An Elegant, Traditional Wedding at the Newberry Library in Chicago, Illinois

Ryan Barrer (31 and an entertainment director) and Jenny Langendok (29 and a marketing supervisor) met in Chicago, where they both worked for the same company and would run into one another at office functions. They didn't date until three years later, however--when Ryan decided to move to Los Angeles. They carried on a long distance relationship until Jenny moved to Los Angeles to be with him. Ryan proposed two years later in Chicago at the same place where they had their first date. Inspired by the city where their love began, Ryan and Jenny decided to host their wedding in Chicago with a traditional Catholic ceremony at St. Michael's Church and a reception at the Newberry Library.  Since they decided on a library venue, Jenny decided to incorporate old books into the centerpieces with menus printed on library cards. She also designed all of the navy and white wedding stationary herself and stamped and calligraphed everything by hand. Most of the flower arrangements incorporated bright orange stems, like roses and tulips, to contrast from the navy color palette. The bridesmaids wore short navy dresses, while the groomsmen donned gray vests with orange plaid ties. Jenny's mother helped make all the desserts for the reception, including the small wedding cake decorated with orange flowers and a typographic cake topper. At the end of the reception, guests went home with favor bags of coffee beans from a custom coffee bar. "The whole day was relaxed and full of joy, family and friends--a great reflection of us as a couple!" Jenny says.