Ashlei and Derrick wanted an outdoor ceremony, and while researching venues in Chicago, they came across the Garfield Park Conservatory. They loved that the venue had space for both an outdoor ceremony and an indoor reception; the lush greenery also helped Derrick feel like he was back home in Florida. Mark Federighi Photography captured all the fun moments from this vibrant and light-hearted celebration, and Ashlei and Derrick both agree that the most memorable part of their big day was the ceremony itself — being surrounded by incredible scenery and all the people they care for dearly.

The Couple:

Ashlei and Derrick

The Wedding:

Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago, Illinois

We approached planning our wedding more as a big party than a traditional wedding ceremony and reception. We wanted it to be fun, light-hearted, and full of laughter as that’s how we viewed our relationship not only with each other, but also with our friends and family, and we wanted to capture that in our big day.

The ceremony was definitely the most memorable part of the day. The scenery and being surrounded by all the people who we cared for dearly created this energy that was overflowing with love. It’s hard to fully put into words the magic that was our ceremony but it definitely left a mark.

I knew I wanted an outdoor ceremony and while during some research on venues in Chicago I came across the Garfield Park Conservatory. It was everything I could ask for in a venue – an outdoor space for the ceremony with an indoor space that still felt like you were outside for the reception. It also made Derrick feel like he was back home in Florida with all the greenery, so it was pretty much a perfect match!

We gave out mini mason jars of coffee paired with a mini bag of donut holes. We wanted to give favors that really represented us but were also something people would use. And since we’re kind of coffee snobs we thought it’d be fun to offer our favorite coffee blend and donuts, because who doesn’t love coffee and donuts?

Don’t sweat the details. You hear this all the time, we heard it throughout our planning process and it turns out it’s true! No one is going to remember what exact flower you had in your bouquet or what color the table cloths were, but they will remember the overall vibe was and how your wedding made them feel.

Many thanks to Mark Federighi Photography for sharing Ashlei and Derrick’s Garfield Park Conservatory wedding with Junebug. Love their venue? Take a look at this industrial garden wedding inspiration at Garfield Park Conservatory!