Margaret and Bill’s Intentional Backyard Celebration| Chicago, IL

real wedding
Written By Haylie Scherr

Some weddings feel like grand productions, and others feel like coming home. Margaret and Bill’s backyard wedding was definitely the latter. The day had sunlight spilling across soft green grass, laughter drifting through an intimate backyard, and the joy of two families becoming one.

Margaret and Bill began their wedding celebration as a family—with their children by their side, promising forever during a tender courthouse ceremony. Then, under leafy branches and shimmering strands of lights, Margaret and Bill opened their home for a dinner that felt like the best kind of family reunion.

Tables were set throughout the garden, dressed in simple linen and delicate florals, with the golden glow of candlelight illuminating each smiling face. There wasn’t a hint of pretension—just the easy kind of elegance that happens when people are gathered with intention, sharing space with those who mean the most. It was cozy, joyful, and touched with a simple elegance that made you want to linger in the moment just a little longer.

For couples dreaming of a day where you can be truly present, able to lock eyes with every guest and savor every embrace, let this serve as inspiration: your celebration can be deeply personal, beautiful, and overflowing with love.

Intentional Choices for Lasting Memories

Our team believes an intentional wedding isn’t defined by its size, but by the depth of its connection. From our first conversation, Margaret’s vision was clear: she wanted a day where she could be fully present with the people she loves most.

By making intentional choices—starting with the courthouse ceremony with their children, to curating an intimate guest list of just over 30 people—they created a day that truly reflected their warm, joyful spirits. Each element served a purpose: to draw loved ones closer and ensure genuine time together.

The day felt less like a formal event and more like an unforgettable dinner party. So, there was no pressure to keep to a rigid timeline—just the natural flow of stories, clinking glasses, and hugs that lasted a bit longer than usual. Toasts turned into storytelling, with gentle tears blending into laughter, and Margaret and Bill right in the middle of it all, absorbing every moment.

An Atmosphere Designed for Connection

Because the day was intentionally intimate, Margaret and Bill could invest in the details that really mattered. Each choice—big and small—was about making space for genuine connection. You could sense the thought behind each decision, every detail whispering, “You matter to us.”

The subtle tablescapes, delicate florals, and strands of lights transformed their home. The energy was calm, the conversations were meaningful, and every detail was chosen with purpose.

This is the beauty of an intentional approach—when you focus on what truly matters, the day unfolds with a sense of ease and authenticity that cannot be manufactured.




Celebrating with Every Sense

The evening was a feast in every sense of the word. The savory scent of chef-prepared dishes danced on the breeze, setting the stage for a meal that was both comforting and elevated.

True Cuisine crafted a menu that was both elevated and heartfelt, delighting every guest. The celebration began with signature kid-friendly mocktails—bright mango mules and refreshing strawberry basil coolers—that added a joyful twist to cocktail hour. Passed trays featured bacon-wrapped dates, perfectly seared ahi tuna, inventive vegan wellington, and brie gougères filled with fig marsala, each bite starting lively conversation and happy sighs.

Guests were then treated to a plated harvest salad, followed by entrées of tender lemon chicken breast and the silkiest miso black cod. And then, the dessert bar: it was nothing short of enchanting. There were fresh fruit cheesecake tarts, playful turtle cheesecake lollipops, and homey mason jar cobblers. Laughter and the clink of glasses filled the air as everyone indulged beneath the gentle glow of string lights.

The music was just as thoughtful and dynamic. Live melodies from Yazz Events drifted through the air during cocktail hour. Then they transitioned into a five-piece ensemble for the reception, complete with piano, guitar, bass, and two vocalists, that invited everyone to sway, sing along, and spin under the open sky.

And the florals, where do we even begin? Our all-time favorite florist, Cou Cou Studio, absolutely knocked it out of the park. If you want florals that are art, that move, breathe, and surprise you — you need to book Tessa. Her creations are anything but expected, and for Margaret and Bill, she brought the most stunning displays to life. Full of texture, color, and just the right amount of whimsy, her work was the perfect finishing touch to an already breathtaking day.

Margaret and Bill’s celebration is the perfect example of how an intentional wedding day allows you to focus on what truly matters. When your priority is spending time with your people, every other decision falls into place.

Vendor Team

This unforgettable day was made possible by a team of incredible professionals:

Haylie Scherr
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