Regencycore Wedding at The Armour House Mansion & Gardens in Lake Forest, Illinois
If you’ve been following along for a while, you might remember Kristina and Matt’s engagement session at the breathtaking Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. As we strolled across the landscaped grounds together, it was clear their love story would be anything but ordinary—elegant, intentional, and layered with meaning. So when they told me they were planning a regencycore wedding at The Armour House Mansion & Gardens, I knew it would be unforgettable.
And it truly was.
A Historic Mansion Wedding at Lake Forest Academy
Sprawling across the grounds of Lake Forest Academy in Lake Forest, Illinois, The Armour House is one of my favorite wedding venues to photograph. If Bridgerton balls make your heart flutter, this venue needs to be at the very top of your list.
The estate feels like stepping into another era—ornate architecture, sweeping staircases, manicured gardens, and refined interiors that instantly elevate every detail.
As The Wedding Spot beautifully puts it:
“The Armour House combines the old world charm with the excitement of what is vogue, the elegance of art with the grandeur of nature. We can accommodate up to 200–225 guests for an indoor wedding reception.”
Not only is it a historic landmark, but it’s also a private estate—meaning you get the entire mansion and gardens to yourselves. No onlookers. No distractions. Just your people gathered in a setting that feels both grand and intimate.
With wedding planning services and additional perks such as bride and groom dressing suites, in-house catering, tables, linens, glassware, a champagne toast, votive candles, security, parking, and full setup and cleanup included, it offers luxury without logistical stress.
A Multicultural Wedding Tea Ceremony Filled with Joy
Kristina and Matt’s celebration began the day before the wedding with a deeply meaningful tea ceremony honoring their newly joined families and cultural heritage.
But first — the games.
In keeping with tradition, Matt had to complete playful challenges before earning the right to see his bride. I couldn’t stop laughing as he hopped around in a pink shark costume, fully committing to the moment. The joy in the room was contagious.
After the laughter came reverence. Matt changed into a traditional Tang jacket, and Kristina slipped into a stunning qipao, symbolizing luck and prosperity. Together, they served tea to their parents and elders as a gesture of honor and gratitude.
Tea ceremonies are always deeply moving to witness. They create space to pause, reflect, and intentionally thank the people who shaped your story long before the wedding day arrives.
Garden Ceremony with Regencycore-Inspired Florals
The wedding day arrived with one unexpected guest: cicadas. A massive influx, in fact. If you look closely at one of the detail photographs, you’ll spot a tiny cicada perched right on their invitation suite. Perhaps it was good luck? (I’m choosing to believe so.)
Kristina and Matt got ready in their respective dressing areas inside the mansion before meeting for a tearful first look in the blooming estate gardens. They exchanged private vows surrounded by pastel florals in soft blues, blush tones, and buttery creams.
The bride walked down a grassy aisle lined with flower beds for a romantic outdoor ceremony framed by lush greenery and timeless architecture. The regencycore aesthetic—modern vintage elegance with layered florals of every shape and size—paired effortlessly with the estate’s historic façade and sculpted gardens.
It felt cinematic in the best way.
Editorial Wedding Portraits at The Armour House Mansion
Kristina and Matt were especially excited about portraits — and I loved that for them.
Some couples prefer a candid, documentary-style approach. Others — like Kristina and Matt — gravitate toward more posed imagery. My specialty is blending both: guiding you into flattering, natural poses while capturing authentic interaction and emotion.
Because The Armour House offers such architectural variety — grand staircases, ornate interiors, blooming gardens — we carved out time for a wide range of portraits throughout the estate. I photographed their day using both film and digital formats, preserving poignant softness alongside crisp, modern detail.
The result was a gallery that feels romantic, refined, and heirloom-worthy.
Elegant Indoor Reception at The Armour House in Lake Forest
Following cocktail hour in the gardens, guests moved inside for dinner and toasts. The mansion can accommodate 200–225 guests indoors, and the reception spaces feel regal yet intimate.
With all food and beverage handled in-house through their full kitchen facilities, the dining experience was seamless and elevated. The catering was incredible, the cake was stunning, and every detail felt thoughtfully curated.
When it was time for their first dance, Kristina and Matt absolutely stunned the room. With choreography by Windy City Wedding Dance, their routine felt worthy of Dancing with the Stars — graceful lifts, polished transitions, and undeniable chemistry.
Then Midwest Best DJs opened the dance floor, and the celebration truly ignited. Guests danced beneath glowing chandeliers before indulging in late-night heart-shaped churros — the perfect playful ending to an elegant evening.
None of it would have come together so beautifully without Chelsea of Gilded Aisle Weddings and Flowerchild Florals, whose design and planning seamlessly wove together regency elegance, cultural tradition, and modern celebration. A special thank you as well to Forever Incredible for officiating such a heartfelt ceremony.
Why The Armour House Is One of the Best Wedding Venues in Lake Forest, Illinois
The Armour House truly offers the best of both worlds: historic charm and modern convenience. As a private estate, the mansion is exclusively yours for the day — creating an immersive experience that feels worlds away from the everyday.
From multicultural traditions to choreographed dances, shark costumes to sweeping staircases, Kristina and Matt’s regencycore wedding was a masterclass in blending heritage, high style, and heartfelt joy.
Start Planning Your Own Wedding at The Armour House
If you’re planning a Regencycore wedding at The Armour House Mansion & Gardens in Lake Forest, Illinois, or dreaming of a romantic Chicago-area mansion wedding filled with modern-vintage details, I would love to document it for you. Historic estates, garden ceremonies, and thoughtfully styled celebrations are some of my favorite weddings to photograph — especially when they blend cultural heritage with modern elegance. If The Armour House or another Lake Forest wedding venue is on your list, let’s connect and begin planning a gallery that feels timeless, editorial, and unmistakably you.
Vendor Team
Venue | The Armour House
Wedding Planner | Chelsea – Gilded Aisle Weddings
Florals | Flowerchild
Dress | Blanche Bridal via Genevieve’s Bridal Couture
Hair & Makeup | Anna Milanzi Beauty
Suit | Formally Modern
Choreography | Windy City Wedding Dances
Videographer | Chaviano Creative
Cake | Bittersweet Chicago
Officiant | Forever Incredible
DJ | Midwest Best DJs
Shoes | Jimmy Choo
Earrings | Saks Fifth Avenue
Wedding Bands | Tiffany & Co. + Blue Nile
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