When I first had a conversation with Bridget about her 300+ guest celebration at Butterfield it was in the early parts of 2021. On my agenda for that week was likely a series of other conversations with 2020 reschedules who were either postponing for a second (or third, or fourth) time or deciding to forego their receptions all together. It seemed inconceivable to be thinking about bringing together a group of that size when gatherings were restricted to 25 people! However, as soon as Bridget mentioned her plans for a lighthearted Valentine’s-themed wedding I was hooked.  I am so thrilled we were able to make this incredibly unique and fun celebration happen for such an amazing couple.

The morning was filled with boundless energy as the ladies hung out in their Valentine’s jammies and enjoyed some mimosas.  It was a bright and beautiful day outside and we knew it was going to be a fun one!  Bridget’s hairstyle was by the incomparable Alex Brown while Erin Graham and team took care of the rest of the wedding party.  To round out the glam squad, Joey Claeyssen and his artists took care of makeup for the crew.  Everyone truly looked stunning! Kerri Carlquist and Aaron Bean ensured every moment was captured for posterity.

Meanwhile, Brian and his gents were at the Ritz Carlton enjoying an easy morning before it was time to meet up for photos!

Bridget put on her gown with her mom and sisters.  Her “reveal” moment with her bridesmaids was a favorite. Obviously Bridget looked gorgeous and I just loved all the fun reactions from her incredible group of ladies.

When Bridget and Brian shared their first look stepping out of the vintage Rolls Royce from CelebLux Limos, you would never have known temperatures were well below freezing.  Thankfully the group was able to catch a handful outdoor pics before jumping in their vehicles to head to the church.

Holy Name was the perfect setting for this grand occasion and the service was beautiful.  Father Jack Wall presided and as a friend of the family, he shared many personal anecdotes about the couple.

Guests and wedding party alike boarded buses from Way to Go Limousine to head to Butterfield Country Club for the reception.  The epic Valentine’s celebration was about to begin!

Avant Gardenia knocked the decor out of the park.  As I mentioned, at the start Bridget was looking for a “light” Valentine’s theme…but Jenna and I were able to convince her that you have to go all in and we are SO glad she took our advice.  Cocktail hour featured a Photo Booth by Magic Moment with this custom “kissing both” display placed in front.  Could not have been more adorable! Guests were treated to Valentines as escort cards (thanks, Greenstar Paperie!) and signature cocktails with a pink cloud of cotton candy on top.

Inside the ballroom, the space had been transformed: a white vinyl dance floor with a heart B&B logo, a floral stage front and an incredible 3-dimensional band backdrop with candy hearts, a giant carnation heart in front of the sweetheart table, several different tabletop concepts, and a cake by The Pastry Palace with a mini replica of their dog Dutch taking a little bite out of the cake.  Bridget was in awe when she walked in, and her vendor team were all ECSTATIC with how perfectly everything came together.

Following a delightful meal served by Butterfield Country Club, the bride and groom were toasted by many friends and family members.  Because the Catholic Church doesn’t allow couples to write their own vows, after cutting their cake Bridget and Brian shared their personal vows to one another on the dance floor and they were as memorable as could be (Bridget is actually a ghost writer for wedding toasts, so clearly she had some experience in this genre!)!

Finally it was time to PARTY! Rod Tuffcurls and The Bench Press was on hand to kick off dancing and the party did not stop until the wee hours of the morning.  Guests got a chance to take home some human cookies OR some special doggie treats for their pups, courtesy of Dutch.

Absolutely LOVED this video short Aaron Bean created.

Bridget and Brian, it was a total pleasure getting to know you. Can’t wait to hear about all your upcoming adventures!

It seems like a lifetime ago that Blair first reached out to connect about working with her and Lev on planning their wedding. I had been working with Blair’s sister, Sydney, on planning her wedding that was one of our first 2020 postponements, and so had been working with the family for over a year at that point.

Actually, Blair’s first “Wedding #2!” email came on the exact day in May of 2020 when my youngest child arrived on the scene! Things were so wild back then–the stay at home order firmly in place, everyone trying to work and school and…be a newborn from home. In retrospect I’m not sure how we were able to actually find a time or place connect (virtually) but we did and plans were set in motion to find the perfect date and location for Blair and Lev’s wedding.

