I think every couple has that moment while touring a wedding venue like Selmer and Stone. You pull into the parking lot, look at each other, and immediately start whispering things like, “Okay… where would cocktail hour be?” or “Wait, where do people park?” Meanwhile, you’re trying to act cool because the venue owner is standing five feet away. 😂

The funny thing is, those questions actually matter.

A wedding venue isn’t just where you get married. It’s where your grandma introduces herself to all your friends, twice; your college friends reconnect over cocktails, and your favorite people celebrate one of the biggest days of your life. The way a venue flows has just as much impact on your experience as how it looks.

What makes Selmer and Stone stand out among Wisconsin wedding venues isn’t just how beautiful it is. It was created by a husband-and-wife team, and one of the things I love most is that the venue was designed with a photographer’s eye. Every space feels intentional, making the entire wedding day smoother for both couples and their guests.

If Selmer and Stone has caught your eye, here are a few things you should know. If you’re still narrowing down venues or just starting the planning process, I also put together a complete guide to planning a Wisconsin wedding in 2027, covering everything from venues and vendors to timelines and photography.

What Makes Selmer and Stone Different From Other Wisconsin Wedding Venues

There are a LOT of beautiful wedding venues in Wisconsin. Seriously, we’re spoiled. You can find gorgeous barns, elegant estates, industrial spaces with exposed brick, venues overlooking lakes…the list goes on. If you’re specifically looking for modern wedding venues in Wisconsin, I put together a separate guide that compares some of my favorite contemporary spaces across the state. Selmer and Stone absolutely deserves a spot on that list.

So when I say Selmer and Stone feels different, I don’t just mean it has pretty views (although…yeah, it definitely does). I mean it feels like somebody stopped and thought, “Okay, but what is it actually like to get married here?”

That’s probably because they did.

Designed With Your Wedding Day in Mind

Having one of the owners come from a wedding photography background makes a bigger difference than you might expect. But first, I honestly think that’s the coolest part of the story because it shows up everywhere, not in an obvious, “LOOK HOW PHOTOGENIC WE ARE!” kind of way, but in all the little things that make a wedding day run smoother.

The getting-ready spaces are filled with natural light, which means your makeup artist isn’t fighting fluorescent lighting that’s somehow both yellow and blue at the same time. (How is that even possible? 😂) Everything is laid out intentionally, so moving from one part of the celebration to the next feels effortless.

Portraits don’t require disappearing for an hour because gorgeous backdrops are already built into the property. You can step away for a few minutes, soak in the fact that YOU JUST GOT MARRIED (!!), and be back celebrating before anyone starts wondering where you went. 

As a Wisconsin wedding photographer, those are the details I notice and love. Not because they’re flashy, but because they’re the kinds of things that quietly change the entire pace of the day. The best venues don’t ask you to work around them. They work for you.

That’s exactly what Selmer and Stone does.

Designed for More Than Just Beautiful Photos

I also love how connected the venue feels to the surrounding landscape. You’re not spending the day inside a building looking out at nature through a window, you’re actually part of it. People drift outside with a drink in hand, someone inevitably pulls up a chair to keep a conversation going, and kids somehow manage to turn every open space into an adventure. It all feels easy in the best way.

Before the ceremony even begins, the celebration already feels underway. Family members who haven’t seen each other in years reconnect, friends introduce themselves over a drink, and kids immediately find somewhere to explore. Instead of everyone standing around waiting, the day eases into itself naturally.

Those are usually my favorite weddings to photograph. Not because they’re the most elaborate, but because everyone has the space to slow down, be present, and experience the day they’re celebrating.

How Selmer and Stone Makes Your Wedding Day Feel More Effortless

One thing I always pay attention to as a Wisconsin wedding photographer is how much a venue allows couples to simply exist on their wedding day. Some venues unintentionally create a lot of little stress points. Guests aren’t sure where to go next. Family members are trying to figure out where portraits are happening. The wedding party is walking back and forth across the property because everything feels disconnected.

Selmer and Stone avoid a lot of that.

The ceremony, cocktail hour, reception, and portrait locations all work together without feeling crowded. The layout gives the day a rhythm instead of making every transition feel like a new set of instructions. Meanwhile, you get little pockets of time to step away, catch your breath, and soak in the fact that you’re married.

