Blythe Gown in a Highfield Hall Wedding | Brigitte + Jared

Music brought Jared and Brigitte together, and was the reason they started dating. While at Loyola University Chicago, they met on the first day of wind ensemble rehearsal. One night, about three years of as ‘just friends,’ they went to an emo cover band concert at Beat Kitchen, and everything changed.

From that moment on, their relationship evolved until Brigitte realized Jared was the one. “I can always be myself around him. We laugh, we cry, and he’s my best friend in the whole world. I love him so much and I can’t imagine my life without him.”

Their first ever vacation alone together in Belize marked the next step. After a week spent birding and exploring Mayan ruins, they planned to go on a sunset river cruise. But then the skies darkened and rain proceeded to pour down for the rest of the day. Luckily for these two, “we have a close relationship with Mother Nature, and she cleared the rain for the 4-hour window of the sunset cruise. We had a sweet and private moment where he told me he wanted to go on many more adventures with me.”

A Colorful Wedding Dress

When she thought about what she wanted to wear, Brigitte knew for certain that her timeless wedding dress would be colorful and unexpected. When Jared’s aunt Julie showed her some printed gowns, she fell in love with the idea. At Your Dream Bridal, everything came together in the very first dress she tried, Lea-Ann Belter Blythe. “I love the blue florals, and the fabric is so light and comfortable it almost felt like I wasn’t wearing a dress. Julie is so spot on in reading each bride and figuring out what they are looking for!”

Bagpipes, Knot-Tying, and Ice Cream at Highfield Hall

Just like Brigitte’s gown, her and Jared’s day was refined with a twist. They married at Highfield Hall and Gardens, Brigitte’s dad’s bagpipe band played, they included a knot-tying ceremony, and Brigitte’s best friend, Nick, officiated.

Of all the wonderful details, Brigitte especially loved their ice-cream truck and her tiara! “I felt so regal!”

Read more about their day from our wonderful bride below.

How did the two of you meet?

Jared and I met on our first day of wind ensemble rehearsal at Loyola University Chicago. We were friends and hung around in the same circle for three years until we became closer friends and eventually started officially dating. The catalyst for us dating was an Emo cover band concert at Beat Kitchen.

When did you realize Jared was your person?

My love for him grew gradually over time. There was no one singular moment, and instead a lot of little moments strung together. I remember feeling so comfortable and secure around him, which is something I still feel to this day. I can always be myself around him. We laugh, we cry, and he’s my best friend in the whole world. I love him so much and I can’t imagine my life without him.

Could you share your engagement story?

We went on our first ever “just the two of us” vacation to Belize, one of my favorite countries. We spent the whole week birding, going to Mayan heritage and ruin sites, eating AMAZING food and chocolate. We had beautiful weather all week and our last full day we were planning on doing a sunset river cruise. It rained. All day. The lodge said they might have to cancel, but we have a close relationship with Mother Nature and she cleared the rain for the 4 hour window of the sunset cruise. We had a sweet and private moment where he told me he wanted to go on many more adventures with me.

Tell us about finding your gown! What made you realize it was perfect?

I knew for a long time that I didn’t want a fully white dress because I love color and I also wanted something unique! I wanted to tie the line of classy bridal with my own twist. Jared’s Aunt Julie showed me some pictures of dresses with prints and I fell in love with the idea of doing something like that. Julie suggested we go shopping at Your Dream Bridal in Sudbury, MA and as soon as I saw the Blythe dress I knew it was for me. It was the first dress I tried on and, even though I tried on a few other dresses, I knew it was my dress. I love the blue florals and the fabric is so light and comfortable it almost felt like I wasn’t wearing a dress. Julie is so spot on in reading each bride and figuring out what they are looking for!

What atmosphere did you want to create on your day?

Highfield Hall and Gardens already set the tone for us—refined and classy. We kept the color palette close to my dress with some pops of blue, but overall white florals and lots of green. Michelle did an amazing job with the florals!

What little details are you especially glad you included?

I LOVED having the ice cream truck! It was a big hit and it fit the vibe perfectly. I also loved wearing a tiara—I felt so regal! I also wore my great grandmother’s diamond studs and a pair of drop earrings she bought me.

What part of your wedding celebration felt most meaningful to you both?

We were able to fit in so many special people in our lives on that day. Our close family friend who did my hair and makeup for all my school dances did my wedding hair and makeup. My dad’s bagpipe band who is like a second family to us. And our best friend Nick officiating the ceremony. Above all, I am so happy we included the knot tying in our ceremony. We made the braided cord together which was so special and we have it hanging on our mantle now.

Any advice for couples currently planning their wedding?

We had decided early on not to have a wedding planner because the venue had a day of coordinator and we thought we could do everything ourselves. The last two months leading up to the wedding was insane. So busy with completing the last details. Even though it all went perfectly, if I had to do it all over again I would get a wedding planner!