Surprise and Delight: An At-Home Wedding in Lake Forest
Like many 2020 weddings, this one required a venue change. What began as a Chicago Botanic Garden celebration moved to the bride’s family home in Lake Forest. It wasn’t until plans shifted that the real story emerged: her parents had celebrated their own wedding at the same house thirty years before.
At-home weddings come with a specific set of challenges: tent layout, guest flow, and weather contingencies all require more deliberate planning than a traditional venue allows. The tent at this property was narrow and long, so we worked with what the space gave us. Hanging greenery and twinkle lights covered the ceiling, soft draping lined the walls, and a mix of wood and linen-covered tables kept the overall look balanced. One of the most personal touches came from the Mother of the Bride, who handmade several of the birch candlesticks incorporated into the tablescapes.
Dancing moved to the patio, anchored by a monogram pulled from the invitation design. To keep the celebration going into the late hours without bumping up against noise ordinances, a silent DJ closed out the night.
The bride came to us with one guiding phrase: “surprise and delight.” It shaped every decision, and the guests felt every bit of it.
PLANNING
The Creative Planners
PHOTOGRAPHY
Tim Tab Studios
FLORIST
Flowers for Dreams
LIGHTING & DRAPING
Elegant Event Lighting
TENT
Blue Peak Tents
CATERING
Food for Thought
CAKE
Gerhard’s Bakery
BAND
TVK
STATIONERY
Letterpress by Lydia
At-home weddings are some of our most personal work. If you’re considering one in the Chicago area, we’d love to hear about your story. Drop us a line today.
