1. Real Weddings

Esther & Jae: An Outdoor Wedding in Woodstock, IL

Esther and Jae first met at a happy hour in Chicago that their mutual friend organized. She was living there at the time and he was passing through th

Esther and Jae first met at a happy hour in Chicago that their mutual friend organized. She was living there at the time and he was passing through the city. The Bride Esther Hong, 29, real estate associate The Groom Jae Hyung Kim, 32, investment banker The Date June 14 Four years later, Esther decided to spend a month in Korea to take language lessons and Jae was there on business. She decided to contact him when she arrived and after their first meeting they were inseparable. On Thanksgiving Day three years later, Jae flew from Dallas (where he spending Thanksgiving with his family) to see Esther in Chicago (where she was visiting hers). When she arrived home she was shocked to find him waiting for her with a ring.

Guests took home jars of honey labeled with custom stickers printed with the couple's tree motif and names.
Esther and Jae danced a choreographed fox trot to Let There Be Love by Nat King Cole.
Blue-and-white escort cards stuck out of fresh sod planted in a rustic wagon.
The bridesmaids carried bouquets of pink and yellow roses and peonies hand-tied with yellow ribbon.
Potted peonies along with vases filled with pink and cream roses, peonies and candles lined the banquet-style tables.
The couple was married by the pastor who baptized Esther. She recited her vows in Korean and he did his in English.
Esther carried a bouquet of cream roses and peonies.
The bridesmaids wore navy blue, cocktail-length dresses with empire waists and pleated bodices. The groomsmen wore three-button tuxes with silver and navy polka dot ties.
Cream card stock, printed with the couple's tree motif, were finished off with navy blue ribbon.
When the weather didn't cooperate for an outdoor reception, the couple decided to bring the outdoors in. They lined the inside of the big red barn with 40 potted maple trees. Long, banquet style tables covered in khaki linens were topped with fresh blooms and candles.
A blue swirl pattern covered the three-tiered, round cake filled with devil's food cake and frosted with white buttercream.
The flower girl, dressed in a white silk shantung dress pinned with a pink flower, carried a green flower basket tied with a pink bow. The ring bearer wore a black suit and carried a nest with the rings.