Happy Anniversary- Jan & Leonard

It feels like yesterday…

It was 2011, and I remember my mom calling me to tell me that she was engaged!! Of course the first thing I asked was, how did he propose!! Leonard, being the man that he is, planned a very romantic proposal at the Butterfly Exhibit in Chicago, it was perfect. Now it was time to start planning their winter wedding!

My mom knew that I would be helping, I say helping because this winter wonderland dream wedding was not my inspiration, it was not my vision, it was hers. We sat down to discuss what was important to her and my soon to be new step-dad, and found that it was all about family and the legacy they were going to be leaving as a christian family. This was our focus, and our design concepts were quickly forming with inspiration from the song that my mom wanted to walk down the aisle.

The venue was a hands down, no doubt in their minds, this was to be the place that they exchanged their vows, it was the perfect setting for their winter wedding.

Romantic candlelight, with a winter wonderland design were the two basics, that and we wanted to incorporate Christmas but not the typical red and green. Jan decided on a bright shade of green mixed with silver and a ivory to accent and soften the color palette a bit. It was absolutely breath taking, the way she included ornaments for a winter concept without it feeling like you were at a Christmas wedding and Santa was going to jump out from behind a curtain.

She designed all details of the wedding, and honestly I just helped facilitate, it was her vision, and I helped make it happen. From the gorgeous floral, to the stunning linens, she knew what she wanted and it was all coming together.

One thing Jan wanted to incorporate into the wedding was a Christmas version of Canon D by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra , the video she showed me had a choir of children, this was one of my favorite aspects of the wedding to plan, to find, interview and contract out a children’s choir. The guests were so surprised by this very sweet gift that my mom had in store for them, so angelic having these children sing to her as she processed down the aisle.

The ceremony was beautiful, everything we had hoped for and when it was time for the room flip, well I took my high heels off as matron of honor, and went into planner mode and helped Ravisloe Country Club staff put together all the details that Jan and I had planned for months. It was picture perfect, everything was exactly as she had envisioned it. The family that was represented at this wedding and always in their home, it is something I’m so honored to be apart of, so honored to call her my mother, and Leonard my step-dad. Thank you for your example, and the legacy you are giving to future generations, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Oh, and I have to say that my mom can get down….she danced the night away and was the last one off the dance floor! Such great memories that I will cherish forever!