Amanda & Spencer: A Timeless Summer Celebration at The Armour House

There is something truly magical about a late summer wedding on Chicago’s North Shore. Amanda and Spencer’s wedding on September 1, 2023, was a masterclass in elegance and emotion, bridging the modern comfort of the Westin Chicago North Shore with the historic grandeur of The Armour House in Lake Forest.

The Heart of the Story

What made this film stand out was a deeply personal narrative element: the couple’s letters to one another. At our suggestion, Amanda and Spencer read their letters aloud, letting us weave their own voices into the soundtrack of their film, a moving, intimate backdrop to the day’s visual highlights that delivered their messages exactly as they intended.

A Day of Elegance

The morning began at the Westin in Wheeling, filled with the quiet anticipation of hair and makeup by Marissa Flood. As the wedding party moved to the grounds of The Armour House, we captured a first look that moved from the lush outdoor gardens to the venue’s iconic grand staircase.

Garden I-Dos and a Grand Reception

The ceremony was held outdoors in the garden under soft afternoon light. Following a cocktail hour on the patio, guests moved inside for a reception with a classic cake cutting, warm welcome toasts, heartfelt speeches from the maid of honor and best man, and a first dance followed by traditional father-daughter and mother-son dances.

From the quiet morning preparations to late-night snacks and shuttle departures, every moment reflected the love and care Amanda and Spencer put into their day.

The Creative Team

Videography: 312FILMS
Venue: The Armour House at Lake Forest Academy
Photography: Lauryn Schalk
Floral Design: Polly’s Petals
Makeup: Marissa Flood Makeup

Congratulations, Amanda and Spencer! See another celebration at Jennifer & Rock’s Armour House wedding.

Planning an Armour House wedding? Check your date →