Intimate Wedding, LGBTQ Wedding, Wedding

Caitlin & Jon @ Pleasant Home

A beautiful wedding at Pleasant Home with goth, intimate vibes!

A couple gets celebrates their wedding at Pleasant House in Oak Park, Illinois.

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Caitlin and I have known each other for years. When she asked me to capture her wedding at Pleasant Home, it was of course a resounding “yes”! Caitlin and Jon wanted a timeless and intimate wedding day with a bit of goth energy, and Pleasant Home was the perfect place for their day. The couple got ready at the beautiful 19th century home and had their first look in front of the home’s iconic wooden hearth. Following their first look, we snapped some photos outside with their adorable dogs, Jack and Beau.

Caitlin and Jon opted to have their ceremony outside on Pleasant Home’s large, sweeping front porch. Officiated by a friend of theirs, their ceremony was filled with deeply personal vows and lots of tears from both sides. The couple took a moment to themselves after the ceremony and shared even more tears together. I feel so honored when a couple allows me to be a part of moments like this.

Their reception was just as beautiful as their ceremony. I was truly obsessed with the details! In the reception room, dark and moody florals by Moss Modern Flowers matched the simple and elegant cake from Broken Tart. Friends and family shared cocktails and hugs outside on the porch. A few guests shared toasts during dinner, then Caitlin and Jon cut their wedding cake. We snuck outside to capture some beautiful golden hour portraits, and the lighting was simply perfect. I also made sure to snap a few maternity photos, as Caitlin was just a few months away from giving birth to their son!

My favorite moment of the day came when Caitlin and Jon had their impromptu first dance on the front porch. They weren’t planning on having a first dance, but they put a song on their bluetooth speaker and shared the most beautiful dance, just the two of them. This entire day was full of moments like this: soft, intimate moments that weren’t planned or rehearsed. They ended the night dancing with their guests on the porch while some of younger guests ran around on the front lawn. Pleasant Home was the perfect venue for their wedding, and I was glad I wasn’t alone in crying more than a few times.

Congratulations, Caitlin and Jon!