“What a beautiful “picnic in the woods style” May wedding!! Ryan and I loved Sean + Stephanie’s wedding day. Remember when we photographed S+S at this same wooded Sugar Grove, IL Forest Preserve back in January? It was much greener this time around (and definitely warmer at close to 90 degrees plus humidity.) The wedding at the forest preserve was filled with bright colors of orange, warm touches of nature’s green and brown, and was buzzing with family and friends gathering for Sean + Steph’s wedding ceremony.

 

The picturesque outdoor ceremony spot Sean + Stephanie picked was on a rolling tree-covered hill, beneath the warm shining sun — intimate nature was all around and it was an absolutely perfect, naturally beautiful May day. S+S’s ceremony at Bliss Woods reminded Ryan and I of our own Nevada mountain wedding ceremony in a way… our favorite types of weddings to shoot are destinations or local Chicago area outdoor ceremonies.

 

Sean + Stephanie’s very personalized ceremony and “picnic-style” reception was a reflection of Sean+Steph’s relationship, engagement at the park and past visits to Bliss Woods. With the help of Mary Beth Kraft of Social Butterfly and her wedding planning & decorating expertise, the day encased numerous touches of picnic elements such as baskets, candles, cupcakes, wine bottles, wildflowers, picnic benches, picnic tables + table cloths, outdoor wooden touches brought inside, shades of oranges, and greenery. The guests enjoyed live music, everyone danced all night, it was truly a memorable and awesome time. During the ceremony the Aletheia String Quartet created a ceremonial ambiance and played “All you need is Love” as the exit song —a special request by Stephanie. Prior to dinner the Brent Shroy Recital (a live band who are friend’s of Sean+Steph) joined by Stephanie’s sister Amanda, the maid-of-honor, performed during happy hour. DJ Monty from St. Louis Missouri kept the dance floor going all night long. I fell in love with their first dance song “Can’t Help Falling in Love, Fools Rush In” a cover by Ingrid Michaelson. ( I downloaded this song myself. It’s beautiful & a perfect first dance song! ) The reception venue was a familiar place to Sean’s family and grandparents. It was a country barn style police lodge which was decorated with twinkling lights spanning the roof beams. Attached to lodge was a white tent which included picnic tables and a cocktail bar, so guests could enjoy more of the outdoors throughout the evening until the end of the reception. We loved the set up and so did the guests.

 

Thanks S+S for setting aside a little extra time in your busy wedding day for some on-location bridal coverage! It was fun photographing indoors at the restaurant & bar and getting creative with the Bride + Groom : ) Sean + Stephanie — we hope you love these fun pics and enjoy the photographed memories of your wedding day. Thanks for hiring us, we enjoyed celebrating with your family & friends and maybe we’ll see you again one day one soon at one of their weddings… if we’re lucky!!”

 

 

 

 

Revisit Sean + Stephanie’s Winter engagement photo session which also took place at Bliss Woods in Sugar Grove.

 

Sean + Stephanie’s outdoor wedding ceremony and reception were both in Sugar Grove Illinois. Their Spring wedding ceremony took place at Bliss Woods and following was the reception at the nearby Kane County F.O.P. wooden lodge and rustic barn. Wedding day planning and coordination by Mary Beth Kraft from Social Butterfly 630-631-9567. The live event music was by the Aletheia String Quartet, the Brent Shroy Recital, Stephanie’s sister Amanda and Scott Monahan of DJ Monty 618-567-6237.

Sarah + Ryan Miller:

“Mohsin + Heidi traveled with family and friends to Heidi’s home state of Illinois to unite in marriage under a canopy of trees at Starved Rock State Park in Utica, IL. A far contrast from their current location in bustling New York City as graduate students at Columbia University, Starved Rock offered Heidi memories of her early childhood visits hiking the canyons, as well as the perfect wedding location incorporating the beauty of nature, an intimate ceremony backdrop and rustic retreat of the lodge.

 

M+H planned for a romantic pre-ceremony, private meeting spot followed by a hike into one of the park’s many sandstone canyons which served as a beautiful backdrop for their bridal photos. A wedding at Starved Rock Lodge is an excellent option when searching for a Chicago outdoor wedding ceremony location – it is noted as one of the Seven Wonders of Illinois.

 

With the early morning rain thankfully receding, Mohsin + Heidi’s ceremony proceeded outdoors where the soft sounds of a dulcimer enhanced the Islamic Nikah ceremony officiated by the Imam. Heidi customized every visual element of their destination wedding day with the incorporation of personalized details of brilliant, peacock feathers which influenced the variety of jewel tones in her bridesmaid’s dresses and various feathers within the wedding programs, bridal hair pieces and décor. She looked stunning in her unique, 1920’s vintage style, v-line Jenny Lee gown purchased from Mark Ingram Bridal Atelier in NYC. Thank you Heidi + Mohsin and congratulations! We enjoyed spending your wedding day with the two of you.”

 

Contact Jill Jacobs the wedding coordinator at Starved Rock Lodge by calling 800-868-ROCK.
For wedding and bridal party hair and make-up, contact Heidi’s stylist Neil at Luscious Moi Beauty Salon located in LaSalle, Illinois at (815) 220-8005.
View Heidi + Mohsin’s published wedding announcement in The New York Times by clicking here.