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 & CREATIVE VISIONARY
Welcome! My name is Kate, and I am the Owner & Founder of St. James 1868. What began as a vision to thoughtfully restore a 150-year-old historic property has grown into one of Milwaukee’s most distinctive luxury wedding destinations.
At St. James 1868, our all-female leadership team is passionate about creating celebrations that feel deeply personal, beautifully designed, and truly unforgettable. Every detail throughout the property has been considered through the lens of our couples and their guests from the natural flow of the spaces to the architectural details and countless photography moments woven throughout the venue.
Much of my design inspiration comes from my travels throughout Europe and my love of historic preservation. I’m constantly inspired by the character of old buildings, European gardens, timeless interiors, and the way thoughtful design can completely transform how a space feels. That influence can be seen throughout St. James, from the grandeur of The Abbey to the intimate, garden-inspired atmosphere of The Hyde.
Located just 90 minutes from Chicago, we’re honored to welcome couples from across the country who are choosing Milwaukee for a destination-style wedding weekend.
My talented team and I cannot wait to welcome you to St. James 1868 and help bring your vision to life.
Kelsey Hock
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Drawn to the fast-paced, detail-oriented nature of the events industry, I love bringing all the elements of your day together to create a truly unforgettable celebration. Whether it’s planning discussions, venue management, event execution, décor arrangement, or simply providing a listening ear, I’m here for every aspect of your day to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for you and your guests.
With experience in catering, bridal styling, and day-of coordination, I’ve had the opportunity to experience many different sides of the events industry. In my free time, I love spending time at home with my fur babies—Axle, Lily, and Griffin, taking ballroom dancing lessons, and embracing my inner foodie.
Christine Fanning
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With a career rooted in retail, hospitality, and creating meaningful customer experiences, I’ve always believed that the way you make people feel is just as important as what you provide.
Throughout my career, I had the incredible opportunity to travel across the country as an RH trainer, welcoming and training new store teams and helping create a consistent, elevated experience for every customer. Those experiences taught me the importance of connection, leadership, and paying attention to the little details that make a big difference.
Today, as the Venue Experience Director at St. James 1868, I’m incredibly grateful to bring everything I’ve learned into a role that feels especially meaningful. The opportunity to work alongside a female entrepreneur who is building something beautiful and making a genuine difference in people’s lives is something I’m truly proud of.
What I love most about my role is the people. From the very first inquiry to the moment a couple walks through our doors, I want every person to feel welcomed, valued, heard, and cared for. Creating those moments and helping couples feel confident and excited as they plan one of the most meaningful days of their lives is incredibly rewarding.
For me, exceptional customer experience isn’t simply about service—it’s about connection, thoughtfulness, and leaving people with a feeling they’ll remember long after they leave.
Jessica Rydlewicz
Danielle Gehrt
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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!
