Not just anyplace will do on your very special day. Check out these wonderful venues in Rockford, Ill., and learn how they can breathe life into your particular wedding dream. Photos by Nels Akerlund.
Simply Elegant
A touch of contemporary elegance marks a wedding reception at Franchesco’s Ristorante, 7128 Spring Creek Road. Choose from among several packages. A diverse menu provides ample choices, and cakes are custom-made with the finest ingredients. The banquet room seats around 250, or for a larger wedding, use both rooms and seat up to 400. Special rates are available for Friday and Sunday events, and ceremonies can be performed on-site before the reception.
Gown by Anna Brahmstedt Akerlund
Make-up by Megan Winterheimer
Jazzy and Sophisticated
The jazzy halls of Giovanni’s Restaurant & Convention Center, 610 N. Bell School Road, offer a trendy, sophisticated setting for your wedding festivities. Enjoy the hands-on, customizable menu prepared by Giovanni’s talented chefs, and a host of amenities. Arrange for a complimentary couples suite at one of two nearby hotels, where you also may arrange the perfect lodging for your out-of-town guests. Every step of the planning process is guided by Giovanni’s event coordinators.
Gown by Lynn Keyes
Hair by Kelly Sorn of 5 Spa
Glitz and Glamour
Enjoy a beautiful wedding inside Rockford’s crown jewel, the Coronado Theatre, 314 N. Main St. The historic stage provides the backdrop for your ceremony, before it’s transformed into a classy banquet hall for your reception. Up to 180 people may be accommodated for dinner parties, and all catering is handled through Royal Crown Events, Loves Park, Ill.
Gown by Anna Brahmstedt Akerlund
Make-up by Megan Winterheimer
Hair by Stephanie Rinaldo of Estillo Hair Salon
Touch of Paradise
Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road, offers a breathtaking and unique experience in the perfect outdoor setting. Host your ceremony in the Outdoor Pavilion or the Guest House, then tour the gardens for photographs with the wedding party. The dining room provides an exquisite setting for your reception, and includes many menu options. It can accommodate 150 dinner guests, or 175 for a cocktail reception. An outdoor pavilion wedding can hold up to 150 guests.
Gown by Anna Brahmstedt Akerlund
Make-up by Megan Winterheimer