1. Real Weddings

Jessica & Rob: An Outdoor Wedding in Des Moines, IA

About a year after Jessica moved to Chicago, she met Rob while they were working at the same company. They saw each other around the office, but didn’

About a year after Jessica moved to Chicago, she met Rob while they were working at the same company. They saw each other around the office, but didn’t really talk until they ran into each other at a party one night. Rob asked Jessica for her number, and they went on their first date soon after. The Bride: Jessica, 27, in finance The Groom: Rob, 28, in finance The Date: June 27 A little more than a year later, Rob planned a local getaway so the two could take a break from work. As they were packing their things to head to a nearby hotel, Rob asked Jessica to come into the living room. She walked in and found him down on one knee with an engagement ring.

To thank them, Jessica gave her bridesmaids leopard-print, monogrammed tote bags.
Jessica’s mom created wedding programs that coordinated with the invitations.
Hydrangeas, roses, and orchids filled out Jessica’s white and pink bouquet.
Instead of escort cards, the couple had their stationers create a seating chart.
The brown bridesmaid dresses and the guys’ tan suits and ties made for a cohesive wedding party look.
Jessica and Rob gave their baker free rein to come up with a funky, colorful cake design, using their invitations as inspiration.
To add a personalized twist to the space, Jessica and Rob’s wedding coordinators had the couple’s initials and the skyline of their home city, Chicago, drawn in chalk, creating a showstopping backdrop.
To decorate some of the reception tables, vases were filled with river rocks and white hydrangeas, and surrounded with rose petals and votive candles.