Photo Shoot: Pullman Barn Autumn Engagement Party

I’m thrilled to finally share the gorgeous pictures of the photo shoot Renny and I designed this fall.  It was featured on Style Me Pretty‘s national site yesterday, but here are some of the pretty pic’s for your viewing pleasure, all shot by Stevi and Matt of Averyhouse.
With the idea of producing a fanciful collection of parties that follow the progression of wedding-related celebrations a couple encounters throughout their engagement, Renny and I decided to take readers on a year-long journey with a dreamy faux couple, we’re calling Charlotte and William, joining them from fete to fete.

And so, we start with the engagement party thrown by our couple’s best friend.  And here’s our story…
 After getting engaged at the end of summer, the couple’s friends decided to plan the engagement party for late fall and hosted it at a charming new venue on the property of the Chicago Botanic Garden:  Pullman Barn.
 Set-up just outside of the barn was a darling (and delicious) muddling bar, featuring all sorts of goodies  for a one of a kind concoction, upon guests arrival. 
Muddle while you cuddle

 Inside the intimate barn, guests found their seats with the aid of individually labeled gift baskets, doubling as place cards.

 The gift baskets were themed “For a Lazy Sunday Morning” and included items intended to be much appreciated after a late night of celebration.  Each was packed with a thermos ready for hot cider (just add water), fresh scones and apple-honey butter, super strong coffee, a seriously cozy blanket and crisp,  fresh apples.
 The rustic picnic tables were dressed with comfy cushions and a beautiful tablescape of silver, gold and amber vessels hosting bold pops of coral, peach and navy.

 A garland of golden foliage hung overhead, while candles danced below.
Heirloom flatware and lace-cut dinner plates were used for the family-style feast.
 A new obsession of mine…custom placemats were paired with napkin rings printed with the parties’ date, all designed by Cheree Berry Paper.
  Fluffy peonies, open roses, seasonal ilex berries, concord grapes and autumn foliage were artfully arranged by floral goddess, Cornelia McNamara.
After dinner, guests were encouraged to relax and enjoy the setting.  Whimsical games included golden apple croquet…
Customized mad-libs about the couple later read around the fire.
Talk about indulgent!
And what outdoor party is complete without s’mores!
The beautiful spread included sweet items like cider-spiced donuts, gourmet grahams, home made marshmallows and salted caramels, fresh herbs and savory items like cheeses paired with delicious crackers and fresh honeycomb.  Guests paired their treats with cider or cordials.
The firepit was enhanced with cushions, pillows and throws for a cozy, lazy evening.

The coral, camel/gold and navy palette was seasonally appropriate, while proving to be unexpected and fresh.

For all photos, click here.

We’ll be glad to share more of Charlotte and William’s parties throughout the year!

(dreamy vendor credits:)  concept, color, prop and set design by bliss.  all photography by averyhouse.  floral styling by cornelia mcnamara.  printables by cheree berry.  setting and tables compliments of the chicago botanic garden.  Rentals provided by tablescapes.

Real Wedding! Jordan & Lee

A favorite client couple, Jordan and Lee, got married this September at the Chicago Botanic Garden…my absolute 100% favorite venue.  Family and friends were the focus of this simple and elegant affair.  Here are some of the beautiful photos that Brett and Kiri of Pen Carlson captured.

The bride and her girls got ready at the Ritz Carlton, where their every need was seamlessly attended to.  
The ceremony took place at St. Mikes in Old Town, where the couple are longtime members.
After a run one early morning over a month prior to their wedding, I stumbled upon St. Mikes – and the shield of scaffolding that enveloped the building.  I was so nervous to share the ugly news with the couple, who had been planning their wedding for nearly 2 years…but to my relief they were more than OK with the rough look of the buildings’ exterior…The groom is on the board that approved the project!
The only flowers used throughout the wedding were a combination of cream and ivory roses:  vendela, sahara and ivory majolika.  Touches of autumnal foliage added the slightest hint of contrast.

After the ceremony, we shuttled all guests up to Glencoe, the home of the Botanic Gardens.  While guests arrived about 30 minutes prior to the cocktail hour, we had our stationer do a rendering of the garden with the couples favorite spots highlighted on the custom map.  Guests were welcomed to wander the grounds as formal photos were taken.

Guests were invited to the cocktail hour by the unique sounds of a traditional Greek trio, a nod to the grooms’ heritage.
Guests entered the English Walled Garden (one of my favorite spots at the Gardens) through the dramatic oversized blue gates.  Love!

The innovative hors d’oeuvres that Culinary Landscapes created could barely circulate the setting, guests were swarming servers for more delectable treats.  Here, individual bites of caprese salad were finished with powdered flavored olive oil (Chef is a major molecular gastronomy nut), tomato soup was paired with grilled cheese and foie gras bites clad in cotton candy.  Seriously!?  So fun.  So yummy.
Guests found their seating assignments pinned to free-standing boards covered in moss.
Dinner and dancing took place in the tented setting of McGinley Pavilion, overlooking the serene pond.
Gold candelabras were simply and naturally adorned with curly willow branches and bundles of roses, finished with heaps of flickering candles.

Worn gold cups also detailed the tables, filled with vendela roses, liquidambar foliage and seeded eucalyptus.  
The bride and her father had the most special and heartwarming relationship.  He was in heaven as they danced to My Way.
In addition to a delish cake, a massive family cookie table was assembled with dozens of family members contributing their favorite homemade Italian and Greek cookies.

The party was fantastic, never anything but a packed dance floor – thanks to a fun crowd and the Larry King Orchestra!

J&L are madly in love and were such a fixture in my life (after such a long engagement) that I miss them terribly!  
The day was simply perfect…precisely what they deserved.  
Vendor Credits:  Photography: Pen Carlson.  Setting: Chicago Botanic Gardens.  Catering:  Culinary Landscapes.  Decor:  Botanicals.  Entertainment:  Larry King Orchestra.  Printables:  Clementine Ink + Paper.