Jen & Jeff
Morris , IL
Goold Park
Click on the photos for more details
A Tale Worth Telling
The Bride: Jen GrahamThe Groom: Jeff Seidler
Wedding Date: October 4, 2009
Venue: Goold Park
Jen Graham and Jeff Seidler are storytellers. They started First Sight Films – a company that splices together moments of a couple’s wedding day to be relived forever – shortly after their own October 4, 2009, nuptials. And as newlyweds, they know a thing or two about telling a wedding-day story in a limited amount of frames. They planned their own wedding in just six weeks; however, their story as a couple dates back more than a decade to their days in high school together. So even though it was planned quickly, it came as no surprise to their guests that the day was filled with meaningful moments and details.
Ceremony – A Public Space
After a spontaneous road trip from Los Angeles to their hometown, the couple decided to stay and moved into a house across the street from the public park where they spent time together as teenagers. The park, though busy, has a quiet area under a canopy of trees, where the couple decided to exchange vows surrounded by 75 of their closest friends and family. “It is a place that we can always go back to and we do, almost everyday,” Jen explains.
After a spontaneous road trip from Los Angeles to their hometown, the couple decided to stay and moved into a house across the street from the public park where they spent time together as teenagers. The park, though busy, has a quiet area under a canopy of trees, where the couple decided to exchange vows surrounded by 75 of their closest friends and family. “It is a place that we can always go back to and we do, almost everyday,” Jen explains.
Reception – Something Old
For a couple who spends their Sunday mornings browsing antique shops, it was natural that the couple’s wedding décor and theme took on a vintage vibe. “We love to shop for things that have had a past life,” Jen says. The up-cycled cake topper, vintage bicycles, and Billie Holiday–era playlist paired with a flapper-like headdress that Jen purchased from Etsy, inspired a 1920s theme. On the invitation, the couple encouraged guests to join in the theme by wearing Gatsby-esque attire.
For a couple who spends their Sunday mornings browsing antique shops, it was natural that the couple’s wedding décor and theme took on a vintage vibe. “We love to shop for things that have had a past life,” Jen says. The up-cycled cake topper, vintage bicycles, and Billie Holiday–era playlist paired with a flapper-like headdress that Jen purchased from Etsy, inspired a 1920s theme. On the invitation, the couple encouraged guests to join in the theme by wearing Gatsby-esque attire.
Reception – Something Old
For a couple who spends their Sunday mornings browsing antique shops, it was natural that the couple’s wedding décor and theme took on a vintage vibe. “We love to shop for things that have had a past life,” Jen says. The up-cycled cake topper, vintage bicycles, and Billie Holiday–era playlist paired with a flapper-like headdress that Jen purchased from Etsy, inspired a 1920s theme. On the invitation, the couple encouraged guests to join in the theme by wearing Gatsby-esque attire.
For a couple who spends their Sunday mornings browsing antique shops, it was natural that the couple’s wedding décor and theme took on a vintage vibe. “We love to shop for things that have had a past life,” Jen says. The up-cycled cake topper, vintage bicycles, and Billie Holiday–era playlist paired with a flapper-like headdress that Jen purchased from Etsy, inspired a 1920s theme. On the invitation, the couple encouraged guests to join in the theme by wearing Gatsby-esque attire.
Menu – Home Cookin’
Keeping virtually everything DIY, even the menu, the couple purchased beef from a local butcher and made all the food themselves. “We love to cook, and we love to eat, so we thought, ‘Why not?’ All of our family and friends were involved with the menu, which made it really special,” says the bride. With home-style dishes like potatoes au gratin and chicken noodle soup, the meal was true comfort food, perfect for a cool fall evening.
Keeping virtually everything DIY, even the menu, the couple purchased beef from a local butcher and made all the food themselves. “We love to cook, and we love to eat, so we thought, ‘Why not?’ All of our family and friends were involved with the menu, which made it really special,” says the bride. With home-style dishes like potatoes au gratin and chicken noodle soup, the meal was true comfort food, perfect for a cool fall evening.
Décor – Hung with Care
With a variety of vintage and found fabrics, Jen cut and sewed flower-like shapes, creating whimsical three-dimensional blooms, which she then attached string to create garlands. These hung from the tree in the park under which they were married and from the center of the tent for the reception. They provided a jubilant burst of color matching the vibrant wildflowers used throughout the décor.
With a variety of vintage and found fabrics, Jen cut and sewed flower-like shapes, creating whimsical three-dimensional blooms, which she then attached string to create garlands. These hung from the tree in the park under which they were married and from the center of the tent for the reception. They provided a jubilant burst of color matching the vibrant wildflowers used throughout the décor.
