A Preppy Emerald-and-Pink Wedding in Bloomington, Illinois, Filled With Monogram Accents
When it comes time for a professional wedding planner to tie the knot, you know that, without a doubt, the celebration they plan will be beautifully executed and curated to perfection. That was exactly the case for the private residence Chicago wedding Arin planned in celebration of her relationship with John. The couple tied the knot at the chapel where she first got her start in the industry as a wedding coordinator and then enjoyed a color-packed reception with 60 loved ones at her parent's home. Since the couple had to pare down their guest list as a result of the ongoing pandemic, they plan to celebrate a second time with a sequel wedding in the future, however, their private residence wedding was a meaningful and beautiful way to officially kick off married life. Even the decision to host the wedding at home was special as John's father and late mother also opted for a backyard affair when they tied the knot almost 40 years ago.
"In college, I spent my Saturdays running all of the weddings in my university's chapel," recalls Arin. "It was extremely special for me to have our ceremony where I got my start with weddings! For our reception, we knew we wanted to have a backyard bash just as John's parents did years prior! There is truly nothing like celebrating with your friends and family in your own backyard. When it came to decor, I was totally inspired by a few bold La Tavola linens. Is it crazy to say that I had my wedding linen chosen before I knew my husband?"
As for the aesthetics of the day, Arin explains that "with the ceremony, we truly let the simplicity of the chapel speak for itself. With the reception, we brought all of the fun! A clear top tent was definitely a must and we filled it with a sea of lights. Crisp drapery surrounding the tent brought a tailored look to the tent and made our intimate gathering feel even more special. The table settings were so important to us, and went with three extended long dining tables, layered with patterned linens, lush floral, rattan chargers, custom embroidered napkins, hot pink menu cards and tasseled place cards with hand calligraphy. No detail was left undone." To ensure the day felt personalized, Arin also wove a monogram throughout the teal-and-pink design. "I am a sucker for a monogram, so I put a 'B' for Busch on absolutely everything I could. We had the 'B' on passing trays, bag toss games, cups, napkins, marshmallow jars and more."
Looking back on the wedding day, Arin recalls how she "could not wait to see everything come together. Arriving home as newlyweds to a perfectly set yard was the most exciting. When we got to see the whole tent and how magically all the details came together, it was literally like walking into my dream wedding come true." And, ever the planner, Arin encourages current couples in the midst of wedding planning to remember that "more is more. Don't overthink things or take the safe way out. Go for it! Use the pattern! Use the bold color! Have bright pink cocktail linens and neon koozies! It's meant to be a fun day, so put your personality into every inch of the day and make your guests feel special."