The setting? Carmon’s in Champaign, with the girls in one bridal suite and the guys in the next one over. As I arrived to Anna and the girls, I was met with such a chill atmosphere – just what I hope every wedding morning is like! The girls all took turns getting Anna ready into her dress and all bejeweled, which included her hair adorned with gold accents. Anna has SUCH a cool vibe and it perfectly matches her sweet and endearing personality – she truly lights up a room.

But if you want to see that room REALLY lit, put Anna in a room with Jake. Together, they damn near sparkle from the love they share. From stolen glances and soft kisses, it doesn’t take a detective to know they’ve got a great thing going.

As Jake prepped with his guys, we discussed the game plan for the wedding day, which isn’t typical. But just under a week before, the idea of moving the ceremony at Allerton to indoors was heavily debated. Although the forecast showed rain, and a good chance of it, I reminded them that in Illinois (though I’m sure we aren’t the only ones) the weather is TRULY unpredictable. I don’t even CONSIDER the forecast until a few days before, and even then, I’ve seen weddings move to their plan B only for the weather to turn out fine! So, throwing caution to the wind, we were proceeding with the ceremony in the Sunken Gardens of Allerton Park, and now that the day was here, it proved to be a smart call, with only one slight exception.

THE HEAT.

While we weren’t looking at rain, we were looking at 87% humidity in 92° (feels like 95°!) heat. Add that to a ceremony in an essential crater (ie – no breeze) in full sun and the outcome is HOT.

While the arriving guests took as much shelter in shade and under umbrellas as they could, the wedding party was divided up on either side of what’s named the “Avenue of the Chinese Musicians” with fans and water until it was officially time to start the ceremony.

Despite the heat and humidity, it was a sweet, loving, awe inspiring ceremony. Officiated by Jake’s sister (TBC)

The Proposal

Jake proposed on New Year’s 2022-23. We threw a New Year’s Eve party that was my idea, so needless to say I wasn’t expecting it to double as an engagement party. Around 30 of our closest friends were packed into our apartment. Right before midnight, Jake didn’t realize how little time he had and was struggling to find a ball drop on a streaming service. Because of this, he didn’t get a chance to say the entire speech he had prepared, so all he said was “It’s been a crazy few years we’ve had, hasn’t it?” For a second, I genuinely thought he was about to break up with me, because what a strange thing to say! But then he got down on one knee and I realized what was happening. He proposed right at midnight, January 1, 2023.

Wedding Vendors:

Planner: Inspire Yours
Ceremony: Allerton Park
Reception: Carmon’s
Caterer: Pan & Cake
DJ: Complete Weddings
Florist: Abbott’s Florist
Dress Store: Ooo La La Brides
Hair: Thrive Salon
Makeup: Thrive Salon
Desserts: Hopscotch & Big Tree Design
Linens: Herriott’s
Favors: Big Tree Design