Hilary and Jeremy were such a joy to work with.  Jeremy initially reached out since he an Joan had gone to high school together to discuss a December 2020 wedding (which obviously didn’t go exactly as planned). When they finally tied the knot this spring, they were so ready to celebrate amongst their family and friends.  The day did not disappoint; there were so many special customized elements that really showed us who they are as a couple.

The day started at the Hyatt House in the West Loop neighborhood of Chicago.  There was great energy flowing through the room while everyone got ready.  Hilary’s hair team was led by Ronda Boertmann and her makeup was done by Julia from Shannon O’Brien makeup.  Hilary’s gorgeous dress was perfected by the ladies at The Workroom at Belle.   Jeremy was in a nearby room enjoying Manny’s Deli and the company of his groomsmen after far-too-long of a year apart.

After finishing getting ready, the couple met for their first look.  The anticipation in their eyes was so exciting!  When they finally saw one another, it was a beautiful moment.  Ed & Aileen Photography caught these stunning images.

After the first look, the bridal party boarded the bus from Windy City Limo to take photos throughout the city.  The April weather cooperated which made for some nice photos next to Lake Michigan.

Everyone then headed to City View Loft  for the official festivities!  Since we were still limited in the number of people who could gather together, Jamie from Luxe Productions provided live streaming for the event so friends from far away could celebrate virtually.  The ceremony was beautifully officiated by Jeremy’s brother and accentuated by violin performances by Hilary’s students from South Side Suzuki.  The decor and floral arrangements, done by Romee Willow Florals, were absolutely stunning.

While guests enjoyed delicious bites and cocktails from LM Catering, Hilary and Jeremy took a quiet moment to themselves upstairs.  We loved the adorable lounge grouping they chose from Bowery & Bash.  After their moment alone, they practiced their dance routine in the space where they would share dinner with their friends and family.

Guests then moved upstairs at City View Loft to a beautifully decorated reception space for dinner.  Guests enjoyed their meals and then watched Hilary and Jeremy do their first dance (they knocked it out of the park, no surprise there!).  Since COVID protocols at that time did not allow an open dance floor, Hilary and Jeremy got creative and hosted their very own trivia night emceed by Green Line Talent and the groom himself. In addition to trivia, they also participated in the “wedding shoe game” where they sat back-to-back and lifted their respective shoes in answer to a series of questions about their relationship.  Lots of funny moments!

Hilary and Jeremy, it was a joy to work with you and get to know you both as a couple.  You definitely bring out the best in one another.  We wish you many many years of married bliss.  Cheers!

While things may not have looked like the wedding they imagined back when we started working with Lisa & Michael and their parents, the celebration that took place this past March was nothing short of delightful. The love that surrounded this happy couple and their families was evident in every detail. Lisa’s mother, in particular, was excited to finally be celebrating this party they’d been planning for so long!

While Lisa and Michael were officially married on their original wedding date in Spring 2020,  they were eager to share their vows at Madonna della Strada, the chapel at their alma mater, Loyola University Chicago. Wedding day morning started with everyone getting ready at Lisa’s parents’ home. The ladies of Zano Salon ensured Lisa and her attendants all looked and felt beautiful. Thanks to Windy City Limo everyone made it to the church on time for their ceremony.

Madonna della Strada is perfectly placed on Loyola’s lakeside campus. The views are picture-perfect, and Michael and Lisa were lucky enough to have clear skies on their wedding day. Photographer Peter Wynn Thompson was on point for this gorgeous setting, and captured some truly memorable moments for the newlyweds

We are always delighted to work at MDS; the organ is magnificent, and the team organizing each event is cheerful, friendly, and oh-so-detailed.

Lisa and her father have one of those very sweet father-daughter relationships that melts your heart. It was such a special moment to watch them finally get to have the much-anticipated walk down the aisle!

Loyola has a special place in this family’s heart, so I know it was meaningful to them to be able to take these photos at the altar. With a fully vaccinated group, they were able to de-mask safely to have a memory to treasure forever.

After the church ceremony, the family made their way to Harry Caray’s in Rosemont for an intimate celebration. Lisa and Michael were definitely ready to let loose and have some fun now that the “official” task of the day was behind them.

They shared their first dance with the musical stylings of David Rothstein Music. David was such a pleasure to have onsite; his friendly demeanor and light-hearted jokes always make for a great evening for all the guests.

Lisa’s dad’s toast was perfect — a lovely combination of adoration for his daughter, welcoming Michael to the family, and sharing a more personal side of the evolution of their relationship.

Michael’s dad shared a few words as well; it was evident how overjoyed these two families were to come together and celebrate this special couple.

Michael’s best man Awais’s toast was one of the best we’ve heard! This is obviously a friendship that has withstood the test of time. It was beautifully prepared — thoughtful, funny, tear-inducing, and full of respect for Lisa and Michael’s relationship. Michael couldn’t have asked for a better friend to be by his side on this special day.

Lisa’s best friend and maid of honor has been a dear friend since they were young. We love hearing from a bridesmaid who has been by the bride’s side since childhood — it really helps the rest of the guests get a full sense of the person she’s become.

There were personal touches all throughout the decor. These wine bottles fit with fairy lights were created for one of Lisa’s showers, and were repurposed to bring a little extra warmth to the room.

Steve’s Flower Market did such a beautiful job incorporating the purple and blue hues into Lisa and Michael’s floral. The bouquets and centerpieces were stunning!

I’m a big fan of wedding videography; I think there’s something special about being able to go back years down the road to revisit your big day, and find yourself enjoying the details all over again. There’s an energy that sometimes you just can’t capture with photos alone! Luckily, Lisa and Michael had Leap Weddings to document their special day.

Congratulations, Lisa and Michael! It was such a pleasure to work with you both and your families to help you finally get to celebrate your union. We wish you all the best!