Color Idea

What do you think? You like? Here's a bigger version: http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k304/seekexposure/colors.jpg

We LOVE Cantigny!

I am so excited. Tom and I went out to see Cantigny Park this weekend. Despite the fact that it was frigid outside, I am absolutely positive that this is the place for our wedding. Because of 355 it's only 30 minutes away. I've highlighted this because I personally thought Wheaton was a heck of a lot further than that.

The venue is being built now. It's an atrium-style room connected to an existing Visitor's Center. When it's finished it will look like this:

The atrium is all windows on three sides and is being built in the middle of the formal gardens. There's an outdoor ceremony site right next to it and a huge fountain behind it. Here's a map of the grounds. Click on the following link if you want to see it.

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k304/seekexposure/CantignyMapNotes.jpg


This place is perfect. I mean, really really perfect. I think I'm going to put the deposit on it to reserve the date. As long as I cancel before March of 2009, my deposit's fully refundable. I'm working really hard to figure out how to pay for everything. I hope I can pull it off! I won't really know until next January. Unless, of course, we win the lottery...

Here's more pictures from Cantigny:

Cantigny Park

Could it be that I've found the perfect place? An affordable, beautiful combination of mansion, gardens, and inexpensive golf course? Has anyone ever been here before for a wedding or otherwise? It's an hour away, but I LOVE it based on the pictures!

Here's what it is (yes I copied this from a website):

Historical museums and lovely outdoor spaces come together at Cantigny Park, a 500 acre complex built on the estate of Robert McCormick. The main house is now the Robert R. McCormick Museum, containing antiques from the family's collection, and the two other museums are the First Division Museum, which speaks to the history of the 1st Infantry Division during World War I, and the Freedom Museum. A number of gardens and a greenhouse bring carefully-designed color to the outdoor portion of the park, which has picnic tables, walking paths and a large golf course. The complex is in the southwestern portion of Wheaton, beside the Bellau Woods Forest Preserve, and hosts a variety of annual events including a car show in the fall and a summer concert series.

Here's some pictures. Let me know what you think!

Jacob Henry Mansion Pictures

Jacob Henry Mansion Tour

My mom, Tom, and I went to the Jacob Henry Mansion on the 17th. It was nice. For the most part, I liked it. But I feel like we could find something I'd like better. The mansion was really awesome. But it was really creepy too. I felt like I was going to see a ghost or something. The inside of the ballroom is very nice and the church is very beautiful.

JACOB HENRY MANSION PROS:

• We can get married in a church and still have the ceremony and reception at the same location.
• The price is very reasonable.
• It's a unique, historic location.
• Everyone I met on the staff were family members of the current owner. They were also very nice.

JACOB HENRY MANSION CONS:

• The surrounding neighborhood is not well maintained.
• For a reception in the mansion, all of your guests are scattered throughout different rooms. Some rooms only have one table in them. For us, that's not an option.
• The only way the bridal party and guests have access to the mansion is if the reception is being held inside instead of in the ballroom. So basically, there's no point in getting married "at a mansion" when noone can go inside.

Jacob Henry Mansion

Hi again. Please don't throw up, but I have one more place I'd like your opinions on. This is the Jacob Henry mansion in Joliet. It's significantly cheaper than the the Patrick Haley mansion, which is already booked for September 2009 (Can you believe that crap?), and it's about the same as both the zoo and the Rialto. Speaking of the Rialto, my mom, my brother, and I took a ride out there yesterday. We couldn't go in but we checked out the parking and smoking situation. I'm not sure what I think. I have to actually go in and stuff.

So, here's the church which is on the same grounds as the mansion:

"As it was at the turn-of-the-century, the 2,000-pipe organ can accompany your procession down the aisle, and your first walk into the world as husband and wife.
Glorious cathedral ceilings peak to a common center, and mahogany woodwork extends skyward. Listed on the Illinois Historic Registry, the Old Central Church’s magnificent architecture and beautiful design make it a worthy rival to any cathedral, though it maintains a non-denominational status."

Here's the mansion itself. There's a suite in here where the bridal party gets ready and I think maybe you can do the cocktail hour or something in here too.

"The Jacob Henry Mansion won the Architecture Award at the American Centennial Celebration in Philadelphia in 1876, and is claimed to be the largest and best example of Renaissance Revival architecture still standing in the state of Illinois. Today the lovely and fully decorated mansion, a National Historic Landmark, is well known for its beauty, Old Victorian charm and furnishings, as well as its delicious meals and entertainment, making the Jacob Henry Mansion Estate the perfect place for your next special occasion."

And here's the ballroom where the reception would be...

"The Ballroom comes complete with a full stage, large dance floor, and a unique pub setting with an European fireplace that adds to any photo opportunity for your special occasion or event. A short walk from our non-denominational chapel, in the Old Central Church, the Ballroom is encompassed by a full promonade walkway making it perfect for outdoor cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, or romantic strolls as the evening draws to a close. Whatever the occasion, the Victorian Ballroom is a beautiful compliment to any social affair."

Rialto Square Theater

My mom suggested that I look at the Rialto because the rental fees are reasonable and because you bring in a caterer - which can save you a lot of money. You can have both the ceremony and the reception here. You can even get married on the stage if you want! Have any of you ever been here before? Please take a look and tell me what you think. Personally, I think it's amazing. http://www.rialtosquare.com/weddings_main.htm