I love a good rainstorm. There’s nothing like the sound of a good, old-fashioned Midwestern thunderstorm. Unless it’s 5:30 in the morning on the day of an outdoor morning wedding.
Redfield Estate at The Grove
The bride, the groom, and I had been planning for months to have the ceremony and the reception outdoors at the lovely Redfield Estate at The Grove in Glenview. Naturally, we had a rain plan, but not one of us wanted to implement it. We all arrived before 8:00 in the morning and had to decide whether to move indoors or not. By then, the weather seemed to be clearing, but the lawn was very soggy.
We walked about to see whether we could do anything outdoors. Fortunately, the area around the gazebo where they wanted to have the ceremony was dry enough. After about a half an hour, I made an executive decision: We would have the ceremony outdoors but would serve lunch indoors, not on the damp and soggy lawn. The florist, the string quartet, and the sound rental company could all begin to set up.
Despite the late start and the uncertainties of the weather, this turned out to be a wonderful wedding. The bride and groom wanted a casual occasion where their friends and families could enjoy themselves. I think they succeeded amazingly well. The ceremony was personal and unique. It was bilingual to honor the groom’s French heritage and family. And it was followed by a receiving line and coffee and pastry.
The flowers, by Lynn Fosbender at Pollen, were perfectly French country: Sunflowers, lavender, a few lilies, etc. (I’ll have photos in a few weeks and you can judge for yourself.)
Then there was a lunch buffet, catered by Dave’s Specialty Foods, followed by dancing. Meanwhile, the bridal party went to decorate the newlyweds’ getaway car. They went all out, with streamers, cans, writing on the windows–and filling the car entirely with balloons.
This was a very personal occasion and a very fun one–just like the people who got married.
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