Gina + Blake | The Greenhouse at Bittersweet, La Crosse, WI
Gina and Blake’s wedding at The Greenhouse at Bittersweet in La Crosse, WI was the perfect celebration of not just a wedding day but the start of a meaningful, joy-filled marriage. Every detail was beautifully planned, but what stood out most was the genuine love and deep affection these two share. It was clear to everyone present that their marriage will be one rooted in joy, commitment, and a love that lasts.
The warm June day began at the charming farmhouse Airbnb onsite at The Greenhouse at Bittersweet. While the ladies got ready with hair by Zoie Twite of Lush Salon and makeup by The Resoul Day Spa, the guys were buttoning up tuxes from Charlotte’s Bridal. Blake’s boys looked adorable in their matching tuxes and blush pink bowties, and seeing them help their dad get ready was one of the sweetest moments of the morning.
Bittersweet Flower Market created breathtaking bouquets in soft coral and peach tones that paired beautifully with the bridesmaids’ dresses. Each bouquet was truly a work of art.
After a playful moment in the clawfoot bathtub, Gina stepped into her dream gown from Charlotte’s Bridal, with her mom and sister helping with the final buttons and jewelry. She slipped on her Kate Spade Bianca mules and was ready to see her groom.
With the temperature nearing 90 degrees, the beautiful interior of The Greenhouse at Bittersweet was the perfect location for first looks. Gina shared a touching moment with her dad before seeing Blake for the first time, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. One of the most unforgettable moments was seeing Blake’s children run to greet Gina, their love for her evident throughout the entire day.
The couple then exchanged vows in a heartfelt ceremony at First Lutheran Church in Onalaska, surrounded by family and friends. The ceremony was filled with reverence, meaning, and joy as they promised forever to each other.
Back at The Greenhouse at Bittersweet, guests enjoyed cocktail hour, dinner, and dancing as they celebrated the newlyweds. The venue was beautifully styled with rentals from Resource Vintage Rental, custom signs and coasters from Truly Engaging, a gorgeous charcuterie board from Hunt + Gather, and desserts from Meringue Bakery. Dinner from 4 Sisters was a hit, and Colin Wilkinson of DJ Kurt Ruslin kept the dance floor full all night. It was a joy working alongside Mazy from Wild Hearts Creative as she captured the day on video.
Mixed in with the big moments of the day were the small, quiet moments that truly make a wedding unforgettable. Gina’s hands clenched in excitement before seeing Blake for the first time, the couple’s rings being prayed over by family and friends, the sweet way a four-year-old asks for his new stepmom, the heartfelt tears during speeches, and the way this new family of four embraced each other with so much love.
These moments are what truly create a wedding day to remember and a marriage that will last a lifetime.
Congratulations, Gina and Blake! Your day was an honor to capture, and your love is a beautiful reminder of what a wedding day is truly about.
If you’re planning your own wedding I’d love to help capture your story, too! Ready to book your wedding photography? Contact me HERE to chat about your vision!
Jo - Jo Gilge Photography
www.jogilge.com
A special thanks to all of the couple’s carefully chosen vendors:
Photographer: Jo Gilge Photography
Venue: The Greenhouse at Bittersweet
Videographer: Wild Hearts Creatives
Bridal gown: Charlotte's Bridal
Groom’s wear: Charlotte's Bridal
Caterer: 4 Sisters
Dessert: Meringue Bakery
Florist: Bittersweet Flower Market
Entertainment: DJ Kurt Ruslin
Bridal Hair: Zoie Twite with Lush Salon
Bridal Makeup: Resoul Day Spa
Charcuterie: Hunt + Gather
Signage: Truly Engaging
Rentals: Resource Vintage Rental



