Charlotte & Maxwell’s Garden-Party Wedding at Chicago Botanic Garden
On a beautiful summer day filled with florals and bright colors, Charlotte and Maxwell hosted a garden-party-style wedding at the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Charlotte and Maxwell had moved in together at the start of the COVID lockdown, having met only three months prior. They spent the remainder of the lockdown completing hundreds of crossword puzzles together, falling in love and eventually getting engaged.
To start the day, Charlotte and Maxwell got ready with their wedding party at the quaint Deer Path Inn. Once at their venue, the Chicago Botanic Garden, they shared an emotional first look amidst the lush greenery and fresh blooms. In the intimate moments leading up to their ceremony, the couple explored the gardens together for portraits and group photos with their wedding party.
The ceremony took place at Chicago Botanic Garden’s Rose Terrace. White chairs and lush green trees lined either side of the center aisle, leading to a flower-adorned chuppah. Personal family details were sprinkled throughout. Because Charlotte and Maxwell love New York Times crosswords and wanted to honor their first months together, they include a custom crossword on the back of their wedding programs.
The chuppah was decorated with blue, purple, pink and yellow flowers, along with beautiful needlepoint crafted by Maxwell’s cousin. Maxwell wore his great-grandfather’s kippah, and the couple’s parents wrapped them in Charlotte’s grandfather’s tallis (prayer shawl) under the chuppah. Incorporating these meaningful heirlooms into the ceremony made it all the more special. As the couple exited the ceremony, their happiness radiated across their faces.
Following the ceremony, guests moved to the English Walled Garden for the garden-party cocktail hour. From the custom bar cart, affectionately named “Zelda’s Bar” after the couple’s beloved dog, to the charming seating areas with umbrellas, no detail went unnoticed. Guests enjoyed mingling in the summer sun before transitioning to McGinley Pavilion for the reception.
The couple’s reception at McGinley Pavilion was filled with intriguing colors and textures. Tables were adorned with rich floral arrangements, and floral-printed tablecloths tied the space together. After heartfelt toasts, Charlotte and Maxwell cut their lovely five-tier wedding cake, complete with a miniature figurine of Zelda.
Under the glow of romantic string lights, Charlotte, Maxwell and their guests danced the night away, twirling into their happily ever after.
Vendors
PHOTOGRAPHER Christy Tyler Photography
CEREMONY VENUE Rose Terrace at Chicago Botanic Garden
RECEPTION VENUE McGinley Pavilion at Chicago Botanic Garden
PLANNER Everlie & Co.
FLORAL & DECOR HMR Designs
HAIR & MAKEUP Bianca Sansosti Artistry
BRIDE’S GOWN Mira Zwillinger from Ultimate Bride
GROOM’S FORMALWEAR Peter Millar
STATIONERY Steracle Press
CAKE Flourish Cake Design
CATERING Culinary Landscape at Chicago Botanic Garden
RENTALS Nüage Designs
LIGHTING Frost Chicago
ENTERTAINMENT BeatMix Music
ACCOMMODATIONS Deer Path Inn