Those little moments matter. They’re usually the moments couples remember years later. Walking back down the aisle together. Sneaking away for a few quiet portraits while everyone enjoys cocktail hour. Standing outside for five minutes at sunset before heading back inside to a packed dance floor.

Those aren’t interruptions to your wedding day. They become part of it. 

I’ve noticed that the weddings that feel the most relaxed aren’t the ones with the shortest timelines. They’re the ones where the venue makes it easy for everyone to settle in instead of constantly moving from place to place. Selmer and Stone naturally creates that kind of rhythm, which gives you more opportunities to actually enjoy the people you’ve invited.

Best Time of Year to Get Married at Selmer and Stone

One of my favorite things about Selmer and Stone is that it doesn’t feel like a venue that’s trying to fit into one aesthetic.

Some venues absolutely scream fall wedding. Others practically beg for summer. Selmer and Stone somehow manages to feel right at home no matter what Wisconsin decides to throw at us. (Besides maybe sideways February snow… let’s all collectively agree your wedding deserves better than that.)

Spring

Spring weddings here feel fresh without trying too hard. The property starts waking up after winter, everything turns green again, and temperatures are comfortable enough that guests want to wander outside during cocktail hour instead of immediately looking for the nearest air conditioning vent.

Just keep in mind that Wisconsin spring weather has a personality of its own. It might be 72 degrees. It might also decide rain sounds fun. The nice thing is that Selmer and Stone was designed with flexibility in mind, so your day doesn’t completely unravel if Mother Nature wakes up feeling a little dramatic.

Summer

Summer is when Wisconsin really shows off. Long evenings, warm sunsets, and guests lingering outside after dinner? I’m HERE for it.

This is also when the venue really shines because people naturally spread out across the property. Someone’s grabbing another drink, grandparents are chatting outside, kids are finding sticks that immediately become swords (why is it always sticks? 😂), and your college roommates are probably convincing each other they absolutely need one more trip to the bar.

Instead of everyone feeling packed into one room all night, the celebration feels like it has room to breathe.

Fall

Fall might be Selmer and Stone’s biggest flex. Wisconsin somehow manages to make everybody forget winter is coming for about six weeks. The trees change, the air cools off, everyone suddenly owns a sweater they swear they’ve “always had,” and weddings feel incredibly cozy without needing much extra decor.

If you’ve been dreaming about warm colors, candlelight, and guests gathering around outdoor spaces with a drink in hand, fall is hard to beat.

Just know you’re not the only one with that idea. Peak fall weekends tend to book quickly throughout Wisconsin, so don’t wait until next September to start looking at October dates. Future You will appreciate Past You for that decision.

Portrait Locations Around Selmer and Stone

This is where couples ask me, “Okay… but where are we taking photos?” The short answer? Pretty much everywhere. What makes Selmer and Stone work so well for portraits is that we don’t have to spend forty-five minutes driving somewhere else just to find a nice backdrop.

We can walk, which means less time driving between locations and more time creating beautiful photos before heading back to celebrate with your guests. It’s a simple change, but it makes the entire day feel more relaxed.

I always know a venue is working well when portraits feel like a natural part of the day instead of something couples have to squeeze in. At Selmer and Stone, we can step away for a few quiet minutes, create a beautiful gallery together, and be back celebrating before cocktail hour is in full swing. It never feels like you’re choosing between great photos and spending time with your favorite people, you really get both.

That’s exactly how portraits should feel.

Why This Venue Works So Well for Wedding Weekends

One trend I’m absolutely loving is couples slowing things down. Instead of treating their wedding like a six-hour sprint, they’re creating an entire weekend where everyone gets to spend time together.

Selmer and Stone is a wonderful Wisconsin wedding venue for couples who want their celebration to feel like more than a single day. Whether you’re planning a welcome party, a relaxed rehearsal dinner, or simply hoping guests spend more time together, the property naturally encourages everyone to slow down and enjoy being there.

If you’re still deciding whether a wedding weekend is the right fit, I also put together a guide full of weekend wedding ideas, including simple ways to create more time with your favorite people without making the weekend feel overplanned.

