A Classic And Refined California Country Club Wedding

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May 6, 2024

The Planning

Design / Vibe / Vision

Our design focus was classic and elegant. Embracing the traditional look of their Country Club venue, we kept the design refined and simple, so that when we look back at their photos in twenty years, their style will endure.

Proposal Story

Sarah and Drew were engaged in Chicago on Memorial Day weekend. With a ruse in place to “meet Drew’s parents for dinner”, Sarah got ready and headed with Drew to Lincoln Park. Much to Sarah’s surprise, Drew proposed, with a photographer hiding in the park to capture their life-changing moment on film. With one more surprise up his sleeve, Drew surprised Sarah with a proposal celebration to follow including both of their families who had flown in from California, Nebraska, and Texas, toasting the happy couple with champagne and well-wishes. It was a beautiful evening and weekend filled with celebrations; truly everything Sarah and Drew could have dreamed of for their engagement story.

Getting Ready

Bridal Portraits

Flat Lays

First Look

The Fashion

Wedding Gown

Sarah wore the most beautiful designer gown by Monique Lhuillier. I recall turning a corner to see Sarah and her dad slowly stepping down the stairs from the bridal suite for the first time. I was transfixed by her stunning presence and was brought to tears. That was a first for me!

Bridesmaid Dresses

Sarah styled her bridesmaids in elegant midnight navy dresses which added a deep touch of color against our backdrop of white, ivory, and gold, and complemented our overall wedding story of classic elegance.

Groomsman Attire

Drew styled his groomsmen in distinguished black tuxedos with tailored jackets and trousers, and white button downs, and then completed the look with the timeless sophistication of a chic black bowtie.

Wedding Party

Ceremony

Cocktail Hour

The Details

Food & Drink

Sarah and Drew’s private Country Club venue served delicious cuisine from their in-house culinary team, who worked diligently with the client to create a custom menu that delighted guests from their first bite of Kakuni Pork Belly at cocktail hour to the Wild Caught Seabass with Charred Lemon Beurre Blanc enjoyed at dinner.

Florals & Decor

Edwin Portillo Floral Designs enhanced our vision with lush and beautiful florals that helped our wedding story visually unfold in a spectacular way. Our stationery and signage wove in the color scheme utilizing a gold mirror for the seating chart, whites, ivories and midnight navy blue accents in their escort cards and menus, and a beautiful cursive script that was featured throughout the finer details.

Wedding Cake

Susie Cake Bakery created a beautiful white cake topped with the most exquisite, fresh florals, that tied in our overall design. During the dance party, we moved the cake to the center of the dance floor, making sure none of the guests had to leave the party to enjoy the deliciousness!

Special Detail #1

Sarah’s dream came true to be married in very same location her parents were married many moons prior. Her family comes from generations of 'Members of the Club', and it has a very special place in the family's hearts.

Special Detail #2

The first piece of inspiration that Sarah and her mom, Kathy, shared with me on the initial design talks was a beautifully curated white menu with a navy-blue ribbon. This piece remained a constant inspiration throughout. Many brides evolve their design and likes during the planning process, and Sarah’s lasting, favorite inspiration in the final stages, was still that classic, timeless piece of stationery. So that is exactly what she received!

Couple Portraits