When I hear “garden party,” I think of Tess and Adam’s outdoor summer Elawa Farm wedding. Whimsical pastels, ribbons and bows, an al fresco dinner under an elegant canopy, and the sweetest high school sweethearts made this day feel romantic from start to finish.
And if I told you it all took place on a farm just north of Chicago, tucked along the Lake Michigan shoreline, you’d probably envision boots, early-2000s burlap decor, and rustic wooden signs at every turn. But this was not that.
Elawa Farm in Lake Forest, Illinois is a true farm in every sense of the word, but the grounds carry an air of natural elegance and romance. The Courtyard and West Lawn feature landscaped hedges and European-style stone statues that give way to sprawling farmland. And the red-brick historic home (co-designed with renowned Chicago architect David Adler in 1917) pairs well with the garden: “In 1918, the Armours engaged landscape architect Ralph Rodney Root to design a plan for their grounds. Root was known for his formal approach, in contrast to the period’s prevailing trend toward prairie style, which made him a perfect fit to work alongside Elawa’s classical buildings” (Elawa Farm History).
Today, the Elawa Farm Foundation aims to restore the garden to its historic glory, providing subtly landscaped acreage that’s perfect for a garden-style wedding and tented reception. While the garden and its manicured pathways reflect sophistication and elegance, the farm still showcases a renovated rustic barn for letting loose on the dance floor after “I do’s” and dinner. Glowing with warm string lights, it’s the perfect place for a full-scale celebration.
Why Elawa Farm Works So Beautifully for an Outdoor Summer Wedding
Elawa Farm has a way of making a wedding feel both elevated and grounded. The balance of wild and natural beauty with European style shaped Tess and Adam’s big day. Their design shimmered with soft summer color, playful ribbons, pastel florals, and garden-party patterns and details. The decor worked so well with the built-in aesthetic, and the farm’s stone, brick, greenery, and open lawn gave every detail room to breathe.
As a photographer, I loved how many visual layers Elawa Farm offered. Film and digital both made sense here. Film captured the softness and nostalgia of the summer light, pastel palette, and organic setting. Digital helped preserve the fast-moving, joy-filled moments: family reactions, dance-floor energy, and the spontaneous laughter that popped up throughout the day.
A Full-Circle Love Story at Elawa Farm
As high school sweethearts, Tess and Adam’s story already had years of history behind it, yet both of them still teared up when they saw each other across the aisle. Moments like that always stop me for a second. Long love stories often still feel brand-new, tinged with giddiness, when the ceremony begins.
Photographing their wedding also felt personal because I captured their proposal the year before. Following a couple from “yes” to “I do” creates such a full-circle experience. By the time the wedding day arrived, I already knew how much tenderness and joy these two bring into a frame.
The morning started with rain, which every couple hopes to avoid but every wedding pro quietly recognizes as good luck. Then the skies shifted, the sun came out, and the day turned out to be beautiful—albeit a little toasty. (The venue was ready with refreshing glasses of ice water and lemonade as guests made their way to their seats.) Summer weddings in Illinois can bring almost every weather mood in one day, but Tess and Adam handled it with so much ease.
Getting Ready in a Space That Sets the Tone
Before heading to Elawa Farm, Tess got ready at her mom’s cool, artsy friend’s house. The space had tall windows, natural light, floral walls, patterned wallpaper, and so much personality. Those rooms created a beautiful backdrop for photos with her bridal party and helped set the tone for the day before anyone stepped onto the farm.
Couples planning an Elawa Farm wedding, or any wedding, should consider their getting-ready space. A bright room with clean natural light can change the feel of the morning. Pattern, texture, art, and meaningful surroundings also make those early photos feel more connected to the day rather than separate from it.
However, you don’t need a chic hotel suite for pretty getting-ready photos. Choose a space that feels calm, has good light, and gives you and your group room to move. Tess’s morning proved how much personality a thoughtful location can bring. (Plus their ruffled floral PJs looked so cute!)
Garden Party Details with Pastels, Ribbons, and Bows
Tess and Adam’s wedding design fit Elawa Farm beautifully because it embraced softness without feeling too intricate or delicate.
For a summer Elawa Farm wedding, lean into details that move with the setting: airy linens and lace (I love the eyelet table runners), seasonal flowers, soft color, candlelight, ribbon accents (check out their gorgeous cake!), and long tables that invite conversation. The venue rewards customized design choices that feel intentional rather than overdone.
A Cocktail Hour Surprise from Sandhill Cranes
Every wedding has one memory nobody could have planned. Tess and Adam’s came during cocktail hour when massive migrating sandhill cranes crashed the party with their own (very loud!) soundtrack. These birds were about three to four feet tall and fully committed to making their presence known.
The moment was funny, unexpected, and so fitting for a wedding at a historic farm surrounded by natural land. Guests laughed, the atmosphere loosened a little more, and the day gained a story everyone would remember.
Outdoor weddings always invite a little spontaneity. A breeze might catch a veil, rain might clear into golden light, or migrating birds might join cocktail hour for unexpected entertainment. Those unscripted moments often become some of the most memorable parts of the day.
From Elegant Garden Dinner to Barn Dance Floor
After “I do’s,” sunset toasts, and dinner, the celebration moved into the renovated barn. Warm string lights gave the space a festive glow, and the barn created the perfect shift in energy. The day began with garden romance and ended with everyone letting loose on the dance floor.
That versatility makes an Elawa Farm wedding extra unique. Couples can host an elegant outdoor ceremony, design a refined tented dinner, and still end the night in a space that feels relaxed and fun. The venue supports both elegance and celebration without forcing one mood all day.
Why Couples Should Consider an Elawa Farm Wedding Near Chicago
For couples who want an outdoor summer wedding near Chicago, Elawa Farm offers a one-of-a-kind experience. The location feels removed from the city without requiring a destination wedding. Lake Forest brings North Shore charm, while the farm’s gardens, historic buildings, and barn create a wedding experience with depth.
Every wedding also supports the Elawa Farm Foundation’s nonprofit mission to steward the historic farm and broaden access to education, nutritious food, and the local food system. And that mission adds extra meaning to an already beautiful place.
Tess and Adam’s wedding captured everything I loved about photographing at Elawa Farm for the first time: romantic gardens, personal details, emotional ceremony moments, unexpected humor, summer light, and a dance floor that glowed long after sunset. Their day felt like a garden party, a homecoming, and a celebration years in the making.
For couples dreaming of a wedding that feels elegant, natural, and full of life, an Elawa Farm wedding deserves a place at the top of the list. After a day like this, I can’t wait to come back!
Elawa Farm Wedding Vendor List
Planner: @hollivolkert_events / @thecreativeplanners
Venue: @elawafarm
Florist: @amycrumdesigns
DJ: @brentrolland
Hair & Makeup: @pinmeupchicago
Photography: @danielleheinsonphoto
