03.28.25 - Haley & Christian - Deerfield Country Club Wedding

Some weddings just feel like a homecoming, and for me, this one truly was.

I (Alicia) first met Christian and Haley about a year before their wedding, but our connection goes back much further, to high school. I graduated with Haley’s brother, and I had known Christian back then too. When they reached out, it felt less like a new client inquiry and more like a full-circle moment.

From our first meeting, it was clear they were down-to-earth, joy-filled, and deeply in love. They did have a vision for their wedding day, wanting something pretty, fun, and personal - they just needed someone to bring it to life! I think they chose Fancy Fox Events not only because of our past connection, but because they trusted me to handle everything: the logistics, the design, the vendor coordination - start to finish. I was all in, and so were they.

A Venue That Just Felt Right

Deerfield Country Club was truly the perfect fit for Christian and Haley. As an avid golfer, Christian had played there often, and even golfed with his groomsmen the morning of the wedding! The venue also offered seamless transitions between the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception, plus, distinct getting-ready spaces for both the bride and groom. That kind of thoughtful layout really helps the whole day flow beautifully.

A Design Rooted in Personality

Haley and Christian’s vision was simple, elegant, and full of heart. The design palette featured colors of dusty blue, green, and soft whites - timeless, romantic, and fresh. But beyond the colors, what they really wanted was for their day to feel like them and their love for one another: warm, joyful, and intimate.

They kept their guest count to around 80, which allowed them to be fully present with the people who mattered most. That intimacy gave us the freedom to focus intently on the details - abundant, lush florals (thanks to the incredible Twisted Vine Floral Design), personalized decor, and thoughtful moments that told their story.

Haley came into the planning process with a few inspiration images, and from there, we built a full custom design board, translating her ideas into cohesive visuals. Whether it was adding tiny bow details to the welcome sign or including pearls on the place cards (a nod to her pearl-embellished dress), every detail was intentional.

One of my favorite touches was a hand-crocheted sign made by a friend, perfectly matching their blue-and-white motif. We placed it at the welcome table - a small but incredibly meaningful feature that guests noticed and loved.

Creative Solutions for a Big Space with a Small Guest Count

One unique challenge we faced mid-way through the planning journey was tackling the reception floor plan. Deerfield is a very beautiful venue, but its ballroom is quite spacious - with only 80 guests, we wanted to avoid it feeling too empty.

Our solution? Mix and match table shapes and sizes. We doubled up rectangular tables to give them a more substantial presence and to allow for larger floral installations. We also had a large bar, dessert table, and photo booth added which helped to balance out the space. The result was a cozy, dynamic room that still felt full and vibrant without being overcrowded.

Wedding Day Magic

One of my favorite moments of any wedding day is the reception room reveal. It’s so special to see the design you’ve been working on for months come together to be viewed through the eyes of the couple, and Christian and Haley’s reaction was unforgettable! We brought them in before guests entered, eyes closed, and when they opened them? Haley screamed my name and literally jumped with joy!. She was in awe of how everything had turned out. That joy - that validation - is why I do this.

There were so many fun and personal touches sprinkled throughout the day that we were so excited for Haley, Christian, and their guests to experience. For example, we did a petal toss at the end of the ceremony (a first for me!) with guests tossing petals from little cones as the couple walked back down the aisle. Another being that during the reception, one of their guests surprised everyone (including me) by serenading them with an incredible live performance, and we can’t forget their beloved cats that made a cameo in the photo booth props!

The Vendor Dream Team

Venue & Catering: Deerfield Country Club

Photography: Alli McGrath Photography – Alli is a past bride of mine and a joy to work with!

Florals: Twisted Vine Floral Design – I trusted them and their expertise for my own wedding as well!

Videography: Sean Fisher Productions – Sean always tells each couple’s story so beautifully!

DJ & Photobooth: Power Play Entertainment

** Special shoutout to the amazing staff at Deerfield - especially Ryan - who helped us execute the day so smoothly. The collaborative energy with all of the vendors truly made all the difference!

Reflections & Takeaways

If I could describe this wedding in three words, it would be…

Floral-Filled. Timeless. Joyful.

If there’s one thing I hope future couples take away from this wedding, it’s that intimacy doesn’t mean simplicity. You don’t need a huge guest count to make a big impact. With intentional design, creative layout, and a little bit of heart, even the grandest spaces can feel warm and personal.

This wedding reminded me of why I do what I do. The joy in Haley’s eyes, the gratitude from her family, the happy tears at the end of the night - that’s the magic of this work. It’s not just about pretty things, (though there were plenty!) - it’s about love, trust, and celebrating something real.

Sweet words from Haley…

“Alicia and the Fancy Fox team truly made our wedding unforgettable. From our first meeting, Alicia immediately made us feel comfortable and took the time to truly see our vision. During the planning process, Alicia always answered every question no matter how big or small. Not once during planning did we feel overwhelmed or underprepared. Every single detail was thought out while still keeping us on budget. On our wedding day, she truly blew me away. Not once did I feel stressed about vendors, timelines or any last minute emergencies. Thanks to Fancy Fox, I felt so in the moment on our day because of their meticulous planning. Our wedding looked even better than my Pinterest boards , all thanks to Fancy Fox and their keen eye for detail. All of our guests raved about how smoothly the event went. Everyone loved Alicia's idea to use my florals for bouquets at the end of the night. We are forever grateful to share our wedding with the best planners ever!!”

Full Vendor List

Venue, Catering, Bar & Desserts: Deerfield Country Club

Planning & Design: Fancy Fox Events

Photography: Alli McGrath Photography

Videography: Sean Fisher Productions

Florals: Twisted Vine Floral Design

Music & Photo Booth: Power Play Entertainment

Hair & Make Up: Colored by Madison

Cake: Desserts by Dana

Transportation: Delaware Limo

Hotel: Hyatt Place Newark

Bridal Gown & Shoes: Claire’s Fashions