When our family moved to Plainfield, we drove past a huge, white chipped barn on the bank of the DuPage River. A small farmhouse sat just across the street. As a Plainfield wedding photographer, I thought, this farmhouse has character! One day I saw a beautiful stone fireplace and patio being built on to the farmhouse. And soon enough, that small farmhouse was transformed into a gorgeous venue. Now, booking an event at this 200-person rustic yet modern space is quite limited for several years out.
I’ve been bringing my “country boy at heart” aesthetic to Chicago wedding photography since 2008 and alongside my mentor, Kristin LaVoie Photography since 2011. I simply couldn’t wait to photograph the Farmhouse Plainfield, adding a rustic farmhouse wedding to my portfolio.
I finally got that shot with Kristen, a Naperville native, and her husband Peter.
They originally planned a 2020 wedding, which turned into a backyard vows exchange at their Virginia home.
Kristen was ready for a sweet home Chicago celebration! And the Farmhouse Plainfield set the scene for their late summer brunch reception with extended family and friends.
As a history buff, I was in awe of the farmhouse that was built several years prior to Abraham Lincoln taking the presidency. The stone exterior was quarried from the surrounding area, mirroring the look of England’s historic structures with its light yellow hue.
And talk about an interior with character! The space is small but Plainfield’s settlers called this home…if these walls could talk. Imagine an aroma of wood fire, with scarred dark wood floors and eye-catching walls with stucco texture. We gravitated to the limited window light to capture a few dramatic portraits.
The bridal suite is situated in the modern addition to the property’s original structure. Floored with reclaimed barn wood from a New York State structure, the space is a chic farmhouse design. Here, stylists work their magic at three salon stations. And its cozy seating is perfect for sipping drinks with your favorite people.
A walk down the hallway brings you back to the original farmhouse.
Here, the guys have claimed the entire second floor, with three rooms and a full bathroom.
Outside, a picturesque summer afternoon began to emerge as the morning rain dried up and the clouds parted. The grounds were drenched in sunlight, while the tall trees dropped the last of the rain from their leaves. When the couple asked for a private first look, I was drawn to an open area at the back of the property, screened by evergreens and lined with manicured gardens.
We explored the structures on the property to stay dry and find shade from the high-noon light. I love the textures that the stone and wood provide. The annual gardens that line the property were abundant with vibrant, late summer blooms.
The main entrance to the Farmhouse Plainfield provides a grand welcoming to their foyer and opens up to the barn-influenced grand room.
Vaulted ceilings boast a huge fireplace that guide your eyes to the chic ring-light chandeliers. Windows encircle the ceiling and deliver fantastic natural light during a brunch wedding. This natural lighting is enhanced by neutral walls, creating an effortless backdrop for wedding portraits.
The bar area opens up to the dining area, where the cake was displayed on a farm-style cart. The first dance was flooded with natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows that open up to the patio and pergola.
The brunch ended with good times on the patio and a visit from a taco truck!
For Kristen and Peter, the Farmhouse Plainfield was perfect in every way, providing celebration and reflection on their pandemic wedding. I can’t wait for my next opportunity to work at this gorgeous Plainfield wedding venue!
#napervilleweddings #napervilleweddingphotographer #napervilleweddingphotography #chicagoweddingphotographer #weddingphotography
#naperville #napervillephotographer #napervillephotography #plainfield #plainfieldphotographer #chicagophotographer #chicago
Comments