downtown madison

Abbe + Kevin | Madison, Wisconsin | Elegant Glam Burgundy + Gold Wedding at The Tinsmith

January 19, 2022 By Sarah Davidson

With wedding colors of burgundy and gold, I knew I was going to like Abbe + Kevin from the start. Add on the fact that Abbe had spent a decade herself as a wedding photographer, with an additional degree in Event Management, and we immediately clicked from day one of working together!

Everything about Abbe + Kevin’s wedding at The Tinsmith had personal touches, from Abbe’s grandmother’s charm pinned to her bouquet, to the elegant DIY-ed signage, all the way to playing Star Wars music for the Grand March! Yep, they’re that cool.

Our HUE crew especially loved listening to the toasts from those near and dear to the couple, easily feeling the amount of support radiating for them within the room. It was something truly special.

Congrats Abbe + Kevin! Thanks for choosing us to help you celebrate your beautiful big day! Enjoy all the gorgeous detail from their special celebration below!

Every element of their day, down to the smallest detail of Abbe’s accessories, embodied glam and elegance!

If you’re looking for a Downtown Madison wedding venue with modern, industrial, and greenhouse vibes, look no further than The Tinsmith! The rich emerald details and plants throughout the venue complimented the burgundy jewel tones and greenery in Abbe + Kevin’s day perfectly.

The special community, love, and support that surrounds this couple were radiant throughout the course of their wedding day!

Elegant gold details give the perfect touch to this clean reception look sprinkled with luscious greenery. We’re obsessed with this DIY seating chart sign they created as well, aren’t you?

This stunning 3-tiered cake from Craig’s Cake Shop was almost too pretty to eat. We said almost, though! 😉

Congratulations again, Abbe + Kevin!

To see more real weddings and events designed, coordinated, and produced by our HUE team, click HERE!

The Dream Team
Coordination: HUE by Sarah Davidson
Photography: Tara Draper Photography
Videography: Old North Film Company
Venue: The Tinsmith
Floral: Daffodil Parker
Rentals: Event Essentials
Catering: Buck + Honey’s
Cake: Craig’s Cake Shop
DJ + Photo Booth: Midwest Sound
Transportation: Presidential Limousine
Hair: Mane Hair Company
Makeup: The Posh Beauty Bar
Bridal + Bridesmaid Attire: Vera’s House of Bridals
Bridal Gown: Stephen Yearick
Bridesmaids Gowns: Morilee
Menswear: Nedrebos

Chief Strategist and Creative Director of HUE by Sarah Davidson, Sarah is a sought-after event industry consultant, planner, and strategist based in Madison, WI. Follow her work on Instagram at @huebysd.

Whitney + David | Madison, Wisconsin | Glam Downtown Wedding at The Sylvee

November 7, 2021 By Sarah Davidson

After postponing their wedding date TWICE, the third time was a charm for Whitney and David, who hosted their celebration at The Sylvee that focused on their values and vibe as a couple throughout. The wedding of this awesome California-based couple included many personal touches from their community, with the evening’s MC and reception band being childhood friends of Whitney’s!⁠⁠

⁠One of Madison’s newest and most unique wedding venues, The Sylvee did not require much dressing up, but our HUE crew had fun with what we did, including a few glam pieces from Event Essentials and A La Crate Rentals, all captured masterfully by Tim Fitch Photography, of course!⁠

⁠⁠We LOVED our planning journey with this couple, who had the perfect balance of both keeping it fun and keeping it real. Congrats Whitney + David!⁠

⁠⁠P.S. we also loved that Whitney told her sister Meagan that she HAD to hire the HUE team for her big day as well and we got to celebrate with them this past year too!

See more from Whitney + David’s downtown Madison wedding day below!

We were in love with the ambiance of The Sylvee and their industrial vibe that was such an easy blank canvas to transform Whitney + David’s wedding day into the unique and beautiful one that it was.

We had all hands on deck flipping this gorgeous ceremony space into a dinner scene during their happy hour and then flipping it again into a dance floor for this fun-loving couple to dance the night away with their loved ones!

One of our favorite parts of their day was coordinating the logistics to play a pre-recorded toast from David’s mom who was battling cancer in Tennessee and couldn’t attend their special day. The raw emotion was felt throughout the entire venue.

Congratulations, Whitney + David!