Décor – Hung with Care
With a variety of vintage and found fabrics, Jen cut and sewed flower-like shapes, creating whimsical three-dimensional blooms, which she then attached string to create garlands. These hung from the tree in the park under which they were married and from the center of the tent for the reception. They provided a jubilant burst of color matching the vibrant wildflowers used throughout the décor.
With a variety of vintage and found fabrics, Jen cut and sewed flower-like shapes, creating whimsical three-dimensional blooms, which she then attached string to create garlands. These hung from the tree in the park under which they were married and from the center of the tent for the reception. They provided a jubilant burst of color matching the vibrant wildflowers used throughout the décor.
Cake Topper – A Sweet Find
Like most of the couple’s up-cycled décor that just came from simply perusing local vintage hot spots, one of their favorite details was their cake topper, found on an afternoon spent browsing in an antique shop together. It was part of an old bench, and after they detached the sweet, kissing couple, feathers were added to the bride so as to match Jen’s hairpiece.
Like most of the couple’s up-cycled décor that just came from simply perusing local vintage hot spots, one of their favorite details was their cake topper, found on an afternoon spent browsing in an antique shop together. It was part of an old bench, and after they detached the sweet, kissing couple, feathers were added to the bride so as to match Jen’s hairpiece.
DIY – Wedding Bliss to Business
After receiving endless compliments on her charming and colorful garlands, Jen realized that there was a business opportunity behind her do-it-yourself wedding details. She promptly started an Etsy shop, I Do Wedding Wares, where she sells her garlands along with other whimsical wedding details like handcrafted boutonnières similar to the one she made for Jeff to wear on their wedding day.
After receiving endless compliments on her charming and colorful garlands, Jen realized that there was a business opportunity behind her do-it-yourself wedding details. She promptly started an Etsy shop, I Do Wedding Wares, where she sells her garlands along with other whimsical wedding details like handcrafted boutonnières similar to the one she made for Jeff to wear on their wedding day.
DIY – Wedding Bliss to Business
After receiving endless compliments on her charming and colorful garlands, Jen realized that there was a business opportunity behind her do-it-yourself wedding details. She promptly started an Etsy shop, I Do Wedding Wares, where she sells her garlands along with other whimsical wedding details like handcrafted boutonnières similar to the one she made for Jeff to wear on their wedding day.
After receiving endless compliments on her charming and colorful garlands, Jen realized that there was a business opportunity behind her do-it-yourself wedding details. She promptly started an Etsy shop, I Do Wedding Wares, where she sells her garlands along with other whimsical wedding details like handcrafted boutonnières similar to the one she made for Jeff to wear on their wedding day.
A Tale Worth Telling
Jen Graham and Jeff Seidler are storytellers. They started First Sight Films – a company that splices together moments of a couple’s wedding day to be relived forever – shortly after their own October 4, 2009, nuptials. And as newlyweds, they know a thing or two about telling a wedding-day story in a limited amount of frames. They planned their own wedding in just six weeks; however, their story as a couple dates back more than a decade to their days in high school together. So even though it was planned quickly, it came as no surprise to their guests that the day was filled with meaningful moments and details. From the casual ceremony in their favorite park in their hometown of Morris, Illinois, to the vintage items these antique shop junkies found and folded throughout the décor, the wedding spoke, in a few simple frames, to their tale together.A Tale Worth Telling
Jen Graham and Jeff Seidler are storytellers. They started First Sight Films – a company that splices together moments of a couple’s wedding day to be relived forever – shortly after their own October 4, 2009, nuptials. And as newlyweds, they know a thing or two about telling a wedding-day story in a limited amount of frames. They planned their own wedding in just six weeks; however, their story as a couple dates back more than a decade to their days in high school together. So even though it was planned quickly, it came as no surprise to their guests that the day was filled with meaningful moments and details. From the casual ceremony in their favorite park in their hometown of Morris, Illinois, to the vintage items these antique shop junkies found and folded throughout the décor, the wedding spoke, in a few simple frames, to their tale together.Vendor Resources
Jen & Jeff:
First Sight Films
815.210.9538
firstsightfilms.com
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Photography:
Jagger Photography
Bellingham, WA
951.314.3834
jaggerphotography.com
Décor:
I Do Wedding Wares
Etsy Shop
Bride’s Gown:
J. Crew
jcrew.com/wedding
Bride’s Headpiece:
Boring Sidney
etsy.com/shop/boringsidney
Groom’s Attire:
Banana Republic
bananarepublic.com