Once some restrictions were lifted, we were able to visit their top choice venues in early July and we landed on Galleria Marchetti for an autumn 2021 celebration. It all culminated in October of last year with a glorious celebration for the happy couple.

Wedding day morning kicked off at the Renaissance Hotel with an abundant spread of breakfast foods and hair and makeup by the incomparable Nika Vaughan Bridal Artists team. The atmosphere was relaxed as everyone enjoyed the gorgeous views overlooking the Chicago River.

Mary from Steve’s Flower Market delivered the most gorgeous white floral bouquets and things started to get real! Smiling Toad and Caitlin Lisa Photography captured all the special moments of the gals and guys prepping for the big day.

One of my favorite moments was watching Blair’s dad walk in and get choked up seeing his daughter in her stunning gown. As a parent myself, watching the first look with dad and daughter never fails to get me all misty eyed.

Blair soon shared her first look with Lev, and then it was time to hop in their vehicle from Windy City Limo for some photos around town with the wedding party. The bridesmaids’ deep emerald dresses were show-stoppers!

Meanwhile, Galleria Marchetti was getting all gussied up for the occasion. MDM brought in some beautiful draping and lighting accents. Steve’s prepared a stunning chuppah, and I loved the position we chose for the ceremony set on an angle for the most lush and verdant fall background in GM’s stunning courtyard.

Soon guests began to arrive and we prepared for the start of the chuppah ceremony with the ketubah signing. Outside, the ceremony musicians from Stitely Entertainment played a wide array of musical selections from Guns ‘N Roses to The Beatles to Pachelbel’s Canon as the wedding party made their way down the aisle. The service was officiated by Rabbi Wendi Geffen who presided over a lovely and personal Jewish ceremony.

Once Blair and Lev were officially hitched, guests enjoyed the crisp fall weather (with a little help from some patio heaters) along with some cocktails and hors d’oeuvres from Galleria Marchetti.

After cocktail hour, guests were treated to a delightful meal interspersed with heartfelt toasts from parents, siblings, and friends. Stitely Entertainment played their hearts out while guests bopped between the dance floor, pizza and craft beer station, s’mores in the fire pit, and a sweets station from Bittersweet.  The whole event was brimming with Blair and Lev’s personality and was a true testament to their love.

Smiling Toad captured the whole day expertly:

Blair and Lev, it was a pleasure celebrating with you and getting to share in your joy.  Mazel Tov!

From my first chat with Meg’s mom, Maureen, I knew this was going to be a blast of a wedding.  There was so much joy in her voice as she described plans for her daughter, Meg, and her soon-to-be son-in-law, Sanjay’s Labor Day Weekend celebration!  When the big day arrived it was just as fun as we had imagined.

Wedding day morning was easy-peasey.  Meg’s bridesmaids got their hair done at Zazu Salon before returning to the Hilton Oak Brook Hills to get dressed and ready.  My longtime pal, Rebecca, of Rebecca Marie Photography met us at the hotel to capture all the prep.  Sanjay spent the morning at the driving range with his groomsmen and then decided to keep his “getting ready” time quiet before all the excitement of the day began.

The midwest celebration was “Part 2” of the wedding festivities–the California wedding (where Sanjay hails from) had been a couple weeks prior–and so many of their details had been meticulously planned down to Sanjay’s custom cufflinks engraved with each wedding date.

Sanjay and Meg shared their first look at Butterfield Country Club.  The rain had been teasing us all day long, but it stopped just before the crew took photos all around the property.  The bouquets created by The English Garden were bursting with bright and joyful colors.  I just loved Meg’s tea length dress.

The ceremony, held under a stately tree glowing with cafe lights, was perfectly tailored to the couple.  Guests waved colorful ribbons to celebrate the bride and groom once they made it official.

The reception was held in Butterfield’s tent.  You couldn’t have picked more perfect details for a summertime celebration.  From the crisp sky blue table linens, to the brilliant floral arrangements, to (my favorite addition) the table numbers hand-painted by the bride’s mother, it was certainly one to remember.

Following a delicious dinner and some truly heartfelt toasts, Talk of the Town Big Band kicked off and kept the dance floor filled until the end of the night (and then some!).

Meg and Sanjay, you two were a joy to work with and it was such a pleasure getting to be welcomed into your families for the weekend.  Cheers to many many years of celebration!