I believe it was sometime in February when Emily connected with me about coordinating her mid-March wedding. With just weeks before her big day, she and Tom were beginning to realize that they may need a bit of additional help bringing together all of their fantastic DIY projects. I was happy to oblige, especially given their dream-team of vendors including
Fleur and
Amanda Hein Photography, and both the ceremony and reception taking place at
Galleria Marchetti--a location quite close to my
own heart :)
The morning began with the ladies getting hair and makeup done at Emily and Tom's immaculate condo in the West Loop. The decor even matched her wedding colors! The light was perfect and
Amanda expertly captured the details and activities of the day (though there was no hustle and bustle--it was one of the calmest wedding mornings I've been a part of!).
Once the gals were dressed, they grabbed their adorable
Fleur-designed pomanders (and Emily her lush peony and ranunculus bouquet) and headed out in their
Windy City Trolley to meet up with the boys for photos around the city.
The boys got dressed at
Courtyard Marriott (there was no "getting ready"
per se..dontcha just love men?) and walked to the Tribune Building for Emily and Tom's first look. The weather was about as flawless a spring day as you could ask for in March. Upper 50s and bright sunshine!
I always love the first look! :)
The portraits from this group were
so much fun! Emily had asked her bridesmaids each to wear a different brightly-colored shoe and jewelry of the bridesmaid's choosing with their navy dresses. What an adorable look--love it against the red door!
This was an especially good-looking bridal party, and they had a great rapport: the perfect combo for killer portraits :)
Before long it was time to head to
Galleria Marchetti for the ceremony.
Fleur really outdid themselves, and GM has made some great upgrades (including ceiling draping) since I had my wedding there. The backdrop at the end of the aisle and the string lights were expertly installed by
The Meetinghouse. I don't think the
Pavillion has ever looked better!
As guests began to arrive, friends and family added leaves to an painting of a tree which Emily and Tom used as a guest book (an
etsy purchase I believe!).
Female guests were each handed a pashmina scarf as they entered the room and were greeted by the sweet sounds of Amber, their singer and guitarist.
It was finally go-time. The bridal party lined up and processed down the aisle for a beautiful and heart-warming ceremony.
After the ceremony ended, it was time to party, and the wedding guests were eager to start! Cocktailing began in the Galleria Room while the
Marchetti staff flipped the Pavillion in record time. More of Emily and Tom's amazing details appeared: mad-libs for the guests to give advice to the couple (designed, along with the invitations and all other paper products, by Emily's bridesmaid Stephanie!), chalkboard seating charts made of old barn windows, and reclaimed barn-wood bar menus (p.s. the bride is selling some of those handmade items, so comment if you're interested in purchasing them!).
The
Fleur aisle arrangements were re-purposed for the dinner tables, and a
Meetinghouse lighting change made for a festive atmosphere.
Dinner flew by marked by speeches brimming with kind words and maybe a tear or two.
I think one of my favorite moments of the whole evening was seeing Emily dance with her dad. You could just imagine the little girl dancing on her dad's toes...
In a final grand gesture of wedding-awesomeness, Emily and Tom provided their guests with not only the decadent
More Cupcakes, but also a fully color-coordinated candy bar and...wait for it...a
HOT DOG CART!!
The rest of the evening was filled with dancing, merriment, and a whole lotta love. Thanks to
DJUj for the great MC-ing and fun music throughout the night.
Emily and Tom, I feel so lucky to have played a part in your magnificent wedding. You were a joy to work with, and I wish you many, many years of martial bliss. Congratulations!
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