My Magical Wedding Venue: Part One

When Mr. Snapdragon and I decided to start planning our wedding, I was most worried about our venue. We needed a place that consolidated all of these elements:

• Close to Chicago
• ADA-standard accessibility
• Affordable hotel block
• Ability to have all of the wedding events in one place
• Over and above being practical... we need to LIKE IT :)

We need to hold the wedding close to Chicago so Mr. Snap's family can get there (they are true city folk, with minimal cars!) We needed the ADA-accessibility and affordable hotel rooms for reasons explained here, and the need for a one-stop wedding is a bit obvious. Would YOU want to load up and transport all of the Snapdragons from party to party? Mmmm, no, and I AM a Snapdragon. :) It will be much better structured in such a way that I get ready at the hotel, my mom can pop in whenever, my siblings can go where-ever they want, and my poor Snappydad (who would have just driven a boatload of Snapdragons 18 hours one-way) can take a break from driving.

Believe it or not, we found such a place, and I am head over heels in love with our location. When everything worked out... I literally felt a spotlight from heaven and heard the angels singing - SUCH a load off of my mind!

Our venue search actually began before we even officially decided to start wedding planning.... Way back on a cloudy day in May.... Mr. Snapdragon and I attended my college buddies' wedding out in the Chicago burbs. B and I lived together with about five other girls in college, and then we were apartment roomies for about four years after graduation, so I was extremely excited to see her married off. We saw each other through several boyfriends!

B and her beau met in college, and we were all thrilled to see them tie the knot. Many of our friends from college attended, so we had the added element of a reunion, which is also so nice. B shares my love of all things crafty, and she is so creative! We could SO tell that this was THEIR wedding, their personalities were absolutely reflected in everything throughout the night.

All pro-pics by Mike Schneider Photography.

When Mr. Snaps and I drove onto the property, we were immediately wowed by how BEAUTIFUL everything was... One second we were on the highway... the next in the middle of a beautiful forest, next to a shimmering lake. For city peeps.... that is pure gold! In the midst of the natural surroundings, the hotel is uber-modern. Minimalist decor, floor to ceiling windows (wall to wall, might I add,) - lots of straight lines. So beautiful. The clouds were threatening rain - bad for bridal nerves, good for photos (cloudy days make for the best photog days.) Thankfully, the actual raindrops held off long enough for our friends to get married. :) See these pics from the ceremony...

Waiting, waiting...

B in her beautiful dress - I love that she chose a rose-aisle... it worked so well with the natural surroundings.

Mid-marrying... about right here is where we were all praying that the clouds would hold on to their rain for 15 more minutes!

Success!

Party-time!!!! So, now that B and Beau are hitched - hereafter known as B&B - it's time to drink, dance, and model! Yes, that's right, I said model. Although photobooths have caught on like wildfire, B booked one way back at the beginning of the trend, and I had never seen one at a wedding before. Best. Idea. Ever. I am a total photobooth 'ho (that's right, I said it!) If there is a photobooth within five miles of myself, you best believe I will force all my friends into said booth for a ridiculous photo session. I gave B a hug following her ceremony for two reasons: 1) I wanted to congratulate the new married lady 2) I was in tears from sheer happiness at the prospect of unlimited photobooth happiness alllll night. (sigh) It was a special moment.

B&B's entire wedding took place at the same hotel, which is actually a retreat of sorts, hence the mass numbers of trees, grass, and flowers. We loved that after the ceremony, we only had to walk about 20 steps to pick up a flute of champagne... Their reception included a cocktail hour and then dinner and dancing in the hotel's grand ballroom. Very special phrase: Floor-to-ceiling windows. Really gorgeous. There was so much natural light, that you didn't need the electrics 'til after sundown.

As we Bees love the details - here's a taste...

Flowers, flowers everywhere...

B&B's escort cards were so cute. The bride halved wine corks and then used each half to hold up the individual cards. Simple, easy, and elegant.

Ummmm, lots of dancing, hence the bare feet you see below. There *might* have been mass Soulja Boy reenactments. ;) They also had a custom gobo made, which was really beautiful, especially once the light started to dim.

B made table numbers by taking a B&W photo of her dog Comet holding a blank sign. She then Photoshopped in the different table numbers and set them up on easels for each table. It was really fun and personal, especially since Comet couldn't come to the wedding (he's sprightly!) The signs were narrow and tall and matted. Highly recommended.

(Image Source: B!)

There were few things for which I do not have photos... (Bad Bee!) B also put together a yummo candy bar. This was back before candy bars caught on - B is a trendsetter! I had never heard of such a thing, and as you might imagine, I was over-the-moon delighted. I pretty much made myself sick off of Sourpatch Kids - Success!

Completely exhausted and partied out, Mr. Snapdragon and I dragged ourselves back into the city. About a month later, this wedding 'specially came back into play...

Yes, I am sure you can guess where this set of blogs is leading.... bear with Old Snaps. ;)