An Elegant June Wedding at Onwentsia Club

On a beautiful June Saturday in Lake Forest, Caroline and Ben said “I Do”

The bride and groom pose on a garden bench

The Wedding Day

A flat-lay of the invitation suite, wedding bands, and the bride's wedding day jewelry and shoes

There’s something so wonderful about a classic June wedding, and Caroline & Ben’s big day was no exception! With the ceremony and reception set at the bride’s hometown church and club in Lake Forest, the day was filled with tradition.

After falling in love during the pandemic, Caroline & Ben brought their loved ones together for a touching ceremony at the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest, and dinner and dancing at Onwentsia Club.

The groomsmen walking together in front of the ivy-covered Deer Path Inn

The bride's wedding dress hangs off of the French doors in the garden, framed by hedges and topiaries

Getting Ready

The groom and his groomsmen spent their morning getting ready at the historic Deer Path Inn. Meanwhile, the bride and her bridesmaids got ready in her lovely childhood home. Because of this, it made for an extra-special first look and bridal party photos.

Rosie & Fran of Makeup by Rosie, and Paola & Marina from Taylor Reese Salon brought the glam, and created gorgeous looks for the ladies that lasted all night long.

The wedding day was beautifully captured by Jenn and Ashley of Jenn Marie Creative. We always feel lucky when we work with Jenn, and this wedding was even more meaningful as it was her last in the Chicago area before moving to the Pacific Northwest!

The bride and groom pose in the garden, smiling at the camera

When it comes to a setting for bridal party photos, there’s no place like home! The bride’s mother spent months ensuring the garden would be in full bloom come June. As you can see, her hard work certainly paid off!

Caroline’s bridesmaids wore gowns in a rich navy blue, which nicely complemented the blue details in the tablescapes and florals. As pretty as they were, the dresses weren’t without trouble — a few of them lost the hook and eye closures on top! However, it was no problem our handy sewing kit couldn’t fix. Once we added few quick stitches, the ladies were ready to go. The emergency kit has got your back! (Want to see what else we keep in our magic bags? Check out Lynne’s list of our top ten essentials!)

The bride and groom pose at the top of the beach overlooking Lake Michigan

The couple also managed to sneak away for a few portraits at Lake Forest Beach. Despite the clouds, there’s nothing quite like the serene backdrop of Lake Michigan, no matter if you’re down in the city or up north in the suburbs.

The bride and her father walk down a tree-lined street to church

The Ceremony

After photos, Caroline and her dad walked the short way to First Presbyterian Church for the ceremony. It was a sweet nod to the walks their family took to church every Sunday during her childhood, and it made their already special day even more personal! We love when our clients incorporate elements in their wedding day that are totally unique to them, and this had to be one of our favorites.

The bride and groom at the church's alter, with guests sitting in pews

First Pres was the bride’s childhood church, and a lovely choice for the ceremony. The service was officiated by Clint Roberts, the Senior Pastor of First Pres and a friend of the bride’s family.

The Wedding Reception

After the ceremony, the couple and their loved ones celebrated their union with a fabulous reception at Onwentsia Club. The 127-year old club in Lake Forest has a refined historical atmosphere. Especially stunning are sunset views from the patio during cocktail hour, which provided the perfect backdrop on a summer evening.

Wedding reception table set with green, light blue, and white elements

The ceremony and reception spaces were expertly decorated by Missy Poth of M on the Square, another local vendor. The blue and white color palate selected by the bride and her mother beautifully complemented the pale yellow and green tones in Onwentsia’s dining room.

The final elements of the decor were linens brought in from BBJ La Tavola, with white Chiavari chairs from Hall’s Rentals.

Following an incredible dinner, guests were treated to delicious cake from Gerhard’s in Lake Forest, with champagne mousse and buttercream frosting — perfect for such a celebratory occasion!

Bridal party laughing together at head table

Bride and groom slow-dancing at wedding reception

Later, after heart-felt speeches from their loved ones, Caroline and Ben had their first dance as a married couple to the classic Elvis tune “Can’t Help Falling In Love.”

Caroline and her dad then helped get the party started by dancing to — what else? “Sweet Caroline!” It was a song choice years in the making, thanks to Caroline’s mother, and such a fun way to bring guests out onto the floor.

Entourage from Arlen Music Productions kept the energy up throughout the night and played tunes to suit guests of every generation!

It was such a such a beautiful day from start to finish, and we’re wishing Caroline and Ben the best as they begin this new chapter together!