Third time’s the charm! After planning multiple rescheduled weddings at the Four Seasons Chicago, we finally had to bump this wedding to the summer of 2021 and host it in the groom’s childhood home for a fabulous outdoor wedding.

The Planning

Truly, our story has become quite a familiar one during the COVID years – we planned a fabulous wedding at a posh Chicago hotel. When COVID hit, we assumed, unknowingly, that we had a few months of extra planning time. Of course, we were far from right. So, after bumping the date a few times, we ultimately decided to change plans.

In hopes of hosting more people at an outdoor event, we shifted gears and decided the venue would be the groom’s backyard in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago.

Honestly, we planned the entire back yard around a huge willow tree.

Anchoring the ceremony aisle down the center of the willow tree, we designed the floor plan so that the tent was on the left. However, in doing our best to channel Colin Cowie’s usage of three different spaces, we wanted to reflect that as well.

Therefore, we were able to divide the tent into sections: one for cocktail and then the drape pulls back to reveal the entire reception space.

My absolute favorite part? The bar! We positioned the bar so that it was halfway in the cocktail space. When the team pulled the drapes back, they revealed that the bar was actually a huge round bar, extending into the reception space as well.

Reception Tent

I was so pleased with how the tent divisions came together. It was quite a reveal when we opened the drapes! Super lush and full, the flowers were stunning! The floral gave us the opportunity to remind guests that we were, indeed, at an outdoor wedding.

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Outdoor Wedding

Backyard, outdoor weddings can have a ton of challenges, but that is why you hire a stellar vendor team, right? We lucked out by having a beautiful day. I think it was in the 70s, if I remember correctly, and the sun shone all day long. By the time the sun set on the other side of the house, the tent had a nice, cool breeze that ran through it. I can control a lot of things, but weather is not one of them! So, I was so happy that A & E got such a great day!

Vendor Team

We could not have had such a successful day without the help of this amazing vendor team. So, a special thank you to all of them!

Blue Peak

Life in Bloom

Elegant Event Lighting

White Quill Creative

Peter Wynn Thompson

Catering By Michaels

Arlen Music

Bring The Party Services

and, a special shout to my amazing team at JPB Designs!