Fall-Themed Wedding at The Herbarium at Bad Hunter in Chicago, Illinois With Spanish Touches

Marissa and Jeff met through Jeff’s sister, and for their wedding, family again played a pivotal role. Marissa tucked her grandma’s hatpins into her bouquet, her sister designed their stationery and to honor Marissa’s mom’s parents, who were born in Spain, the couple placed a porron at each table. “It’s basically a glass wine decanter with a spout that you drink out of in social settings,” Marissa says. “It’s both dangerous and fun!” Shades like mustard, rust and cranberry added even more warmth and good feels to the fall fete. Rented amber water goblets and dusty-blue runners matched the restaurant’s existing velvet chairs and dinnerware, while the olive leaves were a nod to Marissa’s Spanish heritage.
Marissa has always loved the Columbus Park Refectory, both for its indoor-outdoor feel and because it’s a full-proof plan, even in the event of rain. In the spirit of hominess, guests dined family style on whole roasted chickens, roasted fall root veggies, butter dumplings and more. “Though our wedding was neither religious nor super traditional, we decided not to see each other before our ceremony,” Marissa says. “It made the moment even more special.”
“It remains a beautiful mystery,” Marissa says of the fall-flavored cake topped with melted caramel. “We told our pastry chef to do whatever she wanted, and it was absolutely delicious!”