Wedding Style: Classic Tradition, Elegance and Love
Sometimes, words fail. That is when the memories take over.
A classically beautiful wedding from Jeffrey and Julia Woods …
Jeffrey and Julia Woods are to weddings … what love is to marriage. A team. A fusion of style, emotion and tradition … with hearts full of passion.
After looking and looking and looking at the images from this wedding, I honestly felt as if I knew Ashley and Andrew’s family. I felt as if I had seen every kiss, felt every hug and shed every tear of the day! I am a total sucker when it comes to grooms’ expressions. Usually it’s when the bride is walking toward him. I am a die-hard advocate of getting that one essential shot. This time, though, it was the photo of Ashley’s Dad & Andrew’s handshake. I can almost hear the impassioned “I promise … I will ……”
Ashley and Andrew exchanged vows on the 5th of July at the Cathedral of St. Mary of Immaculate Conception in Peoria, Illinois. A wedding day filled with love and laughter with a tiny bit of nervousness … as all wedding days should be. An elegant dinner reception followed at the Peoria Country Club.
The exquisite cake was provided by Barb Evans, an independent cake creator and owner of the Wedding Cake Connection.
from Ashley’s mom … “Their cake was based on a Martha Stewart design. We made some changes to the original decorating design to reflect Ashley and Andrew’s personality. Ashley’s 5 layer ivory fondant cake was customized by adding their monogram, a lace pattern that worked back to the French lace in her gown, a heart pattern reminiscent of her grandmother’s sentiment “you’re a part of my heart”, and a design that replaced small flowers with tiny grape clusters to represent Ashley and Andrew’s appreciation for fine wine. This was a beautifully serious cake with a sprinkle of personality and humor. The cake was staged on a grand piano covered in an ivory lamour table linen topped with a pearl embellished gold lace table runner. Professional lighting was used to highlight the cake’s display.”
Again, from the bride’s mother … Lieutenant Andrew Crawford is an Air Force F-16 fighter pilot. He injected his spirited personality and Air Force background in the form of the traditional fighter pilot tuxedo shirt. It is customary for some fighter pilots to remove the back and the sleeves of their tuxedo shirts and replace that fabric with a wild and crazy print. When the dress jacket is on, what is seen is a white collar, shirt front, and cuffs. Once the jacket is removed, the sleeves and back POP with color and the party begins! Andrew selected a material reminiscent of the combination of a vintage aloha shirt print and a 1940’s pin up girl pattern. Betty Grable meets Waikiki! It was playful, colorful, and the perfect expression of Andrew’s personality.
Ashley’s wedding color palette was based upon the rich raspberry hue of the bridesmaids’ gowns. (Just a quick sidenote – I had no idea there was a “p” in raspberry!)
Do you see what I mean about Jeff and Julia’s photography? I feel like I was there!
Just as important to me (as a mom) is the groom’s expression when his bride walks toward him down the aisle … so is that shot of daddy’s little princess as they dance their dance.
I’m quite sure that the groom’s mom feels the same way about her dance with her charming little prince!
The Country Club of Peoria was transformed into a posh party venue, thanks to Beth Maxwell of Save The Date and event coordination by Cloud Nine Weddings of Chicago.
And what classically beautiful wedding would be complete without the ever-scrumptious Godiva chocolates!
Our heartfelt congratulations to Ashley and Andy! Thank you for sharing your wedding day with us at Style Me Pretty.
{to see the full gallery, click here!}
Jeff and Julia … what a spell-binding story you capture … not only in the events and emotions of the day, but in the very essence of those you photograph!
36 Comments about “Wedding Style: Classic Tradition, Elegance and Love”
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Oh my, what a gorgeous wedding. I know what you mean about the photography, you truly feel as though you lived that day with them! The bride is just gorgeous, the reception of impeccable taste and the bridesmaids resplendant. The groom's shirt? Hilarious. All in all, a pretty [perfect wedding.
What a lovely wedding. It looks like they had a lot of fun too! The third photo is absolutely gorgeous.
G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S!
Lovely wedding, love the shirts ! And the bride is too pretty for words...
Gorgeous dress!!! Does anyone know which designer?
And the shoes, too!!!
Where did the veil and hairpiece come from? I'm trying to find one I like... (lol, In fact -- If anyone else has any veil recommendations, I'd GLADLY take the tips!!!)
Who is the other guy she is canoodling with? It looks like there are two grooms???!!!???
The 'other guy' is her brother:)
Stacie's dress is by Monique Lhuillier. We'll check on the veil and hairpiece.
