Dreamy Italianate Wedding at Villa Terrace Museum

Date: August 29, 2020

Jake McElmury and Rachel Bursey weren’t even 16 when they went on their first date. They were introduced by a mutual friend in Minnesota, and Rachel picked up Jake, equipped with a bouquet of red roses, at his parents’ house. Fast-forward to 2019: Jake proposed during a weekend trip to Chicago on the North Avenue Beach with a perfect view of the city skyline. The Villa Terrace Museum provided an elegant Italianate venue for their big day and helped inspire their theme and palette of soft peach, apricot and creamy tones. Officiated by the bride’s cousin, their moving ceremony featured memories from both parents and a prayer from the bride’s grandfather. The maid of honor, who was expecting a baby, opted to stay home, but was still part of her best friend’s special day with a recorded speech played during dinner.