ONE OF AMANDA HENRY and Nicholas Blank’s first dates was to Les Nomades, a tony French restaurant nestled in River North—and France has since become a sort of theme for their relationship. It was after another dinner at Les Nomades two years later that Nicholas proposed, and the couple dreamed of a destination wedding that paid homage to their love of France.
“We had originally wanted to get married in Provence, but knew that Nicholas’ grandparents wouldn’t be able to travel overseas,” the bride remembers. So—after three postponements due to pregnancy and then COVID-19—they finally brought the south of France to the North Shore. “We wanted to recreate a dreamy, romantic Provence feeling at Chicago Botanic Garden.”
A palette of dusty rose and anitque blue did just that, along with a French-inspired menu dreamt up by CBG’s culinary team and anchored by filet mignon. In addition to cake, the dessert spread included a traditional croquembouche, and macarons served as favors for their 75 guests. The couple’s identical twin sons, Beau and Bastian, donned shortalls and knee socks straight out of a French fairy tale for a ceremony set against the stunning landscape.
And the duo did eventually get that trip to France: A month before the wedding, they took “an unconventional pre-wedding honeymoon in Provence,” Amanda says. There, they found out they were pregnant with their third child, a girl—and they made the announcement to all their loved ones at their extra-joyous wedding reception.
When a vendor fell through, Amanda’s sister and father built the chic boxwood escort card display, featuring notches for Champagne flutes, the week of the wedding.
The couple’s identical twin sons, Beau and Bastian, served as the most adorable ring bearers.
The invitations had an antique French influence.
Gold vases, candlesticks and table number frames gave tables a gilded touch.
The ceremony was held on the venue’s Rose Terrace.
The List
Venue Chicago Botanic Garden, chicagobotanic.org
Wedding Planner Storybook Weddings & Events, storybookweddingsandevents.com
Bride’s Gown Vera Wang, verawang.com
Bride’s Jewelry Cartier, cartier.com
Bride’s Hair & Makeup Morgan Marie Beauty, morganmariebeauty.com
Groom’s Tux Smith’s Men’s Store, smithsmensstore.com; Cummerbund: Smathers & Branson, smathersandbranson.com
Groom’s Shoes Gucci, gucci.com
Rings Engagement Ring & Groom’s Band: Gerald Wolf; Bride’s Band: Lake Forest Jewelers, lakeforestjeweler.com
Bridesmaids’ Dresses Marchesa, marchesa.com
Groomsmen’s Tuxes Smith’s Men’s Store, smithsmensstore.com
Florals Artquest, Ltd., artquestltd.com
Catering Culinary Landscape, culinarylandscape.com
Cake Urban Icing, urbanicing.com
Invitations Cardinal & Straw, cardinalandstraw.com
Entertainment Don Cagen Orchestra, Cagen Music, cagenmusic.com
Lighting Elegant Event Lighting, eelchicago.com
Photographer Kristin La Voie Photography, kristinlavoiephotography.com
Photography by: Kristin La Voie Photography
