A Romantic, Derby-Themed Wedding at the Dunham Woods Riding Club in Wayne, Illinois

For Katie Calamos (23 and a program officer) and Jake Bifoss (25 and an automotive technician) the location of their spring ceremony was a no-brainer. “I grew up riding horses, so when my riding trainer recommended Dunham Woods Riding Club, I knew we couldn’t pass it up,” Katie says. The two wed on the day of the Kentucky Derby, outfitting their venue with julep cups, dusty-blue details and equestrian-inspired stationery.
“Horses have always been such a huge part of my life, so we had to incorporate them into our day,” Katie says. Guests sipped mint juleps and Kentucky bourbon cocktails during the race before moving to a tented reception on the lawn. Three cakes were served, ranging in flavors from tea-and-honey to chocolate buttercream. “Our lingonberry-orange cake was the most eccentric, but it was a hit,” Katie says.