Wedding | Rachael & Jackson

Tell us a little about yourselves!

We met just before Covid, an Architecture Student and Biology Major. We had 18 months of school to go and were ready to find each other. One thousand swipes between the two of us, we met nervously on a rain slicked Logan Square cross walk, an October night that changed both of us forever. Fast forward 6 years, and Rachael is a Digital Advertising Creative Director, and Jackson a Software Implementation Manager. We love to clean out a true vintage price gouge right after a light lunch of spicy fried chicken, iced oat milk lattes, and vanilla soft serve.

Why did you decide to get married where you did?

There were only a couple venues that we visited prior to Greencrest Manor, because once we visited the grounds the decision was already made. Rachael took the 2.5 hour drive from Chicago with her mom and was immediately greeted by Jenn, the Manor’s owner and seasoned wedding planner. They were incredibly accommodating of our timeline, and the venue is an easy drive from both Chicago and Detroit, so all our grandparents could be there. This was incredibly important for Rachael given her close relationship to her grandma who is 94 years old!

How many guests did you have?

We wanted an intimate gathering, so we had 70 guests in attendance.

What was your budget? 

$150K+.

Tell us about your outfits.

I found my wedding dress months before any other wedding decision was made, and wedding stores do not like hearing you have no date, no venue, because it all revolves around your dress. My ceremony gown was Vera Wang, yes, the dress from Bridal Wars. I felt like a princess and absolutely adored the volume of the 16 layers of tulle. My shoes were Amy Crookes, a Parisian lingerie designer. My veil was from Transplant Vintage in LA, which had satin ivory rosettes. My outfit change was into a vintage silk dead stock couture two piece from Desert Stars Vintage in Brooklyn. it was important to me to have a vintage gown for my wedding day - and we couldn’t say no to Vera so this fulfilled that need for me.

-Rachael

I chose a vintage 90s tuxedo, complete with a pin stripe on the leg, a cummerbund, bow tie, and vintage Ferragamo tuxedo shoes. I changed into a rented Men’s Warehouse dinner jacket which really brought out my groove.

-Jackson

What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?

Our vendors! Florals, our media team, creative direction from Jenn and team at Greencrest Manor, and our outfits of course! Jenn Ederer and her right hand, Dani Corte, were instrumental in making sure every single detail from the design, welcome drinks, stationary, scheduling, sourcing vendors – they were our ride-or-dies. The rest of the staff during our week onsite were amazing and welcoming  too, it took our week to another level!

 I also had my absolute dream beauty team commute in from Chicago which made it so special! My hair stylist, Tamara Holden, was someone I had met at a photo shoot 6+ years earlier, and her and I always would joke that I didn’t know anything else about my future wedding other than she would be doing my hair!

Were there any elements that were important for you to incorporate?

We wanted to make sure the wedding was full of color, texture, for a fairytale / storybook vibe. We were going for French, whimsical, playful, and intimate. We got to spend 3 nights together with our closest friends and family at the Manor, enjoying having everyone we love most with us under one roof. There was a wellness day prior to the wedding with private yoga and a tea party, which made the experience extra luxurious. Lastly, the design of the Greencrest Manor, and grounds is out of a movie. We kept saying how we’re in a Netflix original.

Any tips for couples getting married?

For the grooms: the more you can do to take the load off your fiancée, the less torment you will endure. She/he has a lot of decisions to make that you won’t be able to fathom, so start taking care of the low hanging fruit. And get your outfit ready ASAP. 

For the brides: find a therapist you can chat to like a girlfriend and a workout instructor who prioritizes arm day for you. But honestly, working out was such a stress reliever, and it was something the wedding motivated me to get back into. Try not to see your fiancé as the enemy, they really aren’t equipped to plan a wedding, so be patient and kind, if you can. 

For both: Finding a great photographer you click with makes the biggest difference out of anything. Nikki Strekowski was so professional, so dynamic, and such a visionary along with her teammate, Katie Fitzsimmons.

Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?

Blue Water Kings were an incredible band, and Karisa, the lead singer, even took the time to learn our first dance song which is in Brazilian Portuguese: Todo Homem, by Zeca Veloso. We went with the 7 piece band. 

Florals by Kills Custom Creations, Jessica Kill nailed our vision to a tee. 

Nikki Strekowski truly killed the photos and were so quick to deliver film and digital.

Jonathan Ho did our video, him and his wife were a pleasure to have on our wedding day capturing the editorial, vintage Hollywood vibe we were going for. 

Social Brides Collective captured a ton of phone content throughout the day, ceremony, and reception. Dev Dominguez was also a great helping hand during many moments.

Photographer: Nikki Strekowski @nikkistrekowski_photo | Planning & Styling: Jenn Ederer

@greencrest_manor | Flora: Kills Custom Creations @killscustomscreations | Videographer: Jonathan Ho

 @jonathan_ho_weddings | Ceremony & Reception Location: Greencrest Manor @greencrest_manor | Celebrant: Tom Hamel | Makeup: Teresa Marie @byaeris_ | Hair: Tamara Holden @tamaraholdenhair | Catering & Beverages: Millenium Catering | Cake: Sweet Details @sweetdetails.gr | Stationery: Ten Story Stationary @tenstorystationary | Entertainment: Blue Water Kings @bluewaterkingsband | Welcome Installation: Zanah Marie @zanah_marie | Social Content: Social BridesCollective @socialbridescollective | Dress: Vera Wang @verawang | Second Dress: Desert Stars Vintage @desertstarsvintage | Suit: Richards Fabulous Finds @richardsfabulousfinds | Veil: Transplant Vintage @transplantvintage | Engagement Ring: Bryn Mawr Jewellery Co @brynmawrjewelry | Wedding Rings: Khalid Alharbi & Belle Zhao

 @earthangelry | Shoes: Amy Crookes @amycrookes | Other Jewellery: Yamron Jewelers @YamronJewelers