A woman in a wedding dress embraces a man in a suit on a country road at their Horstmann Homestead wedding, proudly showing her engagement ring.

A Joyful Summer Celebration at Horstmann Homestead | Wisconsin Wedding

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Some weddings are about the union, others about the celebration — and this one was all about joy. Already legally married, this couple gathered friends and family for an unforgettable summer party at the scenic Horstmann Homestead in Wisconsin. With tractor rides, fire-lit skies, and a bakery lineup worthy of the Food Network, this was the kind of wedding that reminded everyone what it means to have fun.

Military Roots and Midwest Soul

The groom, currently serving in the Navy and based in D.C., flew home with one of his closest brothers-in-arms by his side — a friend whose presence meant the world. The bride, deeply rooted in the La Crosse community, brought together a vibrant group of high school, college, and Java Vino friends. It was clear this wasn’t just a guest list. It was a tapestry of relationships.

Horstmann Homestead: The Perfect Venue for a Laid-Back Party

Horstmann Homestead offered the perfect blend of rustic beauty and wide-open space for a party like this. The rolling Wisconsin hills and open-air setting allowed everyone to relax and celebrate freely — even with the air quality alert drifting in from the Canadian wildfires.

Guests roamed between charming barn backdrops and open fields, catching tractor rides between drinks and dessert runs. The homestead atmosphere matched the couple’s energy: playful, grounded, and completely unpretentious.

Desserts from a Food Network Star

Let’s talk sweets.

The dessert spread came courtesy of Jen Barney at Meringue Bakery & Cafe, who’s no stranger to awards (and winning over hearts). Her treats — each one crafted like edible art — were a massive hit, and she even handed me some extra goodies to bring home. That level of kindness and artistry is what makes Jen a favorite every time we work together.

Catering, Chaos, and Character

Dinner was served by 4 Sisters Catering out of La Crosse — a team of energetic, spunky women who matched the tone of the day perfectly. Between heartfelt toasts and a few too many spilled drinks, the family leaned into the chaos with laughter and love.

Every moment carried personality, from the grandmother dancing in her own lane to the bridal party creating spontaneous photo ops and storytelling circles.

Capturing the Spirit of the Day

As a photographer, I love documenting the unique chemistry each couple brings to their wedding. This one? It was warm, wild, and full of soul. The kind of wedding where candids outshone poses and every belly laugh made the gallery stronger.

The bride’s joy was infectious, and the groom’s quiet strength grounded the whole day. From the small touches (handwritten notes, personal favors) to the big ones (community, food, music), it was all about creating space for connection.

Planning Your Wedding at Horstmann Homestead

If you’re dreaming of a wedding that trades formality for freedom — one where the open sky feels like part of the guest list — Horstmann Homestead is a gem of a venue. Its rustic barns, sprawling fields, and Wisconsin charm make it ideal for couples who want to celebrate in their own unique way.

You can read more about the venue in our Horstmann Homestead Venue Guide.

