Summer Backyard Style Intimate Wedding at the Cheney Mansion in Oak Park, IL

Amy & Eric wanted their intimate summer wedding at the Elizabeth Cheney Mansion in Oak Park to feel like a backyard barbecue style gathering with their closest family and friends that happened to have a wedding ceremony before hand. They got ready inside the historic mansion and had their reception under the tent with plenty of yard games, food, with soft pretzels and root beer floats as a late night snack. The food tastings and gingerbread cake (the skull cake topper is a nod to Eric’s gamer name Mr Bones) were some of their favorite parts of wedding planning.

There were so many sweet moments between Amy’s mom, who came from out of state, getting emotional while getting ready, to Eric’s grandma who was so funny during group photos. They chose to do a first look and get some photos done before walking down the aisle where the bride’s best friend Aime married them. They loved sitting at dinner together and soaking in the moment with all their friends and family gathered from afar.

Amy’s bouquet was a colorful bunch that reminded her of “springtime because of the peonies, our engagement because of the wildflowers, and our wedding venue because of all the flowers and greenery at Cheney Mansion.” She also has a gorgeous eye for details and had 2 dresses and 2 pairs of shoes because she couldn’t pick! Their invitations included historical touches matching the mansion and a nod to Lord of The Rings that they love watching together.