Photo: Pen Carlson
Dee Dee and Peter were married before 105 guests at St. Luke Church in River Forest. The couple chose St. Luke's becuase it was the parish where the groom grew up and his two daughters currently attend elementary school. Dee Dee wore a silk organza Lazaro gown with a pleated tulle and lace skirt, from Bridal and Formal. "The dress was romantic yet alluring," she says.
The letterpress-printed invitations were mailed to guests in fabric sleeves fashioned from varying textiles in autumn hues; the design was by Bird and Banner. The beribboned ceremony programs were by Fitzgerald's Fine Stationery.
The wedding reception was held in Old Town at A New Leaf, a modern event space and floral boutique; the venue also provided the wedding's fall-inspired floral arrangements. Escort cards were tied to candy apples that doubled as favors. "We wanted the reception to feel like an intimate dinner party with our closest friends and family," says Dee Dee.
Upon arrival, guests were greeted with mugs of warm apple cider, followed by an assortment of passed hors d'oeurves, including Maryland crab cakes and tomato soup served in sake cups with mini grilled cheese sandwiches. Dinner featured multiple food stations that "added an upbeat, social vibe to the evening," says Dee Dee. All catering was by Limelight. The couple also worked with Katie Kozlowski of Dettagli Weddings on the event details. The design of the wedding cake was inspired by Dee Dee's gown—the top tier resembled the dress's scalloped lace bodice, and the bottom tier was modeled after the tulle and lace skirt.
For their first dance, Dee Dee and Peter chose "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me" by Mel Carter. Guests joined them on the dance floor as DJs from Toast & Jam spun tunes. The couple and their guests enjoyed poignant toasts by family and wedding-party members, including a joint speech by the bride's two sisters. "All the toasts were spectacular," says Dee Dee. Before guests left, some wrote sweet sentiments on the venue's windows.
Photos: Pen Carlson
Photographer: Pen Carlson || Bride's Gown: Lazaro from Bridal and Formal || Invitations: Bird and Banner || Programs: Fitzgerald's Fine Stationery || Reception Site: A New Leaf || Catering: Limelight || Wedding Planner: Dettagli Weddings || Reception Music: Toast & Jam || Wedding Cake: Amy Beck Cake Design
Visit our Real Weddings page to find more traditional style inspiration.