We are all smiles and giggles after seeing this gorgeous wedding from Kelly Pratt Photography and we think it has something to do with that adorable little boy and the so-super-cute family portrait he drew just for his parent’s big day. Then, Loft & Home is really just spoiling us with the drool-worthy dessert tablescapes (we’ll take twenty of those JoMama’s Signature Sweets cookies, please) and beautiful vintage display areas. All the scrumptious details are right here in the gallery.
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From the Bride… I can’t remember when I didn’t know Pavel; he’s been around most of my life. His family owned a newspaper in town, so he was always everywhere. We were friends and dated briefly in 2002 after I graduated. It lasted a few months and we went our separate ways for over eight years. At the beginning of 2011, we reconnected on Facebook after I had moved back to Hillsboro, and after hanging out one time, it was like we had never been apart. We both had similar ideas to what we wanted for our wedding. The most important things for us was a laid-back atmosphere with our closest family and friends a family-friendly event that kids, including our son, Quinn, could enjoy as well. Our first booking for the wedding was Kelly Pratt Photography. I had found their website when we first started dating, and we looked at it often and said no one else could photograph our wedding but them. Their look is so natural and soft, and they have a vision that is definitely unique and describes their subjects.
We live in a small town, so there aren’t many venues. But we knew we definitely wanted an outside ceremony, and the Challacombe House is a beautiful open space. The Moose Lodge in Hillsboro has beautiful wood floors and is a small building, so that was perfect for the reception. I knew we wanted the reception to have a soft and warm feeling, so we kept the lights on low and had carnival lights strung throughout. The fireplace mantle had chairs around it so people could stop and chat and admire family photos. We wanted soft colors, so we went with blush, ivory, gray and black with touches of lace. I am a huge Sex and the City fan so one of the first wedding purchases were my shoes, and we incorporated that blue into the wedding/reception in different areas. I had HUGE ideas but none of it could have come together without Gary Currie and the Loft and Home staff. From my first meeting with him, giving him my magazines with sticky notes, he was on the same page as me and worked so hard to make our day perfect. One of my musts were those gorgeous coffee filter balls, and he made all of those by hand with his staff.
Family was the most important incorporation into our wedding. My engagement ring and band are family pieces. The crystal brooches on all the bouquets were my great-grandmother’s. His grandparents’ wedding announcement that appeared in the newspaper had been enlarged and framed at the reception. A wedding photo of my grandparents was sitting out along with my mothers wedding, veil and his parents’ wedding photos were out as well. My son, Quinn, drew a family photo of our wedding day, that was also displayed at the reception and in the wedding program. Our wedding day was about both of us, not just me, so I wanted it to be special for Pavel too. He is a photographer/journalist for the newspaper in town, so his groom’s cake was a vintage camera, and we also had newspaper/camera cookies. Pavel’s grandma’s chocolate chip cookie recipe was baked and those were out at the candy bar. The vintage cameras throughout the reception are all from Pavel’s personal collection, and his boutonnière was an old camera lens I found. Pavel loves hats as well, so I found the matching hats for him and Quinn to wear. At the end of our day, we couldn’t have been happier seeing how everything came together and how relaxed it was. We had so much love around us. With about a dozen people left at midnight, the piano players let Quinn come on stage and played Muppet melodies and Disney songs for him, and he said, “This is the most fun day I’ve ever had.” We definitely agreed.
Wedding Photography: Kelly Pratt Photography / Ceremony: Challacombe House in Hillsboro, Illinois / Reception: Moose Lodge in Hillsboro, Illinois / Event Planning: The Bride + Gary Currie of Loft & Home / Floral Design: Gary Currie of Loft & Home / Catering: Jason Milanos of Milanos’ Catering / Wedding Cake: Patty Cakes / Cake Topper: Pegged / Cookies + Groom’s Cake: JoMama’s Signature Sweets / Cupcakes + Cookie: DIY by the Bride / Wedding Invitations: Delphine / Wedding Programs + Menus: DIY by the Bride / Entertainment: The Big Bang / Transportation + Vintage Truck: Eisentraut Theaters / Wedding Dress: Wtoo via Blushing Bride / Bride’s Veil: David’s Bridal / Bride’s Hair Piece: Bel Aire Bridal + Customization by Blushing Bride / Bride’s Shoes: Manolo Blahnik via Bergdorf Goodman / Hair: Style Studio (217-532-3400) / Makeup: Bekah Huston of BJ Grand Salon & Spa South / Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Alfred Angelo via Weddington Way / Groom’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse / Groomsmen’s Attire: Jim’s Formal Wear / Men’s Ties: The Tie Bar / Groom’s + Son’s Hats: Goorin Bros.