The bride’s parents’ closest friends offered their lakeside estate for the couple and their wedding party to take photos, and the stunning backdrop made for epic photography.
THE COUPLE Rijad Pekmez proposed to his New Trier high-school sweetheart, Grace Pecora, in an extra-special spot. “It was at Kenilworth Beach in May 2022,” Grace says. “He asked me to be his wife in the exact same spot he asked me to be his girlfriend almost 10 years prior.”
THE DETAILS The couple fell in love with Armour House for the big day. “Its natural beauty speaks for itself,” Grace says. “The long, dramatic outdoor aisle set the stage for our beautiful ceremony.” (It was also ideal for showcasing her Sofia Richie-inspired royallength custom veil.) Grace and her mother planned every detail, down to the neutral tone-on-tone decor. “With the help of Nancy Chase, we curated a spectacular tablescape with palm leaves in glass containers down extra-long tables,” Grace describes. “The greenery stole the show, giving the feeling of Italy on the North Shore.”
THE PARTY After dinner in the Great Hall, the couple’s 140 guests hit the monogrammed dance floor. “I changed into a beautiful A.L.C. dress for the reception so I could really dance,” Grace says. “Dancing to all of our favorite songs with our best friends was the highlight of the reception.”
Before walking down the aisle, “I realized I was tripping over myself and panicked,” Grace says. “So the shoes came off and on I went; the entire ceremony I was barefoot!”
For the reception inside Armour House, “we loved the look of neutrals in our already gorgeous venue,” Grace says.
THE LIST
Wedding Coordinator Mia Zifkin Bride’s Gown Alena Leena, Alice in Ivory, aliceinivory.com
Bride’s Hair & Makeup Hair: Sophia Demos, LifeSpa, my.lifetime. life; Makeup: Darcy McGrath, darcymcgrath.com
Groom’s & Groomsmen’s Tuxes The Black Tux, theblacktux.com Bridesmaids Dresses Bec + Bridge, becandbridge.com
Florals & Decor Nancy Chase, nancychasearrangements.com
Invitations Design: Elizabeth Dziersk; Printing: MITE Printing, miteprint.com
Cake Deerfields Bakery, deerfieldsbakery.com
Linens BBJ La Tavola, bbjlatavola.com
Rentals Hall’s, hallsrental.com
Dance Floor FROST, frostchicago.com
Entertainment DJ Bryen Hall, djbryenhall.com
Photo Booth Pixster, pixsterchicago.com
Accommodations Deer Path Inn, thedeerpathinn.com
Transportation M&M Limousine Services, mmlimo.com
Videographer Aaron Bean, aaronbean.com
Photography by: Bradley Moss Photography