Thank you all for your kind words. I just saw this posted for the first time. It is fun 6 months later to re-live it!! Yes my dress and belt were both Monique L'Huillier...it was from her runway Spring 2008 line [I think!]. I switched the belt she shows it with to one with some sparkle and bling :)-- and the veil and haripiece were a custom design from the headpiece designer at Ultimate Bride [Oak Street Chicago] I worked with Rachel and her team... they helped me coordinate all the dresses bridesmaids etc. They are so fabulous and have such great taste I would recommend calling them!!! The shoes were "Ninas" from a department store.. very simple but I danced all night and felt fine. Yes the other "guy" is my precious little brother who I absolutely adore. Thanks again for the kind words and I'm happy to respond to any other questions!!!! Good luck planning!!!Cheers!!!
Mucho thanks. ;)
Yes, thank you! Such a lovely, lovely wedding!
Ashley!! The pictures are GORGEOUS and so are you lady. The boys shirts are great - Andrew would do that. I can't believe I haven't seen more pictures but they're awesome. I'm going to the Crawfords next week - I'll make Jayme show me more then. Heard it was so much fun - best of luck! You guys are great together!
Carly Ferguson
this is a beautiful wedding! the dress is gorgeous; wish i knew who made it! absolutely gorgious!
Thank you so much for this wedding!!!The photos are so amazing , and I love the elegant table decor , even told my wedding planner to use it as inspiration for us:-)!
Ashley and Andrew's wedding was a true creation of love reflecting the personal expression of collective inspiration drawn from many favorite places, meaningful connections, and family sentiments. It touches my heart to know so many have found beauty and drawn their own inspiraiton from what they see in Jeff and Julia's photographs. It was picture perfect and SO MUCH FUN! This mother of the bride could not be happier nor more proud of my daughter and son-in-law and their amazing wedding celebration! Mary Haivala Dalton
These pictures are great! I comment all the time on your blog, but it's because it's so great.
The grooms tuxes are like a finely crafted mullet (yes I said mullet), because it's all business in the front but party in the back! (ha-ha)...and the http://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-cakes " rel="nofollow">wedding cake looks very yummy. I wish I was there for this wedding.
This whole wedding is amazing. I love the bridesmaid dresses! Any idea the designer of those?
Am.az.ing! This wedding looks like so much fun, everything is so colorful and active, I love it!
Can anyone ID her earrings? Thanks!
THOSE SHOES! Can anyone tell me the designer or where I could find them! So lovely!
Alex, Shoes! So adorable! This bride has amazing taste.
http://www.shoebuy.com/nina-fifi/197527/439209
love this wedding...so elegant!
Hi again. I'm overwhelmed with the nice words!! I feel a little guilty saying this but one of the coolest things about our wedding is that we both had a ball. It was so FUN! and although there was a lot of going on between the planners [Cloud 9] and the vendors working so well together I honestly wasn't anxious at all. My husband and I just had a blast. I'm not sure how many brides get to say that. Anyway more info... the earings came from Bloomingdales [I forget the brand] and the bridesmaid dresses were "Thread"!!! Good luck!!!
Were your shoes silver? I can only find that style in gold, silver, and black.
these pictures are amazing! i am from peoria as well and was surprised to see st. mary's and ccp on here! i already have my venues and photographer, but do you have any recommendations regarding a dj, florist, or ceremony musicians? did you have a good experience working with save-the-date? any input would be great! you can email me if you'd like at eyeheartmath@gmail.com
shoes were silver... but aren't too too silver in color.. they were very "sheer" if that makes sense... I'm happy to email !!
I have to ask: where is your sash from on your wedding dress??!! This is EXACTLY what I have been looking for for such a long time! If you could help me out that would be so wonderful!
And umm...the earrings too? haha. Our dresses are VERY similar.
Chantel :)
its also a monique l'huiller belt... I ordered it from Ultimate Bride [Oak Street Chicago].. if you give them my name they can pull my file and let you know the "official name". I worked with Rachel there but the whole staff is fabulous... it was actually a belt that was a sash that was supposed to tie in a bow in the back ... but I wanted something a little less distracting so one of the tailors there put clasps on it and turned it into a belt!!!!! The earings were from Bloomingdales.. I can't remember the brand they were in one of the cases.... maybe if you look through the store you might see them???? Best of luck!
thanks so much! I really appreciate it. And in case I didn't say it earlier your wedding was gorgeous and SO classy. You guys pulled it off in a way that look effortless :)
Love these guys! So awesome they are featured on here!
gorgeous! so classy!
Jeff & Julia--beautiful work!
Hi, Ashley -
Not sure if you if you check this, but wanted to see if you could give me the name of the tent company that you used. I am getting married in Bloomington, IL and was wondering if you had any recommendations on vendors.
Thanks!