When I think about the perfect day for a wedding, I think about Emily + Josh’s day. The sun drenched flowers in bloom, the light breeze to keep us cool, fluffy clouds and so so so many smiles, Summer in Chicago is such a gorgeous time of year, and July 15, 2023 was like no other for E + J, their family, friends, and of course, their pups! After having been together since high school, you could truly feel the love in the air all day at the Morton Arboretum.

I first met Emily at the Geneva Bridal Stroll, and we connected right away when she told me her vision for her wedding. Crazy to think that was 2 years ago! What came from a year of planning meetings, floral chats, and coffee talks was a seriously stunning event with touches of their love story in every corner.

Congratulations, Emily + Josh! I had the best time dreaming up this beauty with you!

XO, Noelle

All photos courtesy of Emily Williams Photography.

Walking into the getting ready rooms for E+J’s day was like walking into a dream - everyone was so calm! With only a Maid of Honor (Emily’s sister) and Best Man (Josh’s best friend), we could relax into the top of the day with ease.

Emily and Josh met in high school, and had been together for almost a decade, so to say the anticipation and joy was bursting from all would be an understatement.

Photographer Emily Williams and I have worked together on so many incredible events - it was a joy to have her there to capture the day so beautifully. Especially the STUNNING details that Emily had gathered for the day.

Emily and I met during a bridal stroll event at Love Theory Bridal - a bridal shop in Geneva, Illinois, where I also bought my own wedding dress! Working with Nikki from LTB is a dream, and she helped Emily find her true dream dress, elevated by Emily’s own style as well. Is there anything more bridal than a blue Loeffler Randall shoe?

One major priority for Emily was the florals for the day. Enter the always incredible Willrett Flower Co., who took our vision and created the most beautiful and bountiful floral pieces. This truly was bridal bouquet goals!

Of course, the guys getting ready was chill as always. Josh donned a classic black Men’s Wearhouse suit, and was surrounded by his friends and family before the big first look.

For E +J’s first look, we chose a lovely part of the Naperville Riverwalk - a secluded bridge that was not only a sunny and quiet spot, but dog friendly! As fellow dog lover and mother, Emily and I agreed it wouldn’t truly be a wedding day without Boone + Bailey present, a visit further complete with their custom floral dog collars (we’re obsessed)!

Weddings with small bridal parties are becoming so normalized - we love it! Between transportation and the photo timeline simplification if offers, it's a dream scenario. E+J’s formal portraits were so seamless, and so sweet. Their families were so excited for this day to finally come!

Then it was off to our venue for the day, the Morton Arboretum. We wasted no time getting these two out into the tree filled spaces surrounding the Thornhill Education Center. When searching for a venue, it was super important for there to be tons of nature. As an avid outdoorsman, Josh felt right at home in these woods, and the choice was obvious! These lush portraits are just too perfect.

Peep Emily’s dress with the over skirt removed - we love a two-dresses-in-one moment!

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Part of the Thornhill Education center is the original historical mansion from the property. This part of the venue would serve as the ceremony space, and wow is it stunning. The original stained glass windows served as the perfect ceremony backdrop, flocked by more pastel florals to compliment the deeper hues in the room, but not compete. Just dreamy!

E+J’s ceremony was short and sweet - they were already legally married as they had eloped a few months earlier - but it was still a truly meaningful and touching moment for all in the room. Officiated by Josh’s grandfather, and including a tree planting ceremony, where their moms poured dirt from each of their childhood homes into one pot, it was the perfect honoring of their newly joined lives and families.

Once the ceremony concluded, everyone headed to the front steps and Four Seasons Garden of Thornhill. Just looking at these photos has me reminiscing on how PERFECT the weather was.

Of course, Bailey + Boone continued to pop up throughout the day, here in custom cocktails bearing their names, and gilded cocktail napkins!

Of course, we had to sneak away for some golden hour portraits - and golden they are.

When designing the reception, Emily and I had such a fun time creating the perfect pastel color palate. We wanted to really lean into summer colors and the trending Bridgerton-esque coquetteness of the evening.

Enter robin’s egg blue linens and pink water goblets! Soon as we saw a photo of these coral glasses from Tablescapes, we knew they were the perfect piece to add a little more fun to the tablescape. The ceremony florals were transferred to the head table, creating a full and stunning floral display for Emily, Josh, and their immediate family to sit behind for dinner.

The wax seal meal indicators on the escort cards are a true favorite of mine, along with the custom cake topper on their DeEtta’s Bakery cake - an ode to Josh’s favorite activity, fishing. Every little detail in this design was thought of - something a planner LOVES to see come together!

For a perfect final touch, and a stroke of genius from Emily, this wedding had a signature scent.

Emily + Josh met when Emily was working at a custom candle making shop in Geneva. To add another part of their love story to the day, E+J went back to the shop and created a signature scent for their wedding day, which burned in the reception space. Guests were then treated to a mini version of the candle to take home with them. Scent memories are one of the strongest people have - and now anytime they light their candle they will remember all the joy shared from the day. SUCH a great element of the event!

Entrances were made, speeches given, and dinner enjoyed.

Because we had such a perfect weather day, we got to go through with our Plan A of having the dancefloor exist on the patio overlooking the grounds of the Arboretum. With cafe lights courtesy of Atmosphere Events Group, we all moved outside to take in the special dances of the evening under the starlit skies of mid-July