Sarah and Chad’s Blue-Sky Summer Wedding at the Geneva National

Sarah and Chad, both from Woodstock, Illinois, were in the same class in middle school and high school. “We always ran into each other through mutual friends, but it wasn’t until after college that a close friend played matchmaker and set us up on a date.” Many dates then led to Chad asking Sarah to be his girlfriend after a New Year’s Eve party in 2013, and in April of 2016, Chad proposed on Sarah’s birthday.

“Growing up, we were both frequent visitors to the Lake Geneva area,” Chad says. “Since it has always held a special place in Sarah’s heart, I knew this was the perfect place to pop the question.” He spent weeks planning the perfect birthday evening for Sarah, with all of their families present to celebrate. At dinner, Chad made a special toast and got down on one knee. After dinner, the families joined them for a drink — and Chad then surprised Sarah once more, with an engagement party and 40 of their closest friends.

The happy couple planned a contemporary wedding with both the ceremony and reception at the Geneva National. “The bridesmaids wore flamingo pink floor-length dresses that differed in style. The groom and groomsmen wore navy blue tuxedos with an ivory bow tie for the groom and flamingo pink ties for the groomsmen. Floral arrangements covered the pergola during the ceremony, and oversized arrangements in emperor vases filled the ballroom. We also had flamingo pink organza table overlays, gold chiavari chairs, gold votive candles, and uplighting.

The ceremony took place at the Geneva National’s Lakeview Terrace. “It was a beautiful 80-degree day with barely a cloud in the sky. Our bridal party included 14 of our closest friends. The ceremony itself was personalized to best fit us as a couple, with a blessing of the hands and a reading of How Falling In Love Is Like Owning A Dog. Our favorite part was our unity tree ceremony. We closed on our forever home just days after our wedding and were able to plant the tree in our front yard.”

For the reception, the party moved to the Grand Ballroom at the Geneva National. “Guests enjoyed a cocktail hour with several hors d’oeuvres.” One fun thing Sarah and Chad did at the reception was a “table race” set to the Mission Impossible theme song. “The purpose of the table race is for the bride and groom to take a picture — mainly funny/action shots — with each table before the time — song ending — ran out.” For Chad and Sarah, it was mission accomplished!

Dinner was catered by the Geneva National, and guests were given the option of filet mignon paired with green beans and roasted red potatoes, or bronzed salmon with a maple butter glaze paired with asparagus and wild rice. “Prior to the main course, guests were served minted watermelon with balsamic and feta, as well as a mixed baby field green salad.” Dessert was a tiered white wedding cake filled with fresh strawberries and topped with whipped vanilla crème frosting. “Toward the end of the reception, homemade pizzas were served.”

Sarah and Chad agree that the Geneva National is very much to thank for making their day as magical as it was. “Its beauty — the venue, grounds, golf course — as well as the staff — we loved it all! From the moment we stepped into the clubhouse for our initial appointment, we felt important and were treated above and beyond with grace. The Geneva National team definitely made our wedding dream a reality.”
[table]
Invitations~Wedding Paper Divas
Rehearsal Dinner~Café Calamari, Williams Bay, WI
Ceremony Location~Geneva National Lakeview Terrace
Reception Location~Geneva National Grand Ballroom
Cake Designer/Dessert~Tiered Wedding Cake, Rhodes Bakery, Capron, IL
Flowers~Lilypots Floral Design, Lake Geneva, W
Music/Entertainment~Music in Motion with Tim Hicks, Woodstock, IL
Transportation~A2B Transportation, Delavan, WI
Photographer~Matt Mason Photography, Lake Geneva, WI
Videographer~Fusion Film from Matt Mason Photography
Gown~Martina Liana Essence of Australia from Volle’s Bridal and Boutique, Lake Zurich, IL
Formalwear~Jos A Bank, Algonquin, IL
Rings~Studio 2015, Woodstock, IL
[/table]

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