Molly & Kenny: A Sweet Spring Wedding at Columbus Park Refectory

 

As the first hints of spring have arrived in Chicago, I found myself reminiscing about Molly and Kenny’s beautiful and heartfelt wedding at Columbus Park Refectory. Tucked away like a true hidden gem, this historic venue is full of charm with a brick and stone exterior and sweeping grounds that come alive when winter finally gives way to green.

Spring at the Refectory feels almost poetic. Soft light filters through and the entire space carries a quiet romance that perfectly matched Molly and Kenny’s vision. They embraced their wedding planning in a way that felt natural and effortless, nothing overdone, nothing forced, just thoughtful details woven throughout the day.

What made their celebration so special was how deeply personal it felt. Molly and Kenny chose meaningful touches that reflected who they are, allowing their personalities and love to shine, proof that you don’t need excess to create something unforgettable.

It was the kind of spring wedding that feels both fresh and timeless, where sweet moments unfold against a backdrop rich with history, and where two people begin their next chapter surrounded by beauty, warmth and the people who know them best.

Check out the fabulous photos from one of our fave photographers, Henington Studios.

As the Bride & Groom get dressed and ready for the big day, it's a chance to exchange heartfelt messages.

A perfect First Look moment, full of emotion!

The VIP made an appearance!

The gorgeous grounds of Columbus Park Refectory

Guests fill the space, eager for the big moment!

A few minutes of alone time after the ceremony let the couple catch their breath and create a special moment

A charming polaroid photo guestbook 

Personalized touches reflect the couple's personality and interests

Pure joy!

Congratulations to Molly and Kenny!

Vendor Team:

Venue - Columbus Park Refectory

Chicago Wedding Planner - Camille Victoria Weddings LLC

Photographer - Henington Studios

Dress - Grace & Ivory

Hair & Makeup - Pin Me Up Chicago

Caterer - Blue Plate

Florist - Southside Blooms

Band - True Company

 

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Garden Gathering: A Spring Wedding at Danada House

After Covid shut the wedding world down for a year, we could not have asked for a better first wedding back in the saddle than Hannah and Kyle's at one of our absolute favorite venues -- Danada House! What I loved is that we were able to turn Covid precautions into cute, personalized details. But mostly you'll just notice the love, joy, and fun that this sweet couple had on a perfect spring day. Check out the gorgeous photos by the incredible Sarah Crost Photography:

One thing that I love about Danada House is the beautiful bride and groom suites upstairs, where the bridal party can get ready. It was the perfect backdrop for Hannah and Kyle to exchange pre-wedding letters. Love the reaction!

When I send out my reminders to every couple, leading up to wedding day, I always include a tip to get a decorative hanger for the wedding dress, and this is why.... it makes for beautiful photos for those classic wedding dress shots!

Hannah had a great team of bridesmaids! Bridesmaids are not just there for photos and fun, they are actually supposed to help the bride, and these ladies definitely came through!

Can you guess whose hands those are? Yep, that's me! One of our many tasks on the day of the wedding is to pin on boutonnieres and distribute corsages

I just love this shot because it shows how the guys can have fun with the details too...love the variety of socks! And let's take a closer look......

The groom's socks are such a cute and whimsical touch!

First looks are all about the reaction, and you can feel the anticipation in this photo! On the day-of, we often work with the photographer to make the first look happen seamlessly.

There are so many great places for photos around Danada House! It's got to be a photographer's dream!

Photo by Camille Victoria Weddings LLC

Photo by Camille Victoria Weddings LLC

We called this the Covid station, complete with hand sanitizer and masks. In those crazy Covid times, vaccines were still relatively new, so there were cute wristbands to indicate a guests' comfort level for socializing. Green meant vaccinated and ready for a hug!

A special reserved chair was such a sweet and touching way to commemorate a loved one.

In a special wine ceremony, the bride and groom mix two of their favorite wines into one. On the day-of, we setup the special ceremonial items, making sure the wines are out and open and ready to go.

Just Married!

 

I just love how Sarah, the photographer, captured a little bit of fun and silliness! I don't normally post the family photos, but many people may not realize it's one more thing we help out with on wedding day! We work with the photographer and will call out the family groupings, so photos are quick and easy, and the couple can make it to cocktail hour!

Sibling love! So cute!

Escort cards and favors all in one!

Photo by Camille Victoria Weddings LLC

Photo by Camille Victoria Weddings LLC

Another inside "Covid station." As you can see, the green wristbands were popular...people were ready for hugs!

