Andrea and David’s story reads much like an Academy Award-winning movie plot. As high-school kids, they knew of each other and had mutual friends. When David, who was born in Paris and moved to the United States when he was 12, graduated, he moved to Los Angeles. At his going-away party the night before he left, he and Andrea spent hours talking and both realized there was something there, but events led them to opposite ends of the country—shortly after David went west, Andrea moved to New York.

But fate has a way of weaving magic into fairy tales, even in real life. In June 2006, Andrea’s twin sister married David’s best friend in the Bahamas, and it was in that heavenly setting that they met again and fell deeply in love. Sure, they had to do some cross-country dating for a few months, but soon enough, Andrea knew it was time to join David in Los Angeles, and about a year later, David popped the question at their favorite restaurant with everyone cheering them on, from the waitstaff to the clientele.

Luckily, Andrea is an event planner by profession, so she knew how to manage the six months before the wedding, which they both wanted back home in the Champaign area. They chose the Fu Dog Garden in Allerton Park because they had both enjoyed the spot when they lived in the area with their families.

The wedding dress came next. “I really didn’t know what I was looking for,” Andrea says, “but I wanted it to say ‘high drama.’ When I found this Kirstie Kelly dress in a little boutique in L.A., I just knew I’d found the right one.” Made of ivory satin with antique lace embellishments on the bodice and at the knee, the form-fitting mermaid dress was red-carpet ready.

The color scheme was black and white, which was accented with pops of yellow. “My bridesmaids all picked out their own dresses—all in the same Sour Lemon color—from J.Crew,” she says. All wore antique diamond brooches from their grandmothers for a touch of sentiment.

The cakes—all 16 of them—were made by Nothing Bundt Cakes in California. Guests could choose from red velvet, chocolate, chocolate chip, lemon, or white chocolate raspberry flavors.

“I did all the flowers myself,” Andrea says. “Since the Fu Dog is so beautiful, I really didn’t need a lot.” There were cream hydrangeas, cream roses, and mini calla lilies accented with black ostrich feathers that came from The Growers Box in Florida.

Since her father is an artist, it’s no surprise that Andrea inherited some of his creative genes, and she made all her own invitations.

LA Gourmet Catering in Champaign served filet mignon, pork tenderloin, and asparagus-stuffed chicken wrapped in bacon as entrées.

The reception was at Andrea’s family farm in St. Joseph; it has been in the family for all of its 135 years. The large barn was cleaned, renovated, and decorated for a reception that was close to home.

The most memorable part of the fairy-tale day? “The ceremony,” Andrea says without hesitation. “We wrote our own vows, and both our mothers read poems. Friends and relatives shared testimonials on love and gave us good advice. It was all really personal, and we’ll never forget it.”