By Ashley South
Newly engaged and planning a wedding? Congratulations! We are thrilled for you and went on the hunt for a luxe location for you and your 200 guests. Located on a four-acre historic property just outside Naperville, The Farmhouse has plenty of indoor and outdoor space, along with a sprawling layout. On the property, is the oldest house in Plainfield, called the Little House, which dates to the 1840s, and can be used as a space for the bar and to display the wedding cake. The main house is from the 1850s and serves as the front entrance to the newly built venue space behind it. Both homes were built of limestone and their updates balance the historical significance of the structures. The owners, Glen and Lisa Delerosa, had a personal hand in the site’s renovation including the stylish lighting, one-of-a-kind reclaimed pieces, and garden design. If “Midwestern Elegance” is a thing, The Farmhouse epitomes it.
© Rachel Watson
Because a large affair requires a lot of planning, we reached out to Ashley Massat and Hailey Bayer, the event coordinators for the space. They sat down with us in the middle of an already hectic schedule to talk about the space and how it awes them daily. Both event planners have been with the space since the second half of 2021. Since that time and because of the property’s unique space, The Farmhouse has been operating at full capacity. As of this writing, they are booked Fridays through Sundays from April 2022 through November 2023.
The Farmhouse encompasses 20,000 square feet of entertaining space: 10,000 of that is outside and the main building is 7,000 square feet. The lush garden is filled with annuals, perennials, newer trees, and some that look as old as the farmhouses. There are also eight patios, four outdoor fireplaces, and two open-air ceremony sites. Each reservation is for the full day. You can start your day with your bridesmaids and have breakfast in the bridal suite at 9:00 am. And, men are not left out, as the designated Groom Suite is the entire upstairs of the original farmhouse. Cater lunch at noon while you take your time to get ready and have one final dance party with your sister and college best friends. And say “I do” with everyone you care about watching while the sun sets through the large windows.
The Farmhouse
© Kate Kaplan
Ashley and Hailey describe the space as your canvas to paint. The floors are 200-year-old reclaimed barn wood from seven different barns across the country; glinting crystal chandeliers hang from the ceilings; and custom woodwork provides nooks to steal a post-worthy selfie of you enjoying your day. You are provided with traditional round tables or custom 10’ farm tables made by the Delarosas themselves. Clear chiavari chairs sparkle when light hits them through the expansive windows. After that, you (or you and your event planner) consider the details to make your day unique to your vision.
You can bring in antique glassware and mercury glass vases for the centerpieces. All decorations and flowers are your choosing. Catering recommendations are available via a vendor list, or you could delight your guests with a series of food trucks! The venue is BYOB which means you can bring in top liquor without the hefty price tag. (A steady stream of Veuve Clicquot Bellini’s for the win!) Do you want to hire an Irish musician to sing during cocktail hour? We are doing a jig! Pet owners: you are not excluded. The Farmhouse is pet-friendly. They have had weddings with dogs, horses, and even a turtle. Hailey tells us, “When the couple brings in their pets, they are a part of their day just like any other guest. I loved watching one bride already at the altar when her dog came in, and he let out this little bark that made all the guests laugh.” Make your day special and exactly as you want it!
The Farmhouse
© Eight Hands
For the planners, the best days they have is when the bride walks up with tears in her eyes and just says thank you and that this is the best day of her life. When thinking about the perfect space for your guests that allows you to create the wedding of your dreams in a huge space, look no further. The little details will thrill you and your guests. The Farmhouse is your spot for the best of the new way to host a large event.
The Farmhouse
12729 S Naperville Road
Plainfield
thefarmhouseplainfield.com