From the moment guests arrive, the property encourages everyone to slow down instead of watching the clock or wondering what’s next. Cocktail hour naturally spills outside. Nobody feels rushed out the door the second the last dance ends. Since you’re not spending half the day driving between locations, you have more energy left to enjoy the celebration.

I always tell couples this: Nobody looks back on their wedding and says, “I really wish we’d squeezed in one more location for portraits.” They remember who they talked to. Who made them laugh, who cried during the ceremony, and who absolutely demolished the late-night snacks.

Those are the conversations people bring up years later when they’re flipping through your wedding gallery. The venue simply creates the space for those memories to unfold.

Is Selmer and Stone the Right Wedding Venue for You?

Every couple is looking for something a little different, which is exactly why there isn’t one “perfect” wedding venue in Wisconsin. If your dream wedding is all about creating a relaxed experience where people can spend time together, Selmer and Stone checks a lot of boxes.

It’s a great fit if you picture your guests lingering during cocktail hour instead of immediately lining up for dinner. If you love the idea of sneaking away for ten minutes of portraits without disappearing for an hour. If you want your wedding day to unfold naturally instead of feeling like you’re racing from one event to the next.

I also think it’s a wonderful venue for couples who care just as much about their guests’ experience as their own. When everything is thoughtfully laid out, people spend less time asking where they’re supposed to be and more time catching up with family they haven’t seen in years, meeting your college roommates for the first time, or grabbing another drink while the sunset starts to settle in.

Those little moments may not make it onto your planning checklist, but they’re often the moments everyone remembers. If you’re hoping for a wedding that feels welcoming, intentional, and full of genuine connection, Selmer and Stone makes that surprisingly easy.

Things to Know Before Booking Selmer and Stone

Every wedding venue has its own personality, and Selmer and Stone is no different.

Before you book, I’d encourage you to think beyond the ceremony space and reception room. Consider how the property will support your timeline, where your guests will naturally gather throughout the day, and whether the layout makes it easy to move from one part of the celebration to the next.

Those details might not be the first things you notice during a tour, but they’re often what shape the experience long after your wedding is over.

Tips for Touring Selmer and Stone

I know it’s easy to walk into a wedding venue and immediately start picturing your ceremony backdrop or where your sweetheart table would go. (Trust me, we’ve all mentally planned an entire wedding in about fifteen minutes. 😂)

But while you’re touring Selmer and Stone, I’d encourage you to look beyond the pretty spaces. Instead, imagine what the entire day will feel like. Where will your guests gather before the ceremony?

How far is it from the getting-ready spaces to where you’ll say your vows? Where will everyone naturally spend time during cocktail hour? Could you sneak away for ten minutes of portraits and still make it back before dinner is served?

Those are the questions that end up shaping your experience far more than whether a wall is painted white or black.

The beautiful thing about Selmer and Stone is that so many of those answers have already been considered. The property was designed to help the day unfold naturally, which means you’re spending less time solving logistics and more time simply enjoying your wedding.

Planning Your Selmer and Stone Wedding

Once you’ve fallen in love with a venue, it’s easy to move on to the fun stuff, flowers, menus, and deciding whether you really need the late-night snack (you do, by the way).

But don’t forget to think through your guests’ experience, too.

If you’ll have friends and family traveling from Milwaukee, Madison, or out of state, start looking into nearby accommodations early. Having a few hotel recommendations ready to send with your invitations makes travel much easier, especially for guests who haven’t visited the area before.

I’d also think about transportation. If many of your guests are planning to celebrate on the dance floor, arranging a shuttle between the hotel and the venue lets everyone relax and enjoy the evening without worrying about the drive home.

They’re small details, but they’re often the things guests remember long after the wedding is over.

Planning a Wedding at Selmer and Stone

Your venue sets the stage, but your timeline determines how the day feels. If you’re not sure where to start, I put together a wedding day timeline template for Wisconsin couples that walks through how to build a schedule with plenty of breathing room.

Even the most beautiful Wisconsin wedding venue can feel rushed if every minute is scheduled back-to-back. On the flip side, a thoughtful timeline gives you space to slow down, breathe, and notice what’s happening around you.

Maybe that’s lingering a little longer after your ceremony because everyone wants to give you a hug and nobody’s immediately pulling you away for the next thing. Maybe it’s sitting down to eat the dinner you spent months choosing instead of taking two bites before someone needs you for the next event. Or maybe it’s finding five quiet minutes together at sunset and realizing…“We’re married.”

