For most, the 4th of July is a day off work to enjoy a barbeque and fireworks with family and friends. For our family, it has become a three-day celebration event. It all started six years ago when we got married on July 2nd so each year we begin the celebration with our anniversary. Originally being from Appleton, we used to travel up to celebrate with my family since they do their fireworks on July 3rd. And then we would come back to Milwaukee to enjoy some time with the Weber side and finish off with one last set of fireworks.

Group gathered on lawn in front of grand white colonial building with American flag decorations.

Wedding Day

Stately white mansion with American flag bunting and row of white Adirondack chairs on the lawn.

1st Anniversary

White colonial style building decorated with patriotic bunting and Adirondack chairs on a sunny summer day.

2nd Anniversary

Classic white mansion with patriotic bunting and white Adirondack chairs arranged on green lawn.

3rd Anniversary

Historic building decorated with patriotic bunting and surrounded by white Adirondack chairs.

4th Anniversary

Majestic white colonial mansion with classical columns and white chairs on expansive lawn.

5th Anniversary

6th Anniversary



Along with the celebration traditions, we also started a second tradition of taking our photo at our reception venue each year. It started kind of by accident when we decided to spend our first anniversary at the bed and breakfast we stayed at for our wedding. I needed photos to create promotional materials for my upcoming masters recital and figured while we were in Oshkosh we might as well stop at The Waters since it is so picturesque there. Since we ended up recreating a few photos from our wedding we began stopping by each year to take photos which subsequently has become a tradition to track the growth of our family.

Family group seated in white Adirondack chairs in front of stately colonial building.

If there’s one thing I learned from all of this, it’s how quickly time passes and these traditions are timeless. Are you ready to start your own photo tradition?! I hope to capture it for you from the other side of the lens!

A romantic wedding couple embraces on a lawn with flags waving in the background during sunset by the ocean.
Two people embracing on lawn with marina, sailboats and row of flags visible behind them.
Couple standing on waterfront lawn with sailboats and flag poles in background.
Couple standing together on grassy area with marina and multiple flags in background.
Couple embracing on grass near marina with sailboats and American flags flying.
Two people embracing on waterfront lawn with moored sailboats and flag poles in background.
Family standing together on waterfront lawn with sailboats and American flags in background.