Carolyn & Andy Bloomington, IL, Wedding Reception
I typically take on about 2-3 full service wedding clients each year. Carolyn and Andy’s wedding day was my 2/2 full scale wedding clients and I couldn’t have been more thrilled to work with them.
Carolyn and Andy had actually gotten married several years ago (thanks to better health insurance and tax breaks!) but they hadn’t gotten the chance to celebrate yet with friends and family. Enter October 2025.
Carolyn and Andy went on their first date to Anju Above located above Epiphany Farms Restaurant in downtown Bloomington, IL. Carolyn also proposed to Andy at Anju Above. Ok so the picture is clear- Anju carries A LOT of personal meaning. The couple came to me wanting to have their reception and mini ceremony at Anju. I said YES! They bought out the restaurant for the evening and made it their own. It was so so special!
Carolyn proposed to Andy using Scrabble tiles (“will you marry me”) because they love the game Scrabble. So naturally, we had to find a way to incorporate Scrabble tiles. We landed on the place cards at each table setting being guests’ names on Scrabble tiles. I worked with a vendor from the UK off Etsy and she was the greatest to work with! She needed some names ahead of time to get a head start (estimated guest count was 80) so Carolyn and Andy sent me a list of about 40 guests that they were pretty positive would attend. I shot the list over to Mary, our UK friend, and she got started. Mary was very communicative which was nice because we are just hoping this random vendor actually does what she says and sends a nice product. She did!
Carolyn and Andy also LOVE Lego so they had the idea to incorporate Lego flowers into their centerpieces. The couple enjoys going to the Urbana Farmer’s Market every weekend in season and always buy a bouquet from Lancaster Flower Co. When the couple got engaged they immediately approached Meredith at the Farmer’s Market to see if Lancaster would be available and interested to do the florals for their wedding day. Yay! Again, another very personal touch!
Carolyn and Andy are so laid back! They are not over-the-top in any way and their day reflected that. We build the day-of schedule to be relaxed and in the moment. The morning didn’t start out like most wedding mornings with the hustle and bustle of getting ready. Carolyn and Andy got ready together at their home and then took pictures with Anna at the Arboretum in Urbana, IL (one of their fav locations to hang out). They had the wedding party meet them at Anju for a few pictures but other than that it was very low key. The one shot they asked for was a picture of the wedding party hanging out at the bar at Anju enjoying a drink! So fun!
Their mini ceremony consisted of Carolyn and Andy exchanging vows and rings (they did order special rings for this ceremony) and kind words said to each other. It was very sweet! Guests sat at their table while Carolyn and Andy stood on a short staircase so everyone could see. The venue, Anju Above, as I mentioned is not a normal venue. They are actually a restaurant. So we got creative with how to set the room up for a good vantage point for each guest table- we didn’t want anyone feeling left out. The restaurant team worked with us to even create space for the dance floor. I will say, this was hands down the BEST wedding food I’ve had! I’m sure it’s because Anju is a restaurant first and foremost. But I will forever remember the tofo stir fry and pot stickers. SO GOOD!
The evening continued with most of the wedding party sharing a toast which was also unique for most weddings, however the way we had it timed out it didn’t get boring or feel too long. I always love to hear personal toasts from the closest friends and family because it is a better look into who the couple actually are. I get to know them on one level but never as deep as lifelong friends adnd family!
Carolyn and Andy truly are a partnership and help each other in life. I was blessed to serve this couple and wish them the best!
Vendor Team:
Full Scale Wedding Planner - 618 EVENTS, Maggie Farchmin
Venue, Catering, & Bar - Anju Above
Tuxes - Suit Shop and Mens Wearhouse
Photographer - Anna Longworth
Flowers - Lancaster Flower Company
DJ - Tim Williams
Scrabble Name Cards - KCK Gifts and Events