If you’ve followed this little ol’ blog for any length of time you know when it comes to family backyard affairs, we’re kind of obsessed. It’s those Father of the Bride style weddings that completely leave us weak at the knees, and this Illinois “I do” is the latest on our list. Rooted in classic design and romantic tradition, the gallery from Lark Wedding Photography is bound to be an absolute hit.
From the Bride… When Justin and I got engaged, we immediately knew we wanted to have an intimate wedding and were able to convince my parents to have it at their house. With fewer than 40 people, we had the opportunity to really focus on the details of the day and do exactly what we wanted in terms of dcor, food, drink, flowers and everything in between. We wanted our wedding to be romantic, classic, and one that we can look back on in years to come and still look timeless.
My mother took the reins as our wedding planner extraordinaire and she spent over a year planning the most perfect day any of us could have imagined. With the help of her A team (nearly 40 of her closest friends!) almost every detail at our wedding was either borrowed, handmade, or given with love, and that made the day even more special than it already was. From the sterling silverware lent for each place setting, table numbers made from old forks, candles dressed up with handmade bling, and mason jars lining the aisle surrounded by lace with hearts, to the hours and hours friends spent making all the desserts that made up the sweets table, the day really wouldnt have been the same without the help of our friends and family.
We had our ceremony outside, followed by a cocktail hour with yard games for the kids (and the adults played too!). Our reception dinner was in the formal living room of the house, followed by cocktails and dancing in the family room overlooking the back patio, which was illuminated by dozens upon dozens of candle-lit lanterns, tree mounted votives, and candelabras.
Our colors were white and blush pink, which we felt added to the classic nature of the event.
Guests were served blush pink champagne as they arrived through the white arbor leading to the ceremony site in the back yard. The cherry blossom trees were in full bloom, and in the light breeze the white and light pink petals fell across the ceremony site.
My flowers were blush pink peonies, and my broach bouquet (all of which were from my grandmothers collection) included only white crystals, and blush pink ribbon. The light champagne satin platform and handle of the broach bouquet was taken from the extra fabric of my wedding dress, and the bouquet itself was lovingly made by one of my mothers best friends. The flowers in the mason jars lining the aisles, and the arrangements at the guests tables for dinner, were all white, a touch of pink was included in the arrangement at our head table. The flowers on the arbor under which we were wed, were dried hydrangeas, and dried hops from our house Wisconsin. The chandelier hanging from the arbor had blush pink crystals as well, which worked well with our chosen color palette (a gift from one of my sisters from a small town in Pennsylvania during a family trip where I actually bought my dress).
We prayed for good weather for over a year and in the midst of the rainy, cold May Chicago had, we really hoped we would be able to have the backyard wedding we had dreamed and planned for. We had no backup plan for our outdoor ceremony and were very lucky to have a sunny seventy-degree day.
Our photographer truly captured the essence of our day and we will cherish the photographs for many years to come. All our vendors were a dream to work with and we would not change a thing about how the day turned out.
Photography: Lark Wedding Photography | Flowers: Joyce Grattoni | Wedding Dress: Casablanca | Cake: Cookie Cards, inc. | Bride's Shoes: Vera Wang | Catering: Heybecks Meat Market | Makeup: Magnificent Brides | Hair: Appease | Vintage Car: Borrowed From Family Friend | Venue: Bride's Parents House | 2nd Photographer: White Shutter Photography | Bridal Broach Bouquet:: Grandmothers Vintage Broaches | Favor: Donation to Life Raft Group | Groom's Shoes: Hugo Boss | Groom's Tux: Suitsupply | Music: Marlon Longid | Officiate: Bride & Groom's Close Friend | Purse: Vintage | Robe: Plum Pretty Sugar | String Trio: Accolade Musicians | Sweet Table: Homemade By Family Friends | Wedding Dress Tailor: Ms. Couture