As with many modern couples, Jana and Jackson first connected online through Bumble in 2020. At the time, Jana was at school in Eau Claire and Jackson was attending school in Winona. Their long-awaited first in-person date happened months after the app match, with many FaceTimes, calls, and texts spent in the time between. From then on, the couple made routine commutes back and forth to each other every week, hoping to close the distance while they completed their schooling.
A year later, Jackson asked Jana to marry him while they vacationed in Maui. He popped the question on the beach at sunset after a fun day of golfing, an activity often enjoyed by the couple.
Jana and Jackson spent only around eight months planning their wedding, crediting Summer from Orange Door Weddings for helping guide them through every step of the process with expertise and efficiency. Jana wrote, "She was the liaison between each vendor and recommended each vendor to us. We fully trusted her experience and her recommendations. She attended all vendor meetings with us and made sure the vision for our day was cohesive and understood by all parties."
The couple's perfect day in La Crosse was classic, clean, and full of understated elegance. Orange Door Weddings helped set the tone with a neutral color palette of cream, beige, blush, sage, and navy that carried through the stationery to the decor, fashions, and lush white florals by Cottage Garden Floral.
Jana wore an ethereal tulle gown from Charlotte's Bridal, complete with a structured, embroidered, floral illusion bodice, flowing tulle bow straps, and a subtly textured skirt. Jackson wore a sharp navy suit, white undershirt, vest, and patterned tie.
The Cappella Performing Arts Center was the perfect location for the couple's ceremony, which felt both traditional and extravagant thanks to vaulted ceilings, pipe organ backdrop, candlelight, and restored church architecture—not to mention the stained glass windows! The Crescendo String Quartet provided processional and recessional music for an added touch of sophistication.
After the ceremony, the wedding party took a limousine to their reception venue, the La Crosse Center, where there were plenty of photo opportunities before dinner and dancing.
Inside, the table and decor were absolutely stunning. Golden arches with hanging crystal chandeliers above the head table brought warmth and opulence to the space. Candles, glassware, floral arrangements, neutral tablecloths, and vining greenery added to the romantic atmosphere. While guests ate a delicious dinner catered by Mary Cody's Restaurant and Maggie's Lounge, many speeches and precious moments were shared in this cozy, upscale space.
Meringue Bakery & Cafe and Linda's Bakery carried the subtle, upscale vibes through a two-tier cake with blush texturing and a variety of other treats—including custom date cookies, cake pops, donuts, and petit fours—respectively.
Karlee Mikkelson captured Jana & Jackson's wedding day from beginning to end, the couple crediting her with making them feel comfortable for both posed and candid moments. Her documentary-style photography shined through authentic moments of joy, laughter, and, at times, happy tears.
Before dancing the rest of the night away, the couple took a few moments away for sunset photographs against the backdrop of La Crosse's famous Cass Street Bridge and Mississippi River.
Jana wore her hair in a ponytail for a simple second look during dancing, DJ'd by Ever After Entertainment. During this time, guests could take photos in front of a custom neon sign with the couple's last name, a trend we can't get enough of! The Charmant Hotel was a beautiful, historic accommodation for the couple and their guests when the night ended.
Reflecting on the day, Jana and Jackson had this advice for couples in the planning process: "Invest in a good coordinator or event planner. Even if you have experience in planning or feel you can do it all doesn't mean you should have to! It helps so much on the day of to give that stress to someone else and be able to fully enjoy and be present in your day."
Find more La Crosse, Wisconsin, area wedding inspiration on our blog and on social @wedplanlacrosse!