Vendors Who Made It Happen

Click here to see the full wedding gallery

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Four older men stand and talk in front of a red wooden wall at the Horstmann Homestead wedding, dressed in casual shirts and sunglasses. A small table with flowers is visible nearby.
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A young man in a black shirt holding a can smiles while talking to others at an outdoor Horstmann Homestead wedding.
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A wooden table set for a Horstmann Homestead wedding features white napkins, silverware, a potted succulent on a wood slice, artificial candles, and a greenery runner as the centerpiece.
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A group of women stand together and talk at a Horstmann Homestead wedding, with one woman in glasses smiling at the camera while others are engaged in conversation.
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A man in a suit hugs a woman in a white dress from behind as they both smile and laugh, standing outdoors among lush greenery at their Horstmann Homestead wedding.
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A woman in a black and white dress stands in the foreground, holding her hand to her face at a Horstmann Homestead wedding. Three other people are in the background at an outdoor gathering.
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A bride and groom share their first dance under a pavilion at their Horstmann Homestead wedding, with a barn and guests in the background; warm light flares in the foreground.
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A black and white photo from a Horstmann Homestead wedding shows two people sitting side by side at a wooden table, with one person's hand resting gently on the other's.
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A bride and groom kiss outdoors near a brick building at their Horstmann Homestead wedding, embracing each other in wedding attire with lush greenery in the background.
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A close-up black and white photo of a couple embracing at their Horstmann Homestead wedding; the woman wears a buttoned gown and engagement ring, while the man is in a suit and tie.
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A rustic wooden table with two chairs is decorated with greenery, candles, and flowers, set against a wooden wall adorned with black-and-white Horstmann Homestead wedding photos.
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A man stands and speaks into a microphone at a Horstmann Homestead wedding reception as the bride and groom sit at a decorated table in a charming rustic wooden venue.
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A bride and groom embrace and smile at each other in a grassy field with rolling hills in the background during their Horstmann Homestead wedding.
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A small white cake with floral decorations sits on a wooden board, surrounded by cupcakes and lit candles on a dark wood table—the perfect centerpiece for a Horstmann Homestead wedding celebration.
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A woman in a wedding dress embraces a man in a suit on a country road at their Horstmann Homestead wedding, proudly showing her engagement ring.
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A woman in a white dress wipes her face with a tissue while sitting beside a man in a suit at a wooden table indoors during a Horstmann Homestead wedding.
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A woman in a light dress looks up at a man in a suit speaking; black-and-white photo with wedding portraits displayed on a rustic wooden wall at a Horstmann Homestead wedding.
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Five people pose and smile for a photo outdoors at a Horstmann Homestead wedding, with a grassy background and other guests visible behind them.
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A bride and groom walk hand in hand down a paved country road at their Horstmann Homestead wedding, surrounded by green fields and trees, with their backs facing the camera.
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A bride and groom share a first dance under a pavilion while guests watch and take photos at this enchanting Horstmann Homestead wedding.
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A couple in formal attire kisses on a grassy path at a Horstmann Homestead wedding, surrounded by rolling hills, trees, and farm buildings beneath a bright sky.
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A group of eleven people, including a bride and groom, stand side by side outdoors in front of green hills on a sunny day at a Horstmann Homestead wedding.
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A basket filled with assorted decorated cookies, including plaques, leaves, and geometric shapes—some adorned with names, dates, and sweet nods to a Horstmann Homestead wedding celebrating love and tradition.
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A man in a suit and patterned tie stands outdoors near benches at a Horstmann Homestead wedding, with hills and trees in the background.
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A woman in a white wedding dress holding a bouquet stands on a grassy field at Horstmann Homestead wedding, looking back, while a man in a dark suit walks away in the distance.
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A person in a suit gently holds the shoulder of someone in a buttoned satin dress, shown from the back in black and white at a Horstmann Homestead wedding.
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A bride and groom sit at a wooden table decorated with flowers, looking toward a man giving a speech at their Horstmann Homestead wedding in a rustic venue with wooden walls.
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A woman in a black one-shoulder dress sits outdoors at a Horstmann Homestead wedding, surrounded by other guests with lush greenery in the background.
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Three women in sunglasses and colorful dresses stand together outdoors at a Horstmann Homestead wedding, smiling and holding drinks, with a group of people mingling in the background.
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An elderly woman wearing sunglasses laughs while standing outdoors at a Horstmann Homestead wedding, surrounded by formally dressed guests and lush greenery in the background.
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A group of young adults sits together on wooden benches in an open trailer at a Horstmann Homestead wedding, green fields and trees in the background. Some are holding drinks and talking.
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Two men in patterned shirts stand at an outdoor table with drinks during a Horstmann Homestead wedding, one smiling at the camera while others interact in the background.
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A young man in a blue suit smiles while hugging an older woman outdoors at a Horstmann Homestead wedding, with other people and a building visible in the background.
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A man in a suit and a woman in a formal dress stand close together on a rural road at the picturesque Horstmann Homestead wedding, with trees and hills in the background.
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A bride and groom stand embracing on a quiet country road at sunset, surrounded by green fields and trees, capturing the romance of a Horstmann Homestead wedding.
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A bride in a white dress holding a bouquet walks across the green lawn at Horstmann Homestead wedding venue, heading toward a person in the distance, framed by hills and trees in the background.
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