This Starved Rock State Park wedding is easy to love for a lot of reasons, but standing tall and proud above the rest? The bride and groom, two adorable sweethearts who happen to be smiling with pure, unadulterated joy in each and every image. I’m talking the kind of love that literally bursts from your computer screen, people. It’s awesome. And when you pair all of that happiness with a gallery of pretty captured by Laura Fisher Photography, it’s a guaranteed day of swooning. Join me there for more.
From Laura Fisher Photography… A cool summer’s day, crisp and fresh after a spell of rain, set the air for Heather and Tammer’s quiet, bespoke forest wedding at Starved Rock State Park & Trails. Married beneath the giant pines, Tammer and Heather (or–as they like to collectively call themselves now that they’re married–“Tethered”) celebrated their big day with natural touches abound: herbal boutonnieres, flowered bridesmaid frocks, spice jar favors for the guests, and lavender blossoms for throwing during the recessional. The reception at Starved Rock Lodge ended the night on a cozy note, with wine and lavender buttercream cake in front of the giant fireplace in the main hall of the Lodge.
For this San Francisco couple, it’s no wonder they were drawn to get married in the one corner of Illinois that looks like you’ve been magically transported to the mountain woodlands of Northern California!
From the Bride… We met when we were sophomores in high school, dated for two weeks, broke up, and then began a year long battle of Tammer trying to win me back. At times we were speaking daily (lots of international calls!), and at other times not speaking at all. When my long term relationship fell apart, I moved back into my parents’ home outside Sacramento, and Tammer coincidentally moved to SF. It was magic from then on!
The inspiration behind our day was the location… Starved Rock State Park. It was the centerpiece of our wedding, because it was a place that we had visited when we first met in high school. It holds lots of memories for us. I wanted to incorporate herbs and spices into the ceremony and reception as much as possible, to fit with the natural setting–and, well, cooking is kinda my thing.
For wedding favors we bought many different kinds of herbs in bulk from Penzey’s–coriander, aleppo, thyme, tarragon, you name it. We ordered spice jars with cork lids online and had a designer on Etsy create the labels. I had a favor-making party with my bridal party to get all the jars filled!
Photographer: Laura Fisher Photography | Wedding Coordinator: Tiffany Sigala | Florist: Mary's Special Touch | Wedding Dress: Amy Kuschel | Cake: Starved Rock Lodge | Invitations: The Nesting Project | Ceremony Venue: Starved Rock State Park and Trails | Reception Venue: Starved Rock Lodge | Engagement Ring: Vintage - bride's grandmother's | Bridesmaids Dresses: Amsale | Caterer: Starved Rock Lodge | Hair and Makeup: Luscious Moi | DJ: Get Up and Dance | Wedding Favors: Penzey's Spices | Men's Ties: Café Coton San Francisco | Groom's Tux: Indochino | Placecards + Table Markers: The Nesting Project | Programs: The Nesting Project | Save-the-Dates: The Nesting Project