Crystal & Spenser’s Intimate Monochrome Wedding

Crystal and Spenser, both journalism majors at Eastern Illinois University, were introduced by a professor who insisted they connect because Spenser was the editor-in-chief of a campus newspaper Crystal wanted to get involved with. The two quickly became best friends, and eventually, their feelings evolved into love. Being a private couple, the pair planned an intimate wedding to fit the theme “nothing fancy, just love,” a sentiment as to who they are as a couple as well.

The pair wanted a natural, but elegant look for their wedding. They loved the unique aesthetic at their venue, La Banque Hotel, a refurbished bank, and decided to let the beauty of the venue shine through. Tall cylinder glass arrangements with hydrangeas and curly willow were used as accents. During the intimate ceremony, they read personal vows they had written to each other as guests stood with them while they became husband and wife.

Crystal and Spenser only included the traditions they wanted — no garter, bouquet toss or speeches — just love, laughter, music, food and drinks. The ceremony was followed by a cocktail party-style reception, with an open bar, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and a dessert bar consisting of wedding cake, brownies, cookies, cheesecake and chocolate parfaits. A live DJ played music to fit the cocktail party mood, keeping it upbeat. In a very special moment during the father-daughter dance, Crystal asked her father to escort her over to her mother to finish the dance as the bride wanted to pay tribute to her mother’s love and friendship over the years as well.

NUMBER OF WEDDING GUESTS: 65