It’s always such a compliment when a member of a past client’s wedding party reaches out to book your services for her own wedding — and we were so excited to welcome Gina and Kevin to the Five Grain Events family! Gina was the maid of honor for Sara and Zach’s wedding last summer, and I was thrilled to be able to help her manage the details for her big day!
Gina and Kevin started the morning of their wedding day getting ready at the Embassy Suites Deerfield. Gina and her bridesmaids received hair and makeup services by Cheryl Gorey and Brittany Goluszka, and the charming and talented Michael Paul of Michael Paul Photography was there to document the day.

Michael Paul Photography

Michael Paul Photography

Michael Paul Photography
After getting ready, it was time to head over to the church for the ceremony; Gina and Kevin were staying separated until the moment Gina walked down the aisle, so our friends at M&M Transportation were on hand to escort the guys separately from Gina and her bridesmaids. Gina and Kevin chose St. Mary’s of Buffalo Grove to host their ceremony, and it was a beautiful setting for these two to start their lives as husband and wife.

Michael Paul Photography

Michael Paul Photography

Michael Paul Photography
Once the ceremony concluded and a few family photos were taken, the wedding party made their way to Chevy Chase Country Club. The golf course provided a gorgeous backdrop for portraits, and the weather was so beautiful for a late-April day!

Michael Paul Photography

Michael Paul Photography

Michael Paul Photography
Guests soon started arriving for cocktail hour, where they enjoyed delicious beverages and hors d’oeuvres. Gina and Kevin wanted to be sure to have a few unique elements to their wedding, and asked Meredith of Studio M. Creations to help them create place card booklets that included the menu and thank you message from the bride and groom. The couple also created their own “guest book,” using three different bottles displaying their wedding date for guests to store hand-written messages for the couple to open on their first anniversary.

Michael Paul Photography

Michael Paul Photography
Upon entering the main ballroom for the dinner reception, guests were treated to the beautiful floral arrangements by Fabbrini’s Flowers, and a striking cake from Lovin Oven Cakery.

Michael Paul Photography

Michael Paul Photography
Gina and Kevin were delighted by the loving and heartfelt speeches their friends and family members shared during dinner. Gina’s mom had a little surprise up her sleeve, and gave a presentation of sports team hats to some of the big (and opposing!) fans that were welcoming Kevin into the family. Thankfully, Gina and Kevin decided to add video services from Vanilla Video to capture their ceremony and reception, so they’ll always be able to listen to these thoughtful toasts.

Michael Paul Photography

Michael Paul Photography

Michael Paul Photography
Max from Style Matters DJs helped orchestrate the evening with his musical magic, expertly transitioning between cocktails, dinner, and dancing tunes. After the first dance, Max turned things up and got everyone out on the dance floor! Gina and Kevin had a surprise of their own for their guests — they added a drummer from Style Matters (the incomparable Ernie Adams), and it was a huge hit! The dance floor was packed with high-energy dancers all night long. One of our favorite touches to the wedding was the late-night snack from Superdawg. Hundreds of Chicago-style hot dogs with fries and all the fixins were delivered — to the guests’ delight — and provided some extra nourishment for dancing!

Michael Paul Photography

Michael Paul Photography

Michael Paul Photography

Michael Paul Photography
Gina and Kevin, it was so much fun being a part of your wedding! We wish you two years of happiness, and are so grateful you chose Five Grain Events to be involved with your big day.

Michael Paul Photography
[…] we would like to extend a very “Happy Anniversary!” to the lovely Gina and Kevin. They tied the knot last year at the Chevy Chase Country Club. We really enjoyed getting to […]