1. Real Weddings

Jennifer & Brian: A Fall Wedding in Belleville, IL

The day she moved into her new apartment, Jennifer met Brian in the parking lot. Brian's close friends just happened to live in the apartments next do

The day she moved into her new apartment, Jennifer met Brian in the parking lot. Brian's close friends just happened to live in the apartments next door to hers, so it wasn’t long before Brian had the opportunity to ask Jennifer out on their first date to a comedy show. The Bride Jennifer Lynn Whitter, 27, paralegal The Groom Brian Keith Adams, 25, sales The Date September 21 Brian proposed to Jennifer in her living room on a Friday night after work. After the proposal, Brian whisked Jennifer out the door for dinner to celebrate. To Jennifer’s surprise, when they arrived at the restaurant, all of their closest friends and family were there to share their special day.

Jennifer and Brian chose to hold their ceremony and reception in the same room at the manor. As part of their ceremony, Jennifer asked a very dear friend of hers to recite a passage from 1 Corinthians.
The couple made sure that their guests received sweet parting gifts. The guests were given a small box of six homemade chocolate leaves, which Brian's mother and Jennifer made a few weeks before the wedding. The boxes were tied with ribbon and berries.
Jennifer wore ivory-beaded, peep-toe pumps to complement her ivory, tulle and organza, A-line, beaded lace gown.
Half of the place settings were adorned with homemade chocolate favors, and the other half featured caramel apples, wrapped in clear and gold bags and tied off with ribbon and berries.
We hired a six-piece band to play at our reception, says Jennifer. Our first dance was to 'You Had Me From Hello' because it just seemed to fit our story so well.
The bottom three layers of their four-tiered confection were made of all white cake with both cheesecake and raspberry fillings. The top layer was red-velvet cake with layers of cream cheese filling.
To complete her fall-inspired look, Jennifer chose gold, floor-length linens and gold chargers, which showcased the lavish floral centerpieces.
Half of the reception tables were decorated with candle-filled cylinder vases wrapped in fall-themed scrapbook paper.
The couple’s florist created half of the centerpieces using fall elements, including wheat stalks, cattails, berries, and greenery. The arrangements were set at the tables and surrounded with soft votive candles.