A Lakefront Wedding at The Edgewater in Madison, WI

_{By Grant Martel — documentary-forward, film + digital wedding photographer}

If you’re dreaming of a lakefront celebration that feels elegant, effortless and guest centered, The Edgewater in Madison delivers (especially in summer). This wedding unfolded on the deck overlooking Lake Mendota, where a steady breeze kept everyone comfortable and the light skimmed across the water like a mirror. As a Madison wedding photographer my goal is simple, approach each wedding with a documentary forward mindset where I emphasize the relationships and humans that make you, you.

Getting Ready at The Edgewater

Starting the day on‑site keeps everything relaxed and guest‑focused. The rooms and suites offer generous window light and clean, neutral finishes so skin tones stay natural on film + digital. The space also lends itself to really beautiful portraits!

Portraits at The Wisconsin State Capitol

To mix things up, we darted over to the Wisconsin State Capitol just before the celebrations kicked off for a handful of portraits. The marble steps and tall columns gave us a clean, timeless backdrop that contrasted beautifully with the lake views at The Edgewater. We kept it quick, ten easy minutes of relaxed posing, a few laughs from passersby offering congratulations and then headed back to without missing a beat (or a cocktail).

• Want to see more? Check out more Madison and Chicago weddings here.

Ketubah Signing (and Chuppah Blessings)

Before guests were seated, we gathered with parents, grandparents and witnesses for a quiet ketubah signing, a moment that anchors the day in heritage and tradition. The room filled with soft laughter, signatures and blessings; it photographed beautifully on both film and digital because the energy was calm and the window light was gentle. Then it was time for the chuppah and the roar of the deck.

Tip: Keep this space clutter-free (one table, two chairs, glass of water). Ask your planner for neutral backdrops and turn off mixed-temperature lamps for clean color.

The Ceremony on The Edgewater Deck

With Lake Mendota as the backdrop, the chuppah framed the couple in clean lines and soft florals. The deck’s wide expanse meant guests had an unobstructed view (and room for shade umbrellas on the perimeter). Strings played as boats cut slow paths behind the vows, classic Madison energy without leaving downtown.

Cocktail Hour on the Lakefront Terraces

As guests spill out from the ceremony, the terraces become an easy, sun‑washed living room with lake breezes and Capitol peeks. This is where the hugs stack up, where grandparents settle into conversation, and where we can make some of the most honest candids of the day without anyone feeling “on.”

A Reception That Starts with the Hora

If you want the room to erupt, open with the hora. As soon as the band hit the first notes, circles formed, hands locked, and the dance floor pulsed. I shot wide to show the rings of family and tight to catch the grin-and-scream moments when the chairs lifted. Ten minutes later, everyone looked joyfully disheveled and fully “in”, exactly how you want your party to feel.

What I Focus On

Yes, you’ll get portraits for frames. But you’ll also get the knots in your dad’s tie as he concentrates, your best friend crying during the blessings, the moment your grandmother squeezes your hand before the hora. Those are the photographs that outlast trends and feel like memory.

At the end of the night when Lake Mendota settles into blue and the last chords from the hora still hum in everyone’s ears, what lingers are the human moments: a parent’s hand after the ketubah is signed, the wind lifting your veil on the deck, the circle of friends shouting your names. That’s the story I’m there to tell: honest, full of heart and made to be passed down.

• Ready to see if we’re a match? Contact me to check availability. You can also browse client reviews to hear real experiences.