A Romantic Tented Garden Wedding in Hinsdale, Illinois, With Flowers at Every Turn

For their wedding, Alexandra (Alex) and Balaji (Bala) planned a tented private residence celebration with a romantic garden aesthetic. Elegance abounded throughout this couple’s wedding, from their bespoke details to the lush flower arrangements. "We got married in the yard at my parents’ house," explains Alex. "We decided on an at-home wedding partly due to personal sentiment (this is where Bala proposed) and partly due to the uncertainty around COVID when we first started planning. This backdrop really inspired our design. We wanted the feel of the wedding to be elegant and sophisticated to match the style of the property, yet approachable and comfortable for our guests given we were at home. We decided on a soft blue color as our main accent which would tie everything from the invitation suite to the day of paper, to the tabletop accents and linens together. Around the side of the home, there is a beautiful stone gate that takes you into the space where our reception tent was put up. We used the gate as a symbol for our wedding on our invitation suite and many of the day-of paper pieces."

Elegant flower details played a major role in helping the couple's vision come to life. "Alex's parent's house is an English Tudor style, so we wanted the florals to have hints of an English Garden feel," says Bala. "The floral palette for the ceremony included smilax greenery, fluffy white hydrangea, white delphinium, blush and cream roses, white snapdragon, and cream spray roses."

Before decamping to a sailcloth tent for the reception, Alexandra and Balaji exchanged vows in front of a lush floral arch that set the tone for the garden-inspired wedding day. While the ceremony on the wedding day was Catholic in keeping with Alex's faith, the couple also tied the knot with a traditional Hindu ceremony a month prior in honor of Bala's heritage. 

During cocktail hour, guests found their seats with the help of an escort card display comprised of elegant stationery, blue ribbon and gold wax seals. "A Pinterest photo gave me the inspiration for our escort cards, which included gold wax seals with the gate pressed on them and silk ribbons in various colors of blue," explains Alex of the elegant detail. Another highlight of cocktail hour included a fun nod to the couple's dog. "During cocktail hour, we had a lemonade station called 'Zoe’s Lemonade Stand' after our two-year-old Bernese Mountain dog, with three different lemonade flavors and various spirits to create your own lemonade cocktail."

Once seated, guests took into the lush floral arrangements and classic place settings that filled the sailcloth tent. The couple wanted to bring a refined, residential feel to their reception so they hung "pendant chandeliers from the ceiling of the tent and had draping around all of the exterior tent poles to make the tent feel like an extension of our home," explains the couple. "We had lounge seating area in one corner of the tent with a French country sofa, a gold and glass-top coffee table, and accent pillows matching our soft blue aesthetic to extend the residential vibe. The dinner tables were all adorned with beautiful floral centerpieces and carefully selected table settings. We had whitewashed wooden chairs at each table to complete the design."

Not only was the aesthetic of the day important to Alex and Bala, but the entertainment and activities were also paramount. "We were most excited about our band, Becca Kaufman Orchestra," they explain. "We actually picked our wedding date around their availability. They are absolutely incredible musicians and entertainers, and they brought just the right energy to the dance floor at the end of the night." As another form of entertainment, the couple also had a fun GIF photo booth at the reception for wedding guests to enjoy. 

Looking back on their private residence wedding in Illinois, Alex and Bala encourage other couples in the midst of wedding planning to "definitely share ideas with each other to come up with the perfect vibe and style that's a reflection of the two of you. And enjoy the ride! It's an amazing experience to celebrate your love by planning the perfect day to celebrate your union and share it with those closest to you."