Wilder Mansion Wedding

“No I won’t be afraid, Just as long as you stand, Stand by me.” Ben E. King, “Stand By Me”

The date: September 17, 2022. The location: Wilder Mansion. The event: Alec and Kathryn starting the next chapter of their lives together as husband and wife.

The scenario couldn’t have lined up any better. First, having grown up in Elmhurst, and attending Elmhurst College, Alec and Kathryn felt it appropriate to incorporate their roots into their wedding. Wilder Mansion was the perfect way to tie their past, present, and future. Throw in a gorgeous day—with only a slight tease of rain for a few minutes—and you would have to search hard to find a more prefect day for these two.

While Kathryn was getting ready, and my assistant Lynzi captured the anticipation, I took Alec and his groomsmen outside to get them to do their best “GoodFellas” impressions each buy trying to out-“Forget about it” the other(s). The laughs were plenty. The spirits were high. Giddy would be the best way to describe the ensuing fun.

Soon after, it was time for their first look. While I mercilessly teased Alec about how he couldn’t yet turn around to see his beautiful bride, Kathryn glided down the pathway just South of Wilder, coming up his back. A moment of anticipation, and then Alec turned…and produced one of the most warm, caring, tender, and ecstatic smiles ever seen on a groom. If beaming could be measured by any tool, it would have broken based on Alec’s reaction. And Kathryn? She simultaneously out-beamed and matched his reaction, admiring the handsomeness of her soon-to-be husband. This was a cherishable moment if ever there was one.

Before we headed over to get the ceremony started, we snagged family photos with Alec and Kathyrn’s VIPs. The giddiness continued as jokes were cracked, and magnificent expressions were etched onto images of family love. And while we would have loved for the moments to last, it was soon time to get Alec and Kathryn to the ceremony to exchange vows.

Overcast skies provided the backdrop as Alec and Kathryn’s inner circle witnessed them promise themselves to each other alone under a big, beautiful tent. A trio of musicians provided both processional and recessional music. Maid-of-Honor Elizabeth and Best Man Ehren provided readings. Alec and Kathryn provided the tenderness…and the vows, proclaiming “I Do,” against a late Summer backdrop.

The ceremony wrapped, we made haste to try and get bridal party pictures on the Mansion grounds before potential rain rolled through. But Alec and Kathryn had someone looking out for them, as the likely rain wound up as only a few light drops. Taking advantage of the blessing, Alec and Kathryn and their bridal party made it a cakewalk to get stellar images. It helped that Alec and Kathyrn were still full-on beaming over each other, and their bridal party were full of energy and antics.

As the bridal party joined everyone else inside the prepare for the reception, we took Alec and Kathryn across the Mansion grounds, and over to an Elmhurst College entrance, to take advantage of some of the best scenery one could hope for, for their wedding pictures. The lush greenery and colorful flowers throughout the grounds allowed for jaw-dropping images to be captured. They were the icing on a an already-tasty cake built on the foundation of Alec and Kathryn’s affection they were unashamedly showing. The only drawback was that we did have to stop to eventually get the newlyweds inside for their reception.

A change of pace from the traditional “one-room” reception, Alec and Kathryn’s was held in various rooms throughout the Mansion. It started with introductions and speeches near the staircase. It continued with dinner set up in multiple rooms in the mansion. It provided more, allowing a separate room for dancing, and a small “getaway” room with a fireplace and wedding/family memorabilia.

Open dancing started with Alec and Kathryn performing a choreographed dance routine, including Alec lifting Kathryn in air and spinning her around, all while being cheered on by their wedding attendees. Soon after, an open dance floor became filled with people dancing and singing to song from the past five decades. (To say Gary from Sounds Abound Entertainment crushed it would be an understatement.)

About midway through the reception, Alec and Kathryn slipped out get a few images at night by the Mansion’s gorgeous fountain. These two were still beaming, the lack of sun not anywhere close to being able to hide how much they care for each other.

The remainder of the evening was a mixture of dancing, karaoke (sans the microphones), and excitement. Multiple times, either Alec or Kathryn were lifted in the air by multiple friends and family. People were giving their best cheesy performances to songs that have become part of the cultural zeitgeist. And the love continued to shine—Alec and Kathryn always near each other, always beaming, reveling in the day they had just lived, and the days to come as husband and wife.

“Whenever you’re in trouble you can stand by me, Stand by me” — Ben E. King, “Stand By Me”