Meet Your Team
Our team of dedicated and talented professionals share a vision of creating a unique experience for each and every couple. Uncompromisable standards and an atmosphere filled with creative momentum is our recipe for outstanding customer service and exceptional events.
Kate Crowle
OWNER & EXECUTIVE DESIGNER
Welcome! My name is Kate, and I am the Owner and Designer of St. James 1868. I am honored to share this beautifully renovated historic property and to help create wedding days that feel timeless, personal, and truly unforgettable.
St. James 1868 has been thoughtfully brought to life through my vision and hands-on involvement, with every detail reflecting a deep passion for restoring historic buildings and transforming them into meaningful, elegant spaces. Reimagining this property has been a dream come true—one rooted in honoring its past while creating a setting designed for celebration.
My design approach is always inspired by the bride’s perspective, curating intentional moments throughout the property that feel thoughtful, layered, and effortlessly beautiful on camera. Years of traveling throughout Europe have greatly influenced the aesthetic of St. James 1868, from architectural details to refined textures woven throughout each space.
Alongside my talented team, I look forward to welcoming you, sharing our vision, and touring you through our little piece of Europe in the heart of Milwaukee.
Kelsey Hock
-
Drawn to the fast paced and detail oriented aspects of the events industry, Kelsey enjoys bringing all of the elements of your day together to make a truly unforgettable celebration. Whether it’s planning discussions, venue management, event execution, décor arrangement or providing a listening ear, she is here for every aspect of your day to ensure a smooth and enjoyable event for you and your guests.
With experience in catering, bridal styling and day of coordination, Kelsey enjoys many aspects of what the events industry has to offer. In her free time, she enjoys spending time at home with her fur babies (Axle, Lily and Griffin), ballroom dancing lessons and embracing her inner foodie with her husband Jason.
Jessica Rydlewicz
-
Step into a world where cocktails are crafted with love and weddings sparkle with magic, all under the expert guidance of Jessica. With an eye for detail and a heart for celebrations, Jessica weaves together the perfect blend of whimsy and sophistication to make your special day shine.
When Jessica is not working, you can find her exploring new places and gathering fresh drink ideas. Her passion for mixing drinks is matched with her love for serving happiness with each sip!
Danielle Gehrt
-
Hello! My name is Danielle, I coordinate all things weddings here at St. James 1868. With a heart that loves beautiful gatherings surrounded by the people we love, my priority is orchestrating all the small details of your day, so you don’t have to! Allowing you to slow down, be fully present, & enjoy making memories that you will cherish forever. Whether it’s being your personal cheerleader, communicating with vendors, or grabbing your dancing shoes, I am dedicated to making the vision of your wedding day come to life smoothly & beautifully. I look forward to creating a fun & stress free wedding day together!
When I am not at St. James, you can find me hosting dinner parties for my favorite people, kicking back at a coffee shop, or hiking & exploring new places with my husband. My true passion is creating love & fun times through hospitality.
Tom Sadowski
-
Hello, I'm Tom and I'm all things Event Operations at St. James 1868! I have worked over 40 years collectively in the Visual Merchandising Department for Marshall Field's, Boston Store, and Macy's. I first met Kate while we were both working at Marshall Field’s and I am so honored she brought me on as a St. James 1868 team member!
When I'm not at St. James 1868 I enjoy working in my garden/yard, exploring our great trails in our parks and along the lakefront, checking out antique shops, and of course checking out all the great microbrews the city has to offer!
Julie Hornak
-
Hello! My name is Julie and I am an Event manager at St. James 1868. My mission here is to ensure your event is everything you've ever dreamed of and more. Leave the details up to me so you can focus on making lasting memories with family and friends. My past years of experience coordinating and working with special events allows me to handle all situations that may arise. I truly enjoy assisting with all the small details that go into making your special day absolutely perfect. Lastly, the motto I believe in is “an event lasts a day, memories last forever.”
When I’m not at St.James 1868 I love spending time with family and friends. Staying active and traveling are some of my many passions. I enjoy walking my dog Magoo and exploring the wonderful state trails in Wisconsin.
Kathryn Kutz
-
My name is Kathryn and I am an Event Manager at St. James 1868. I am dedicated to making you and your guests comfortable while making sure your special day runs smoothly. Ensuring your event is as memorable as possible is my main priority. I know you will find that the St. James's team is prepared to provide service that exceeds your expectations. Our team does great work because we love what we do.
Outside of St. James I enjoy spending time outdoors and gardening. I'm grateful for any free time that I can spend with family and friends.
Kate Zeller
-
Hello! My name is Kate, and I am the Brand Marketing Specialist at the beautiful St. James 1868. I am currently a student at Marquette University, studying International Business and Marketing. At St. James 1868, my role is to capture the uniqueness of each wedding and highlight the timeless beauty of our historic venue across our marketing platforms. I love telling each couple’s love story through thoughtful, creative content and sharing the magic of St. James 1868 with others. I am incredibly grateful to work alongside such a talented team and to be part of the meaningful work we do together.
Outside of St. James 1868, I enjoy traveling, reading, and spending quality time with friends and family.
Eliana Hanson
-
With a background in wedding planning, Eliana finds joy in every aspect of the event industry - whether its timeline logistics, designing tablescapes, or getting to know couples and their loved ones. Her goal is to resolve any challenges that may arise before you even know they exist. She finds fulfillment in the intricate details that bring a grand vision to life.
When not overseeing events or working behind-the-scenes, Eliana is a full-time business and pre-law student at Marquette. She enjoys baking everything from warm chocolate chip cookies to delicate macarons, playing the piano, and discovering new favorite local coffee shops with friends
James Mosciano
Our Event Team in Action
Here is a BEHIND THE SCENES glimpse of our team focused on making your event a day to remember. A common question from our Royal Couples is . . . What does the St. James 1868 Team help us with on our wedding day? and our reply . . . What a great question! For every event our team personally greets each of your guests at the entrance to St. James 1868 with a warm welcome and available to answer any parking and handicap entrance questions upon arrival. During our cocktail hour our team jumps into action to get the floor plan set with precision. Making sure each table is set with symmetrical balance, the correct number of chairs, each chair kissing each table so that your linens hang perfectly straight to the floor. Any luxury rental items such as our black and white checkered dance floor, luxury lounge sets, pillar lighting package are set once the tables are in place for the florists, planners and catering teams to layer on all your design details. Once the room is set we partner with the DJ/ Band to create the perfect ambience by dimming the lights to create depth, elegance and warmth to the room as your guests enter to experience the magical transformation. We look forward to being a part of your Royal Wedding Day!
