TARA LARRUE AND DIMITRI CLARKE met during their sophomore year at Northeastern University in Boston, but it wasn’t until years later—after graduation, job shifts and multiple cross-country moves—that the couple settled in the bride’s hometown of Chicago and got engaged on a snowy New Year’s Eve. “It was a very sweet way to end the year,” Tara says.
After being together for so long, they knew they wanted to tie the knot right away, so less than eight months later, the couple exchanged vows in an intimate ceremony at Tara’s parents’ home. “We initially didn’t think we wanted a full wedding, but when [my] parents offered their home as a venue, we decided it would be a nice, unique opportunity to get our families and friends together without [being] super formal,” Tara says. “We envisioned something beautiful but casual, fun and happy. We wanted everyone to feel completely comfortable, welcomed and inspired to have a great time.”
Thanks to The Gilded Aisle planner Chelsea Kiely (whom Tara says was critical to the planning process), the backyard was transformed into a dreamy summer haven filled with colorful wildflowers, lush greenery and dried flower confetti, which guests showered over the couple as they walked out of the ceremony to the sounds of “Sunny” by Marvin Gaye.
As the sun set on the perfect summer day, dinner and dancing ensued in an elegant tent installed with barnwood flooring and luminous bistro lights. “The tent really transformed the area,” Tara adds. “It felt very magical.”