1. Real Weddings

Lauren & Riley: An Organic Wedding in Chicago, IL

It was all about organic style at Lauren DeLoach and Riley Sheehan's Chicago wedding, from the handmade invites to the terra cotta-potted reception dé

It was all about organic style at Lauren DeLoach and Riley Sheehan's Chicago wedding, from the handmade invites to the terra cotta-potted reception décor. The Bride Lauren DeLoach, 26, business owner/creative director The Groom Riley Sheehan, 30, business owner/director of technology The Date August 6 A temporary position turned into a permanent relationship when Lauren met Riley at the company she was hire to do some freelancing for. They chatted often, and eventually when Lauren's desk was being moved, Riley found a way to make sure it wound up next to his. Two months later, the two started dating under the radar -- or so they thought. It all came out in the open at the annual Christmas party, Lauren remembers, apparently everyone knew already! Riley later proposed to Lauren on a surprise trip to northern California -- he popped the question following a romantic picnic among the Redwoods.

I knew the moment I tried it on that it was the one, Lauren says of her Ulla-Maija gown. The strapless ball gown featured hand-draped white duchesse satin with a pick-up skirt, giving it a meringue-like look.
Lauren's five attendants wore two-piece ensembles made with silk-satin organza by Watters & Watters. The strapless top was in ivory, while the A-line skirts were green.
The First Dance
The Couple
Lauren and Riley celebrated with their guests in a three-story loft space in Chicago, which was actually owned by their florists. The cocktail hour took place in an open courtyard, and dinner was served on both the lower and upper levels. Since the space is totally open, we could see everyone on the lower level, almost like a balcony, and they could see us, the bride says.
The Cake
Lauren was so enamored by her florists' organic style that with just a few guidelines she gave them carte blanche to do as they liked. I had no idea what anything was going to look like until I showed up at the church! she says. The results were everything she had expected, with textural bouquets that worked with the couple's green and brown palette.
Lauren and Riley designed and printed the paper goods for their wedding. All of the elements fit into the theme of all things grow with love. The organic feel was enhanced by using layered papers, natural textures, and fonts with a rustic flair. They also came up with motifs for different parts of their wedding -- for example, a twig with two leaves represented the bride and groom, and five small leaves with one larger leaf in the middle represented the bride and her maids. The color scheme of chocolate brown, chartreuse, and creamy white also added to the natural feel.
Lauren and Riley exchanged vows in St. Clement Church, an intimate space nestled in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood.