Lindsay And Ryan's Nostalgic, Ravinia Park Wedding

By Shannen Hofheimer | Photography by Rebecca Marie Photography

Despite 40-degree weather and the consistent pitter-patter of raindrops, Lindsay and Ryan's wedding photos exude warmth, happiness and delight. Rebecca Marie Photography affirms what is already obvious: the sweet and genuine nature of these two lovebirds is absolutely contagious. Between tying the knot halfway between their hometowns in Highland Park, Ill., and Lindsay getting ready in her childhood bedroom, the special day for this lovely couple was brimming with nostalgia and loving memories as they embarked on the next phase of their life together.

The Love Story

Thanks to a mutual friend needing a substitute player for a softball game and Lindsay's eagerness to “step up to the plate,” these two soul mates crossed paths in the suburbs of Chicago. The day of their meeting, the team won. One could call this a mere coincidence, but it's probably a sign that this love was truly meant-to-be. Two years later, the couple moved to Denver, Colo., and two years after that, were engaged before their most loyal fans. “Ryan surprised me by proposing at his parents' house in front of almost 50 family members and friends. The proposal transitioned seamlessly into the perfect engagement party!”

The Venue

Paying homage to their hometowns and warm, childhood memories, Lindsay and Ryan knew that Ravinia Park would be the perfect place to exchange vows. “We fell in love with the Ravinia venue right away,” Lindsay tells us. “The location was ideal. Ravinia is in between our hometowns, but I think the indoor-outdoor feel is what really sold us. The park is beautiful — especially in the fall — and the floor to ceiling windows in the dining pavilion really allowed you to take it all in while being shielded from the inclement Chicago weather.”

The Ceremony

The value of having family integrated into their special day certainly did not escape this blushing bride and dapper groom. The father of the bride's friend of 30+ years officiated, while an adorable niece and nephew pair graced the aisle. “The ceremony started off with the most precious flower girl and the cutest shoeless, screaming ring bearer you can ever imagine,” the bride reminisces.

The Fashion

“I wore an amazing lace halter Elizabeth Fillmore dress that I found in Denver at Anna Be. The traditional lace balanced out the unique, modern halter cut. Ryan wore a charcoal gray suit from Jos A. Banks with a subtle silver and gold plaid tie,” Lindsay gushes over her handsome groom.

The Inspiration

The soothing colors of poppy, ivory, green, blush and metallics accentuated the already gorgeous room provided by Ravinia for the ceremony and reception.”My gorgeous bouquet was a mix of cream shades with red and peach tones and included roses, dahlias, ranunculus, green poppy pods and mint. It smelled so good!” However, Lindsay tells us that her favorite decor was designed by Mother Nature, whose colorful fall leaves glistened on the lit-up trees outside the windows.

Lindsay and Ryan aimed for an organic, fun day of elegance and warmth. To keep the mood light and carefree at dinner, Ryan embarked on a special project: “Ask Me About” cards that were made for everyone's tables, which had envelopes full of funny stories and anecdotes that corresponded to each of the table members.

The Party

After the seated dinner of short ribs and roasted chicken complete with the side dish of laughter, it was time to devour a yellow cake filled with lemon curd, fresh raspberries and whipped cream frosted in vanilla. “The Fleur team dressed it up with some beautiful flowers and we topped it with a wire groom, bride and dog figurines — an ode to our cute dog Rocky!”

Lindsay and Ryan's wedding band brought down the house, keeping all 240 guests dancing all night long. Polaroid cameras circulated around the dance floor so guests could capture the evening with their own unique flair, taking home memories as souvenirs or leaving them for the bride and groom.

Memorable Moment

“It may have been drizzling rain for most of the day, but I did not care one bit once it was time to see my husband-to-be for the first time. We changed the location at the last minute due to the weather, but the small brick patio ended up being the perfect and most picturesque spot. Plus, my bridesmaids, mom and mother-in-law got to watch the whole thing from the second floor windows above,” Lindsay shares with us. “Getting ready at my parents' house was so special. There’s something about being at home on such a momentous and life-changing day. Getting ready there put me and my bridal party instantly at ease.”