I’ve got two words for: gelato bar. Oh, how I love that fabulous dessert and I’m pretty sure I now need to convince all my engaged friends that they have to have one at their wedding. So original and so pretty. And it doesn’t stop there! This gorgeous bride planned an entire Napa meets France wedding and the result was absolutely beautiful. We’ve got Kate Miller Photography to thank for all these pretty images and you can see even more right here.
From the Bride… We got married on October 6, 2012 after being together eight years! When planning our big day, we just tried to stay true to who we are as a couple and make it as personal as possible. This is best seen in our ceremony. Instead of classical music, we asked our string quartet to play our favorites. Our parents walked in to the Beatles’ “In My Life,” the bridesmaids entered to Elton John’s “Our Song,” and I walked down the aisle to The Beatles “Here Comes the Sun.” We got married in a nondenominational chapel in Glenview. Mike’s dad greeted the audience and gave a Jewish blessing (as Mike is Jewish). Then my dad, a Cook County judge, officiated. He spoke about us a couple, and then Mike and I exchanged our own personally written vows. A mutual friend of ours sang Gershwin’s “Someone to Watch Over Me,” a favorite of my grandmother who couldn’t be there. We exited the chapel to the Beatles’ “All You Need is Love,” accompanied by Mike’s cousin and groomsmen on the trumpet. I think we succeeded in making it personal!
As for the rest of the wedding, Mike and I are wine lovers and have traveled to Napa and France together. We decided we wanted our guests to feel as if they were on a French vineyard in the countryside. Our florist immediately got the idea and ran with it. She used soft pinks, light celery greens and created romantic feel for our flowers. In the arrangements. she used grapes and berries, such as raspberries. At the reception, we came up with the idea of calling the space “Chateau Brown.” The centerpieces were manzanita trees that we hoped would give a natural, green, canopy feel to the room. We named each table after a different type of wine and placed wine labels on wine bottles that said, “Chateau Brown. Est. Oct. 6, 2012.” Our favors were purple chocolate grapes!
My mother and I really enjoyed the planning and tried to put as many personal touches in as we could. We made the programs, placecards, and gift card holder. We choose to have a gelato cart late in the evening and made our own sign with different puns for each flavor (Mr. and Mrs. Brown-ie Delight, anyone?). She also helped me pick out my dress — the most important part! After searching many stores, I found a gorgeous Reem Acra that I fell in love with. What sold me, is when they told this Audrey Hepburn lover that the dress was called “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” Done! Overall, I was so happy with our wedding. I was also SO pleased with our photographers at Kate Miller Photography. They were such a blast to work with, and we adore the photos.
Wedding Photography: Kate Miller Photography / Ceremony: Schram Memorial Chapel in Glenview, Illinois / Reception: The Glen Club in Glenview, Illinois / Floral Design: Four Finches / Wedding Cake: Oak Mill Bakery / Gelato Cart: Via Gelato / Wedding Invitations: Carlson Craft + Mi-Te Printing / Programs + Place Cards: DIY by Bride + Her Mother / Menu + Table Cards: Documents and Designs / Ceremony Music: Amaryllis Strings / Reception DJ: Erica of Toast & Jam / Photo Booth: The Traveling Photo Booth / Favors: Morkes Chocolates / Wedding Dress: Reem Acra via Bella Bianca / Bride’s Shoes: L.K. Bennett / Bride’s Hair Accessory: Bel Aire Bridal via Reddington Bridal / Bride’s Earrings: Susan G. Allen / Hair: Katie Bauer of Salon 117 / Makeup: Salon 117 / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Bill Levkoff / Groomsmen’s Tuxes: Black Tie Formalwear / Groomsmen’s Ties: The Tie Bar / Rings: Ethan Lord Jewelry