Ryan + Tara // wedding

"Ryan’s and my original plan was to get married in Springfield, IL, where I grew up. After we got engaged, we started the venue-search pretty shortly after. Unfortunately the dates and locations we liked the best in Springfield were either unavailable or booked. We began looking in the Peoria, IL and surrounding areas, near our home in East Peoria. We both wanted to get married outside and knew we wanted our reception venue to be “different” and feel like a big party versus a traditional banquet-style reception. We found Mt. Hawley Country Club and knew it was the perfect fit for our reception! Although we could have gotten married outside of the club, we decided to continue our search for the most perfect ceremony site. Our wedding coordinator, Sara O’Shea with So Chic Events told us about The Pettengill-Morron Home. After I saw the location, I knew it was the place where Ryan and I would say “I do”. I had spent the night before the big day at my house with my mom and best friends, Dani and Becca. May and June had been unusually rainy this year, but my wedding day, as promised by the forecast, was warm and sunny. I woke up feeling calm, refreshed, and excited to marry my best friend. There rest of my lovely, 9 bridesmaids showed up shortly after I woke up, with Starbucks in hand, ready for hair and makeup.

I loved being able to get ready in the comfort of my own home. Ryan and I had an unspoken idea where we had both decided not to talk with one another until we saw each other at the altar. I remember thinking throughout the morning, “I wonder how he is feeling?” and “I wonder what he is doing right now?” It added to the excitement of the day! After hair and make-up were done, we headed to the ceremony site where I could put on my dress. One of my most special moments of the day was doing a “first look” with my dad. The emotions were in full-force from then on! I can honestly say the day was perfect.

I walked down the aisle with my dad and I do not think there was a dry eye at that wedding, including Ryan! He was so emotional and it was very sweet to see him like that. We had a predominately Christian ceremony, but added Hindu wedding traditions like the “Tying of the Knot” and “Seven Steps”. One of our co-officiants is one of my dearest friends, Kendahl, whose husband officiated the wedding. After the ceremony concluded, on our way down the aisle, Ryan and I stopped and touched the feet of my grandmother which is a sign of respect in the Hindu culture. She was so happy to see us do this. It was all of these personalized details that made the day so memorable. The reception at Mt. Hawley Country Club was a blast – there was lots of loving, laughing, and dancing. The food was perfection and Ryan and I made sure that we ate and also got a piece of our signature menu item, World Class Chocolate ice cream cake! We are so lucky to continue to relive the moments through the pictures and videography. I’ll never forget that day, as marriage for us is once in a lifetime. ♥