For Amanda + Lauren’s Grove Redfield Estate wedding, these two had an important detail in mind: creating a Star Wars/Harry Potter theme for their day! I promise that y’all have never seen anything like this!

Their Story

“Lauren and I met on Facebook’s dating app,” Amanda told me. “It was a terrible app, with many bugs. Not too terrible though since I met the love of my life on there. When we matched I decided I should message her. So I brought up one of her favorite books which she noted in her profile, Hatchet, by Gary Paulson. It was also one of my favorite books as a kid. Then, not on purpose, I ghosted Lauren.

We were both at a time where we were tired of the dating process. The swiping, the perpetual first date failures. I was slowly deleting all of the dating apps I had on my phone. Before I deleted the hella buggy Facebook dating app or app extension. I messaged Lauren again, apologizing for my forgetfulness and accidental ghosting. We exchanged phone numbers and then had our first date February 19, 2020. We went to the Global Brew House in Schaumburg, IL. It was the best first date I had ever been on! As soon as we met, we knew this was the start of something amazing. We talked all night, ate tater tots, drank and topped it off with a wonderful goodnight kiss.

Two days later, we had our second date. We went to a hookah lounge and then Chili”s for dinner. We talked all night again and it just felt natural. I knew for sure that night, that I would marry Lauren.

Then The Pandemic Started…

Lockdowns were enacted, toilet paper was flying off the shelves. Lauren and I spent our days and nights together in lockdown. We still went out on adventures, hikes with Lauren’s dog Whit, and beach trips at Lake Michigan. Socially distanced, we saw what we could of the world together. We also began our LEGO and puzzle addiction and started an accumulation of way too many LEGO sets.

Lauren and I always talked about our future. It was never about “if,” but “when.” So it was in April of 2021 that Lauren and I decided to take the next step. We went to Jared and we picked out rings for each other. Then on a family trip to Lake Anna in Virginia, on the dock, we exchanged rings and vowed to marry one another. I have never been happier in my entire life. Lauren is my best friend and I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with her.”

Grove Redfield Estate Wedding

The two got ready together onsite at the venue. While most couples opt to do this separately, seeing the brides help each other get ready was incredibly sweet. They were all smiles as Lauren helped put on Amanda’s bowtie and Amanda helped Lauren with her shoes. Once we were ready to go, we took some portraits around the Grove Redfield Estate and took advantage of the gorgeous scenery. After family portraits, guests began to arrive for the ceremony. The couple was married by one of my FAVORITE officiants, Kari Thirsk (her info is listed among the other vendors below).

The brides kissed as friends + family blew bubbles to celebrate! Once they were married, everyone walked over to the bar for cocktail hour. Guests grabbed drinks as they admired the amazing DIY wedding details in the gazebo. See the super cool wands they made? I even got one (it sits in my office and I look at it every day)! We heard some speeches during dinner followed by Amanda + Lauren’s first dance to “Belong” by X-Ambassadors. I made sure to take the brides out in the garden for a few night portraits before I left!

This is definitely one of those days I keep telling my friends about! Amanda + Lauren really had an unforgettable Grove Redfield Estate Wedding. May the force be with them! :)

Venue: The Grove Redfield Estate / Catering: Northern Fork / Officiant: Kari Thirsk of Wedding Day Chicago