Nestled within 55 acres of oak forest in Lemont, Illinois, sits Monte Bello estate, the stunning wedding venue Caitlin and Jack chose for their big day. It overlooks the largest wildflower preserve in the state, has a wealth of gorgeous greenery all around, and is blessed with so many breathtaking places to backdrop portraits. An idyllic place for celebrations, and we feel so lucky our couple brought us along to photograph their stunning wedding at Monte Bello Estate.
Caitlin and Jack are a real gem of a couple. It was such a pleasure to be their Chicago wedding photographers, and be able to capture this glorious event they’d put together. Their loved ones were just so welcoming, and we felt part of the family by the end of it!
Today we’re delighted to be sharing the photography captured at this stunning wedding at Monte Bello Estate, along with a little more detail about the couple.
A Long Time Coming
For Caitlin, she’d known Jack was special after spending just a few hours in his company. There was something unique about their connection, and after just a month together, she knew he was the one. They spent 6 long, happy years together, following their initial meeting at a music festival back in 2016. Jack finally popped the big question during their vacation to Mexico and of course Caitlin said, “YES!”.
The Perfect Dress
Our bride looked stunning on the big day, in a gown that looked like it was designed just for her. Chauncey from Maggie Sottero coordinated wonderfully with the very natural, elegant theme for the wedding venue and decor. While its silhouette suited Caitlin just perfectly. “I tried on every style Bri’zan Couture had, as I didn’t know which would be the right fit for me. I chose this dress because it was absolutely stunning & fit my body shape perfectly“, shared Caitlin. The lace detail and the scoop back were absolutely beautiful.
Ceremony
Caitlin and Jack chose to tie the knot outdoors, in the beautiful garden wedding ceremony space at Monte Bello. Underneath a charming wrought iron gazebo, they said their vows, surrounded by so many adoring friends and family. The ceremony space was all arranged in rows of pretty white chairs. Our couple decided to write their own vows, which were so sweet, and funny! We managed to capture a delightful mix of tears and smiles on the faces of their guests during the ceremony.
Celebration
Following the ceremony, cocktail hour and portraits took place outside. The group made their way into the delightfully appointed reception room, where they were greeted with some really elegant, and fun decor. The centerpieces in particular from Avant Gardenia were a statement of towering green bushes dotted with crisp white flowers. Just one of the gorgeous displays that proved very popular with Caitlin and Jack’s guests. “The flowers were stunning & my wedding guests are still raving about how beautiful the arrangements were a month after“, said Caitlin.
Advice from our Bride
It’s always useful to hear wedding advice from someone besides Brides.com. And actually listen to what real brides experience.
After the big day, Caitlin shared words of wisdom with us, and we thought we’d share them with you.
“Try not to stress out too much, especially about the little things. Focus on having a fun time & being with all your loved ones, who are there to celebrate your love – that’s what’s most important. I certainly felt anxious on the day, in particular when I was about to walk down the aisle. All eyes were on me, and I was worried about tripping or falling. But, after a few deep breaths, it was my turn to walk, and I just focused eye contact with my now husband, and the anxiety slipped away.“
We Would Love to be Your Chicago Wedding Photographer
It would be an honor to become a part of your wedding team, and create that timeless keepsake of your big day you’ll love forever. Myself and my team of Chicago wedding photographers at videographers at Lauren Ashley Studios will go above and beyond to capture the atmosphere of your special occasion, and share it with passion and authenticity.
We welcome you to browse our portfolio of wedding photography, videography and if you would like any information about our investments please click here. If you’re looking for a wedding photographer in Chicago, or beyond, and you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
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