A room with a view! 

The glassware really adds a lovely extra pop of color to the beautiful tablescapes.

We create a custom, full wedding day timeline for every wedding. Timing may sound mundane, but it can really add an element of surprise and pizzazz to a wedding. In this case, Hannah and Kyle went right into their first dance when they did their grand entrance into the reception. It makes for a wow-factor moment!

Beautiful cake and special cake server and forks.

There are so many ways to incorporate a couple's personality and interests into the wedding decor.

These adorable record table number signs show their love of music.

Another Covid precaution, at that time, was to create special dance zones for each table around the room. These markers on the floor indicated the dance areas, and the play on words turns a safety precaution into a good-humored and cute detail.

Yep, we lit up the night by popping all of the glow sticks for a bright display. 

The glow sticks were multi-purpose for fun dance props and to wave goodbye at the end of the evening.

A cool keepsake from the photobooth. 

These photobooth scrapbooks are one of the many things we gather up at the end of the night to make sure it gets home to the newlyweds.

Their 1st anniversary is now just around the corner! 

Congratulations Hannah and Kyle!

Vendors:

Venue - Danada House

Photographer - Sarah Crost Photography

Florist - Kio Kreations

Cake - Bake it with Tina

Band - Bluewater Kings

Greenery Backdrop and Lighting - Satin Chair

Photobooth - Concept One

Wedding Coordinator - Camille Victoria Weddings LLC

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Top 5 Wedding Trends that Won't Go Away

With wedding season upon us, it's every couple's goal to create a memorable day, scouring the latest trends to incorporate unique details on the big day. I've seen wedding trends come and go, but some trends just won't seem to budge in the hearts of brides and grooms. So, here are the top five wedding trends that just won't seem to go away and how you can put your own new twist on them.

1) Photobooths

When I got married just seven years ago, I desperately wanted a photobooth at my wedding. But, alas, photobooth vendors were few and far between back then. Times have changed. Now photobooths are at almost every wedding I work at. They are provided by DJs, photographers, and independent photobooth companies. While photobooths may not give your wedding that one-of-a-kind feel, they continue to be a crowd-pleaser.

Update the Trend: Instead of a simple photobooth where guests get a strip of snapshots to take home, try a video photobooth! Companies, like PaperCinemas, will turn each guest's short video into a flipbook that they can take home!


2) Trolleys

In an attempt to make even their transportation unique, couples often eschew classic limos for vintage cars and trolleys. In Chicago, you can't drive through downtown on a weekend without seeing a wedding party being carted around by a trolley. Indeed, trolleys are spacious and great for cute photo ops.

Update the Trend: Transportation is an area where the old has become the what's unique again! A limousine is often now the more surprising choice! But if limos just conjure up memories of prom, then consider transporting the wedding party or guests in a British-style double-decker bus.


3) Family Photo Displays

While weddings are all about the newlyweds, I love that couples want to pay homage to their families by incorporating displays of old family photos into the decor. Showcasing black and white photos of the weddings of parents and grandparents makes for a beautiful tribute.

Update the Trend: If looking for other ways to spotlight your loved ones, arrange for the DJ or band to play the first dance songs from your parents' weddings and invite them to the dance floor.


4) Photo Guestbooks

Thank goodness the old guestbooks, where guests just wrote in their names and addresses, have been replaced! Now I most often see photo guestbooks filled with couples' engagement photos, where guests write well-wishes on the pages around the pictures. Photo guestbooks result in a nice memento for the newlyweds.

Update the Trend: Instead of using engagement photos, where guests just see a barrage of images of the couple in various embraces, assemble childhood photos of the couple, with each page showing the bride and groom at different ages. Guests will get a kick out of seeing how the newlyweds have grown up and how their separate paths eventually crossed.


5) Dessert Tables and Late Night Snacks

After your three-course meal, save room for more, because dessert tables and late night snacks have become de rigueur at weddings. Mini-pastries and sliders are popular additions to the wedding menu. But, the truth is, these tasty treats often end up as leftovers!

Update the Trend: Instead of a table of food just appearing in the corner as the night progresses, make your late night goodies stand out so guests gobble them up. Passed cookies with milkshakes in shooter glasses or rolling out an actual ball-park style hot dog stand will get guests' attention.


These five trends have hung around because they are fun and useful details in a wedding. But make a lasting impression on your guests by tweaking these trends and making them your own!

Happy Planning!

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