Pete Benson & Alison Brumbaugh
Brumbaugh Family Home, Inverness, IL
August 26, 2006
Text: Merry Mayer
Photography: Wedding Day Art
Who knew stopping for directions could change your life? Alison had recently transferred colleges and was returning from her new college's orientation on the northwest side when she got lost.
"I decided to pull into a gas station to ask for directions. I was about to get out of the car to ask the gas station attendant for directions when I noticed a very handsome guy dressed in a business suit filling up his gas tank," remembers Alison.
"I drove up to his car and asked him if he knew how to get on the expressway. He quickly pointed in one direction and went back to filling up his tank. I told him that he was wrong because I had just come from that direction. He looked back over at me, smiled, and proceeded to pull out a map. After about 10 minutes of small talk he gave me his business card and told me that he would love to take me out sometime," she says.
From this simple beginning, Pete and Alison fell in love and decided to get married in late December of 2005. "I was the first one of any of my friends to get married. I had no idea how much detail was involved—especially for our estimated guest count of 350," says Alison.
To help the planning along, Alison hired Christine and Brooke from Tying the Knot Wedding Consultants. "If not for their expertise, the planning process would have been frustrating and time consuming. Instead, they were now the ones doing the homework. We met with them regularly and I spoke with them on the phone almost on a daily basis working out every detail of the wedding," says Alison.
Of course, some of the fun in any wedding is the unexpected. The ceremony, which took place at Lutheran Church of the Atonement in Barrington, included three flower girls and one ring bearer, Pete's nephew, Tyler, who was just two. "Tyler didn't make it down the aisle at the rehearsal so we were a little nervous that he wouldn't make it down for the big day. Luckily, he walked down with confidence and proceeded to throw the pillow with all his might at the altar!" says Alison.
As for the reception, Alison and Pete decided on the Brumbaugh family home where Alison grew up.
The evening began with a relaxing cocktail hour throughout the home and outside along the pool. Setting the mood was the Eden Orchestra's string quartet which played on the balcony overlooking the main living room.
For dinner and dancing, guests were directed through a tented pathway to a main tent out back. The space was made intimate with twinkle lights on the tent ceiling, fabric poles with pink uplighting, and pinspotted lights focused on table centerpieces.
"Of course, I was aware that our wedding day was going to be somewhat stressful and overwhelming. However, considering the reception was at the house that I grew up in; there was definitely a sense of relief and comfort with the familiarity of our surroundings," adds Alison.
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CEREMONY SITE
Lutheran Church of the Atonement, Barrington, IL
RECEPTION SITE
Brumbaugh Family Home, Inverness, IL
PHOTOGRAPHY
Wedding Day Art
VIDEOGRAPHY
RAC Visual
OFFICIANT
Pastor Jane Kunnzie-Brunner
WEDDING CONSULTANT
Christine Stone and Brooke Bandik of Tying the Knot, Hinsdale, IL
BRIDE’S GOWN
Vanessa’s Modern Bride, Arlington Heights, IL 847-818-0480
VEIL
Vanessa’s Modern Bride, Arlington Heights, IL 847-818-0480
JEWELRY
Vanessa’s Modern Bride, Arlington Heights, IL 847-818-0480
SHOES
James Ciccotti, Chicago, IL 773-525-4280
HAIR
Salon 1800, Chicago, IL 773-929-6010
MAKEUP
Mary Harris 630-822-0037
BRIDESMAID’S DRESSES
Vanessa’s Modern Bride, Arlington Heights, IL 847-818-0480
FORMALWEAR
After Hours Formalwear
INVITATIONS
Encore from Tying the Knot
FLOWERS
Phillip’s Flowers
MENU/CATERING
Bob Schneeberger- Hospitality Services Group, Naperville, IL 630-854-1600
MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT
The Eden Orchestra
WEDDING CAKE
Toni Marie’s Sweets and Savories
FAVORS
POP Champagne
TRANSPORTATION
DeJaVu Limousine
GUEST ACCOMMODATIONS
Hilton Garden Inn, Hoffman Estates, IL
HONEYMOON
Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea, Maui, Hawaii
TENT/LIGHTING
Partytime Productions
RENTALS
Tablescapes
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