To see more real weddings and events designed, coordinated, and produced by our HUE team, click HERE!

The Dream Team
Design, Planning + Coordination: HUE by Sarah Davidson⁠⁠
Photography: Tim Fitch Photography⁠⁠
Videography: Hello Darling Films⁠⁠
Venue: The Sylvee⁠⁠
Catering: Adamah Neighborhood Table⁠⁠
Charcuterie: Fromagination⁠⁠
Donuts: Greenbush Bakery⁠⁠
Rentals: Event Essentials⁠⁠, A La Crate Rentals
AV: Celebrations Entertainment⁠⁠
Live Entertainment: WheelHouse⁠⁠
DJ: Juke Box Bandstand
Beauty: Brideheads

Top Downtown Madison Wisconsin Wedding Venues + Hotels

October 6, 2021 By Sarah Davidson

A few years ago, when Kevin and I were looking to move and upgrade our Madison-area home, I really only had one non-negotiable: it had to be close to downtown!⁠⁠

If you’ve been hanging around here at HUE for any length of time, you’ve probably been able to tell that even with my UW student days behind me, the Capitol and Isthmus continue to call my name on a regular basis.⁠ ⁠

⁠Now, as a local business owner and a mom of 2, my eyes have been further opened to what’s available around that can bring joy and culture into my family’s lives. I want to be in the action. I want to stay current. There’s no better place to do that than downtown! A few weeks ago, I even teamed up with Destination Madison over on their blog, giving you all of my ideas, locations, and tips for taking FULL advantage of your next downtown Madison adventure!

From a wedding planner perspective in the event industry, downtown Madison offers a wide and exciting variety of venues and hotels to couples looking for that city, Madison-centric experience to celebrate their wedding day in. Today, I’m dropping my TOP recommendations down below! First up? Venues!

VENUES

The Orpheum Theater

If you’re looking for an edgy and historic location perfect for a party, The Orpheum Theater is the place to be! Located in the heart of downtown, this iconic theater has been a centerpiece of the Madison community since 1927! The art deco exterior and extravagant French Renaissance interior make for a space that is both classic and cutting edge.

The Tinsmith

This 1925 Madison-original Trachte brothers building was transformed into a stunningly unique venue that offers 9,000 sq ft of event space and a 4-season solarium! The Tinsmith features many luxury design-focused details throughout and is a part of the East Washington district expansion.

Madison Children’s Museum

The Madison Children’s Museum holds a special place in my heart as I started my wedding career here as a venue coordinator. Their offbeat and playful event space provides unique and out-of-the-ordinary fun for whimsical weddings!

Overture Center for the Arts

If you’re looking for an elegant, refined, and versatile wedding venue, you’ve met your match!With a variety of event space options along with lighting and sound capabilities worthy of a Broadway show, the Overture center adds a flair to every wedding there!

Monona Terrace

The Monona Terrace, on the beautiful Lake Monona, is where nature and architecture come together to provide you with an easy event space for your classic wedding day!

HOTELS

The Madison Concourse Hotel & Governor’s Club

Right in the heart of downtown, The Madison Concourse Hotel & Governor’s club is an easy location with incredible views and full-service amenities for your wedding day. With over 370 guest rooms, 27,000 square feet of event space, private dining options, and an in-house culinary team, you and your guests are set from arrival to departure for your celebration!

AC Hotel Madison Downtown

Just steps from Capitol Square in the center of downtown, the AC Hotel provides both stunning views and a convenient location for your big day. Their modern event space is perfect for intimate celebrations where guests can then check out their cool bar and enjoy creative catering from their in-house restaurant!

Graduate Madison

With Wisconsin local touches, vintage elements, and a summer camp-inspired rooftop bar, you’re going to love the fun and unique atmosphere at Graduate Madison for your wedding celebration. Did we mention they’re pet-friendly? BONUS!

Hotel Indigo

Part of East Washington’s expansion district, Hotel Indigo is truly one-of-a-kind. With local touches and artistic flair, their flexible event spaces bring the color and character of the downtown Madison area both indoor and outdoor for versatility that inspires creativity! Their location provides a relaxed and comfortable feel to your wedding day.

Need help finding the perfect venue for your big day? Our team of wedding planning experts here at HUE can’t wait to help you plan the wedding of your dreams! Contact us today!