My fiancee and I stopped by for what I thought would be a simple garden tour of "yet another possible venue" for our wedding ceremony.

We were greeted at a gate by a man that gave us the impression that he very much wanted to show us around, but only after he concluded the historical tour that he was currently half-way through, this was paramount.

Naturally, we crashed the later half of the tour of the Weber House and were instantly delighted with the impossible charm that this storybook house boasts. As Ted continued to give his tour, I slowly found myself coming about the realization that he is no average tour guide, he is not your everyday local historian, and he is certainly not your average horticulturalist.

Ted Weber IS the Weber House & Garden. He is very modest about the incredible life that he has lived and the storied family home that has brought local celebrity to the town of Streator.

As the historical tour concluded and our personal walk of the gardens began, it became incredulously clear that this man has hand placed every perennial, carefully cultivated each individual annual, and meticulously turned what once was just "and average back lot" into the most enchanting roomed gardens that I have ever had the privilege of walking through.

He spent over two hours with us speaking of his personal work within the property, both the accomplishments and the hurdles he faces. Ted spoke of the laborious tasks that are necessary to maintain the level of horticultural professionalism that is his English styled gardens and we could not help falling in love with his life's story and his family's rightfully proud property.

It's his personal touch that is present in every square foot of this property, his passion for evoking an individual connection with every guest around every corner, his curated wit that just happens to find itself employed at every available opportunity. This is what makes the Weber House & Garden the crown jewel of Streator, Illinois. It is my hope that the citizens of Streator and their elected officials realize the gift that Ted Weber has preserved for their community before it is all too late. After all, it is not often that the artist is still around to speak of his life's work.

Bring a friend or two and come take a personal tour with Ted of his childhood home. I know he'd appreciate your visit and trust me, it's impossible to regret.

With all of that being said - we are most defiantly booking with Ted Weber for our wedding. After meeting this legend and learning of the incredible history that breaths magic into an otherwise quaint two acre property; it's safe to say that we couldn't imagine having the honor of being wed anywhere else.