Those are the moments couples tell me they didn’t realize they’d treasure until long after the wedding was over.

Why I Love Photographing Weddings at Selmer and Stone

Every photographer has venues they get excited about, and for me, it’s rarely because of one dramatic photo location. It’s because of what the venue allows couples to experience. At Selmer and Stone, the pace of the day feels different.

I can tell within the first hour what kind of day it’s going to be. At venues where everything flows well, people settle in faster. They’re laughing instead of checking the timeline, grabbing another drink instead of wondering where they’re supposed to be, and actually soaking in the experience. That’s something I notice every time I’m at Selmer and Stone.

People aren’t constantly loading into cars to get to the next location. Guests naturally settle into conversations. Portraits fit into the day instead of taking it over. By the time the dance floor opens, it feels like everyone has spent the day together instead of simply attending the same event.

As a Wisconsin wedding photographer, that’s what I’m always hoping for. Of course I want you to have beautiful images. But I also want those photos to remind you how your wedding felt. The way your spouse looked at you during your first look. Your grandparents laughing together during cocktail hour. Your friends absolutely committing to every song once the dance floor opened. Those moments don’t happen because a venue is beautiful.

They happen because you’ve created the kind of day where people feel comfortable slowing down and enjoying it. I think Selmer and Stone does a really wonderful job of making that possible.

Frequently Asked Questions About Selmer and Stone

Where is Selmer and Stone located?

Selmer and Stone is located in Wisconsin, making it a convenient wedding venue for couples with guests traveling from Madison, Milwaukee, and throughout southern Wisconsin. Its peaceful setting gives you the feeling of escaping to the countryside while still being easy for friends and family to find.

How many guests can Selmer and Stone accommodate?

Guest counts and layouts can vary depending on your wedding plans, so I’d always recommend reaching out to the venue directly for their most current capacity information. During your tour, ask how different guest counts change the feel of cocktail hour, dinner, and dancing. A room can technically fit a certain number of people, but it’s just as important that everyone has space to relax and enjoy themselves.

Does Selmer and Stone have indoor and outdoor ceremony options?

Yes! Having both indoor and outdoor options gives couples flexibility if Wisconsin weather decides to keep everyone guessing.

As much as we’d all love a perfect forecast six months in advance… this is still Wisconsin. Having a solid backup plan means you can spend the week before your wedding getting excited instead of obsessively refreshing your weather app every fifteen minutes.

Is Selmer and Stone a good venue for a wedding weekend?

Absolutely. While many couples celebrate with a single wedding day, Selmer and Stone also works beautifully for couples planning an entire wedding weekend. Whether that includes a welcome party, rehearsal dinner, or brunch the next morning, the venue creates the kind of atmosphere where guests naturally spend time together instead of feeling rushed from one event to the next.

When should we book Selmer and Stone?

If you’re hoping for a popular spring, summer, or especially fall weekend, I’d recommend reaching out as early as you can.

The best part about touring early isn’t just having more dates available; it’s giving yourself time to plan the rest of your wedding without feeling rushed. Once your venue is booked, so many of the other decisions start falling into place.

Book Annika As Your Wisconsin Wedding Photographer

If you’re planning a wedding at Selmer and Stone and want the day to feel relaxed, connected, and genuinely enjoyable while you’re living it, I’d love to photograph it for you.

As a Wisconsin wedding photographer, I care about so much more than beautiful portraits. I care about how your wedding day actually feels, the way your guests settle into conversations, the quiet few minutes you steal together after the ceremony, the hugs that last a little longer than expected, and the dance floor moments nobody could have planned if they tried.

Selmer and Stone is the kind of venue that gives those moments room to happen. My job is to help you stay present enough to experience them while documenting the day in a way that brings you right back to how it felt years from now.

If that sounds like the kind of wedding day you’re dreaming about, I’d love to hear what you have planned.

Keep scrolling for more love stories and inspiration! 

The Best Wisconsin Wedding Venues You Need to Know by Region

The Best Modern Wedding Venues in Wisconsin (For Couples Who Want More Than a Barn)

The No-Fluff Wedding Photography Checklist for Wisconsin Weddings That Actually Feel Like You