1. Real Weddings

An Elegant, DIY Wedding in Lake Forest, Illinois

To-be-weds Anna Swarthout (29 and an advertising creative resource manager) and Matt Moschner (28 and a consultant at Boston Consulting Group) made on

To-be-weds Anna Swarthout (29 and an advertising creative resource manager) and Matt Moschner (28 and a consultant at Boston Consulting Group) made one unexpected move after Matt popped the question 10 years into their relationship...they didn't share the news with a single person. "We didn't tell anyone about our engagement for a whole day," Anna says. "We spent the entire day together letting it sink in. It was so nice to focus on my new fianc? without the distractions and interruptions of phone calls and congratulatory texts." When the time came to plan their outdoor wedding on undeveloped prairie property, Anna enlisted the help of her parents to execute each and every DIY detail (one of the perks to having a contractor father!) "Since so much of our wedding was DIY, we relied heavily on friends and family to help create our day," she says. "It was truly a labor of love." Everything from the lampposts, walkways, bathrooms and flower boxes were crafted by hand – including a reception tent that was built using recycled materials from a recently demolished college nearby. Thanks to the natural, stunning backdrop, Anna and Matt stuck with a simple color palette of ivory and navy in order to let the natural elements of their day shine. Dressed in a white Rosa Clara sheath dress, the bride and her groom spent the night dancing under a full moon alongside guests to the sounds of the Ken Arlen Orchestra. The Italian newlyweds even paid homage to their heritage by gifting guests with cream-filled cannolis at the end of the night. "We displayed them with a little frame with a modified quote from 'The Godfather': 'Leave the fun, take a cannoli'," Anna says.

Anna chose ivory Joanna August dresses for each of her bridesmaids thanks to the casual design of each. "Since the venue was outside, I wanted the girls to be comfortable," she says. The group completed their wedding day style with gold initial charm necklaces gifted to them by the bride.
The bride's father built a smaller tent attached to the main tent for guests to enjoy a casual cocktail hour on the property, where they were able to walk down to the pond of sit along benches lining the space,
"We wanted to keep the look very loose, as if we had picked up a bunch of white wildflowers," the bride says of her Art Quest-crafted bouquet. Astilbe, sweet pea and lamb's ear were used for a soft, natural feel.
In search of a more natural look, the bride wore her hair half up with a long veil.
Bridesmaid Bouquets with Veronica and Scabiosa
Short Half-Up Hairstyle
Simple White Ranunculus Boutonnieres
Each of Matt's six groomsmen wore navy suits from Joseph A. Bank that they then paired with navy and white-striped ties. White pocket square from The Tie Bar completed their classic look.
Two large vases filled with lush, white blooms flanked either side of the altar at the Church of St. Mary. "I was baptized there and Matt was confirmed at that church, so it's very meaningful to both of our families," Anna says.
Matt's two nephews wore navy and white polka dot bow ties to serve as the couple's ring bearers. "They held hands walking down the aisle and carried a small pillow with faux rings," Anna says. "We didn't want to risk losing the real ones!"
Guests cheered as the newlyweds drove off in a restored 1924 Model-T that the groom's father inherited. "After the ceremony, Matt drove us around our hometown and we shared some nice private time before the reception kicked off," Anna says.
Guests cheered as the newlyweds drove off in a restored 1924 Model-T that the groom's father inherited. "After the ceremony, Matt drove us around our hometown and we shared some nice private time before the reception kicked off," Anna says.
Mr. and Mrs. Car Sign
Elegant Farm Wedding in Lake Forest, Illinois
Long, dark wood tables were used to create a communal atmosphere among guests at the outdoor reception. The bride's father even built flower boxes that served as centerpieces while Anna's mom grew the ivy, white euphorbia and bacopa that filled each planter. The natural, simplistic aesthetic was completed using all-white linens and place settings.
Rather than display their escort cards on a table, the couple opted to nail them to a large, wooden wall for guests to find their seats with ease.
Green DIY Centerpieces in Wooden Planters
Anna drew a custom wreath logo that was then incorporated throughout the couple's entire invitation suite – including these elegant table numbers.
Tented Outdoor Reception with String Lights
Chicago bakery Bent Fork created a simple, two-tier carrot and chocolate cake for the couple made with cream cheese frosting. For additional sweets, guests were treated to an assorted dessert bar that included brownies, cookies and everything in between.
Chicago-based performers Ken Arlen Orchestra played Motown hits for guests during the couple's tented reception. During dinner, the band leader even surprised the bride by playing her favorite Beatles song, 'Blackbird'.
Anna and Matt shared a sweet first dance to 'La Vie en Rose' by Edith Piaf. "We knew that we wanted to dance to a classic, old, slow song," Anna says. "I've always appreciated French culture and fell in love with the song when I was young."