committee™️. Golf partner for life.

Corey Laabs

Brad. Brother of the bride. AH-64 Apache mechanic in the US Army. Freak on the keys (seriously, he plays a killer piano). Fellow lover of anything with an engine we can go fast in (or try to fix, for that matter, hah). 

Brad Hansel

Dylan. Cousin of the groom, who is more like a brother to him. Sheriff’s Deputy and all-around badass. Protects not only the community from danger, but also saves Brandon from having to take way too many pictures with his sisters at family events.

Dylan Helmrick

Wedding Party

St. Marcus Lutheran Church2215 N Palmer StMilwaukee, WI Parking available in lot next to church - access off of Palmer St.Plenty of street parking available on surrounding streets.

Factory on Barclay1120 S Barclay StMilwaukee, WI Limited parking available in lot next to venue.Plenty of street parking available on surrounding streets.

Hotels

Courtyard by Marriott, Downtown MilwaukeeValet Parking $32/dayParking Ramp $22/day Fairfield Inn &amp; Suites, West MilwaukeeFree surface parking lot

FREE OVERNIGHT STREET PARKING

Balking at parking structure prices? Never fear; street parking in downtown Milwaukee is a cheap (read: free) and easy way to stow your vehicle.* The link below will take you to the City of Milwaukee website where you can register for up to three nights of free overnight parking. If you park overnight on the street without registering your vehicle, you may receive a ticket.** Two ways to register a vehicle: A. Link to Overnight Parking Site: https://city.milwaukee.gov/Parking/ParkingPermits/Online-Night-Parking-Permission-RequestB. Call to Register for Overnight Parking: (414) 286-8300 *DISCLAIMER I: If you own a Hyundai or Kia, we strongly recommend parking in a covered structure rather than street parking. Car theft in Milwaukee is prevalent and Hyundais/Kias are often targeted because they are easiest to steal. **DISCLAIMER II: If you street park during the day, pay close attention to parking signs and hourly limits, which generally apply from 8am-6pm. Overnight parking registration won't apply during these hours.

Directions and Parking

Courtyard by Marriott

300 W Michigan St, Milwaukee, WI Check-in Dates:&nbsp;July 28th or July 29th, 2023Rate: $199Distance from Reception: 1.6 miRoom Block Link:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marriott.com/events/start.mi?id=1661444556734&amp;key=GRP" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Courtyard Hansel/Berens Wedding</a>Call to Reserve: the hotel directly at&nbsp;414-291-4122&nbsp;and reference the&nbsp;Hansel Berens Wedding Room Block&nbsp;at the&nbsp;Courtyard&nbsp;Milwaukee Downtown&nbsp;and the dates you would like to stay to reserve a room at the group rates. Google Maps:https://g.page/CourtyardMilwaukeeDowntown?share - This rate is available until June 28th or until all rooms are booked, whichever comes first.- Room types: 2 Queen Beds (limited availability) or 1 King Bed + pull-out couch (brand-new)- A reservation can be made for the night of July 28th, the night of July 29th, or for both nights. (If using the link, the reservation may default to two nights, but can be changed to just one)- Complimentary&nbsp;shuttle service&nbsp;may be available to and from reception (Courtyard guests only).

Fairfield Inn & Suites - Milwaukee West

4229 W National Ave, West Milwaukee, WI Check-in Dates:&nbsp;July 28th or July 29th, 2023Rate: $189Distance from Reception: 3.2 miRoom Block Link:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marriott.com/events/start.mi?id=1667530779724&amp;key=GRP" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fairfield Hansel/Berens Wedding</a>Call to Reserve: the hotel directly at&nbsp;414-645-2800&nbsp;and reference the&nbsp;Hansel Berens Wedding Room Block&nbsp;at the&nbsp;Fairfield West Milwaukee&nbsp;and the date(s) you would like to stay to reserve a room at the group rates. Google Maps:https://goo.gl/maps/EkwRN4PS6jTAn8ZK9 - This rate is available until June 28th or until all rooms are booked, whichever comes first.- Room types: 2 queen beds or 1 king bed as available.- A reservation can be made for the night of July 28th, the night of July 29th, or for both nights.

Registry