Lake Ellyn Boathouse Wedding

If ever a Fall vibe wedding took place, it was Frank and Erica’s near-perfect October day, when they tied the knot at the Lake Ellyn Boathouse in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.

A Calm Start at Home

The day started in the early afternoon at the home Erica shares with Frank in Villa Park, which happens to be where I live as well. Her dress featured subtle blue and green accents, a personal touch that reflected she and Frank’s favorite colors. Erica’s mom and sister were there, helping with final touches and sharing those first quiet moments of the day. We took a few portraits together before heading over to the Boathouse, easing into the celebration in a space that already felt like them.

A Civil Ceremony by the Lake

The Lake Ellyn Boathouse set the stage for a intimate wedding ceremony, and it could not have been more fitting. With the lake stretching out behind them and the trees just starting to peak with Fall color, Frank and Erica exchanged vows in front of about twenty of their closest family members, with a family friend officiating. The setting did most of the talking. Calm water, warm light, and comfortable mid-October temperatures made everything feel easy and unforced.

Family Photos and a Quiet Walk Together

After the ceremony, we stayed close by for family photos, leaning into the scenery and the season. The lake reflected the trees, the light stayed soft, and everything felt unhurried. Soon after, guests began to arrive for an outdoor cocktail hour, and before the energy shifted into hosting and celebrating, Frank and Erica slipped away with me for a short walk around the Boathouse grounds for some pictures of the newlyweds.

Those few minutes alone together mattered. We wandered, talked, and took advantage of the setting while everything was still calm. And the pictures we captured of Erica and Frank? Just the two of them taking in what they had just promised to one another. Intimate. Precious. Unforgettable.

Cocktail Hour by the Water

As cocktail hour unfolded outside along the lake, I stepped into my favorite role of the day. A quiet observer. Laughter echoed through the space, stories were shared, and smiles kept circling back as people reconnected. I focused on capturing those candid interactions as they happened, the quick laughs, side conversations, and small reactions happening all around.

An Evening of Meaningful Moments

The reception began around six o’clock with the introduction of Frank and Erica. From there, the evening moved naturally into the moments that mattered most to them. They went right into cake cutting, shared a brief and heartfelt thank-you together, and then made their way to the floor for their first dance.

After a cake cutting and a brief, heartfelt thank-you speech shared together, “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole filled the room, and the couple eased into their first dance. It was classic, understated, and perfectly them.

One of the most moving moments of the evening came during the father-daughter dance. It was quiet, emotional, and deeply personal. To say it held the entire room still would be an understatement to just how impactful it was.

As the evening continued, the rest of the reception unfolded with people dancing, catching up, and swapping stories, with a few guests stepping outside by the lake to share cigars and conversation.

A Day That Felt Like Them

Frank and Erica’s wedding was not about grand gestures or elaborate timelines. It was about intention. About choosing a place that felt right, keeping the circle small, and letting the day unfold naturally. A Fall afternoon by the lake, surrounded by the people who mattered most, was exactly the way they wanted to begin their marriage, and it was an absolute joy to document every meaningful piece of it.