Maximalist magic: Joel & Justin’s art-filled, food-obsessed Madison wedding

If you’ve ever dreamed of a wedding that feels like stepping into a gallery, a supper club, and a cozy living room all at once… Joel and Justin just set the bar sky-high. This was not a “here’s your chicken or fish” kind of affair. This was an everything all at once maximalist fever dream that celebrated their love, their art, their food, their people, and yes, even their dogs.

A living room in the lobby

Before guests even stepped into the ceremony space at Madison’s Goodman Community Center Brass Works Building, they were greeted by an art installation that was Joel and Justin’s living room. We’re talking an antique TV, record player spinning vinyl, well-loved books, a gallery wall of portraits, travel trinkets, and in-progress artwork Joel was painting of the two of them. It wasn’t just decor… it was autobiography in 3D.

Edible love letters

Justin took on the Herculean task of making all the hors d'oeuvres himself, each bite-sized creation pulling from a different corner of the culinary map.

Joel handled desserts, from meticulously plated sweets to donut perfection courtesy of Greenbush Bakery. And because feeding people is basically a love language for these two, they handmade edible wedding favors: jars of honey, sourdough starter, cotton candy, ramen kits, dog treats, flavored salts… a DIY buffet of joy that guests could bag up and take home like the best grown-up trick-or-treat haul.

Global maximalism at every table

Every table centerpiece was its own world tour. One might have a vintage globe, Moroccan tea glasses, and brass candlesticks. Another was stacked with books, art, and sculptural busts. The photos are almost dizzying in the best way, with layer upon layer of objects, colors, and textures. Maximalists take note: this is proof that “more is more” can still be cohesive if every element tells a story.

Four-legged family members

Gus and Bobo weren’t just there for pre-ceremony snuggles… they walked down the aisle with Joel and Justin, trotting in bowties, tails wagging. They stayed front and center during vows, occasionally inserting themselves in ways only dogs can: sniffing a pocket, demanding a pet mid-sentence, basically stealing the show.

In one of the most moving parts of the day, Joel and Justin flipped the traditional tea ceremony on its head. They served tea first to their wedding party and Joel’s mom, then (later in the reception) to everyone. Instead of toasts that only involve champagne, their first toast was literally tea in mismatched ceramic cups, poured and handed out with care.

Because apparently planning a wedding, cooking for a hundred people, and designing a full art exhibit wasn’t enough… they also folded over 1,000 paper cranes. These weren’t just tucked in a corner—they were integrated into the place card display and strung up as a photo backdrop, catching the light like origami prayers.

Style that pops

The grooms went bold with their suits: pink plaid for Joel, deep red for Justin, each tailored within an inch of perfection by NL Suits. Paired with bowties, boutonnieres, and hats, the look was dapper meets maximalist. Seeing them together (matching but not identical) was like a visual thesis for the whole day: harmonious individuality.

Upstairs Downstairs Catering handled the main courses (because even culinary overachievers need a break), but Justin and Joel’s DIY touches meant food was woven into every corner of the day. Guests could sip craft cocktails, taste espresso martinis, or grab a bite between dances. And oh, the dancing—these two didn’t just sway, they performed, spinning and dipping under the warm light of the industrial loft space.

It would be easy to say this wedding was “over the top” but that implies excess for its own sake. Every choice was intentional, every element infused with meaning, every moment stitched with care. Joel and Justin’s guiding principle was clear: nothing “normal” for normal’s sake. Everything had to feel like them.

In Joel’s words: “We were striving to have a wedding that was out of the box and different than any wedding that anyone had ever been to before. We’ve always said we are anything but normal and we wanted our wedding to reflect that. By utilizing our individual skills, we added touches of ourselves throughout the day.”

---

VENDORS

• Photography: Dutcher Photography @robandsamphoto
• Venue: Goodman Community Center Brass Works Building / @goodmancenterwi
• Jewelry: Wedding Ring Store / @handmade_wedding_rings
• Suits: NL Suits / @nl_suits
• DJ: Midwest Sound / @midwestsounddj
• Florals: DIY by Joel
• Desserts: DIY by Joel, donuts from Greenbush Bakery
• Appetizers: DIY by Justin
• Catering: Upstairs Downstairs Catering / @updowncatering
• Dog handler: Kibbles & Kisses / @kibblesandkisses
• Decor rentals: Velvet Rentals / @velvet_rentals