Anna and Brian's Elmhurst Wedding

Today we’re featuring Anna and Brian’s lovely wedding! Their wedding day was captured by Ashley Biess Photography, based in Chicago, Illinois.

Ashley tells us,

“The couple tied the knot on April 24, 2010 at the Wilder Mansion in Elmhurst, Illinois (a western suburb of Chicago). Before restoring the mansion to its historical context, it used to be the Elmhurst Public Library where Anna and Brian first met while working together. They had original planned for a destination wedding to Hawaii, but decided to stay closer to home to celebrate their union with friends and family. Instead of traveling to the islands, they decided to bring touches of Hawaii to their wedding. Anna and Brian hired a ukulele player to entertain guests before, during and after the ceremony to set the tone of the wedding. Anna walked down the aisle to the ukulele arrangement of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow“.

During the planning stages, Anna found her colorful, floral wedding shoes and based her wedding color scheme around them. Carousel Flowers of Elmhurst designed Anna’s stunning bouquet of green hydrangeas and blue-purple lilies. I probably could have taken photos of just her bouquet for an hour! Anna pinned a feathery hair accessory that was hand-made by her mother. Brian and Anna decorated the entire mansion with eclectic picture-frames showing off their Chicago engagement photos taken earlier in the winter. They also made a hand-made scrapbook showcasing photos of their relationship leading up to their engagement. Guests were passing the book around all throughout the reception. Small green votive candles were lit along the fireplace mantle and simple white water lily centerpieces were placed at every reception table. Everything from the choice of venue to the decorations, the ceremony and reception were filled with so many personal touches. It was a truly special wedding and I am so happy that I was lucky enough to be a part of it.”