Kaitlin and Josh are so special. Everything about their entire intimate elopement in Cook Forest and their Highland Park block party reception was amazing.
The first day I met them at their cabin and their families led me to their secret ceremony spot down by a river in the old growth forest cathedral. It was so serene. The weather was perfect. Not too hot, and didn’t have rain or hail or snow or tornado’s in the forecast like the following two days would bring. The tall trees provided shad and dapple sunlight and it was so quiet, except the sound of support and love coming out of everybody’s hearts and lips. They celebrated with a dinner at Gateway Lodge afterwards and headed back home to Pittsburg the following day.
A week later, I arrived at their home to find tents and set up and the street closed down. It was so very 90’s of them. I remember block party’s when I was a child, playing with chalk and all the kids and music blasting. It was a good time. The smell of halal food filled the air, and my family and I were welcomed with warm hugs. Their puppers joined us for a little while and then family and friends and neighbors started filling the street. It was definitely a unique and super fun way to have a wedding reception, if anybody is looking for something a little different!
VENDORS
Prep: Blackbear Cabins
Ceremony: Cook Forest
Reception: Highland Park Block Party
Photographer: Whitling Photography, Stephanie
Wedding Planner: Jaclyn Miller, Party Darling
Dress: Yumi Kim
Suit: Brooks Brothers
Grooms Hat: Stetson
Rings: Old Hills Design Company
Caterer: Salem’s Market & Grille