Matt is the “little brother” of one of my best high school friends, so it was both an honor and also a bit of a shock to the system when he and his fiancée, Megan, reached out about helping to coordinate their wedding.  (So if you’re getting married…that makes me how old?!).

All kidding aside, Megan and Matt shared the most perfect wedding day back in October of last year.   We were thrilled to help with the details so they could fully immerse themselves in the joy of wedding day.

The morning began at the Kimpton Gray Hotel  for our bride and her bridal team.  Rachel Bauer from Rev Billy’s Chop Shop and Sarah from Blush and Braids Beauty Bar did a fantastic job with the ladies in the hair and makeup department.  Everyone looked beautiful, especially Megan!  The Spragues and Olson Film both husband and wife super-duos, captured all of the fun and excitement throughout the day.

The groomsmen were able to relax morning-of and had a low-key brunch at The Bandit in the West Loop.  They then headed back to the hotel for Megan and Matt’s first look on the gorgeous marble staircase at the Kimpton.  Matt looked dashing in his suit from Suit Supply while Megan’s elegant gown from Bella Bianca Oakbrook was the perfect blend of seductive and Cinderella.

They then joined their squad for some great photos throughout the city.

Meanwhile, the iconic Frank Lloyd Wright Rookery building was abuzz with Megan and Matt’s wedding team getting the space ready for ceremony.  Flowers by Stem provided the beautiful florals while Art of Imagination worked on the lighting and draping.  Before we knew it, the corporate lobby was transformed into a spectacular wedding space and was ready for guests!

Fitz, a friend of Megan and Matt’s, delivered an emotional, charming, and hilarious ceremony that brought smiles to everyone in the room.

After the ceremony, everyone went to the balcony to enjoy cocktails while the ceremony space was transformed for the reception.  The Spragues captured some iconic detail shots before opening up the room for dinner.  We love their eclectic choices for table names, from The Shire to Gotham City!  After a brief performance from Karl Knutson Boutique Entertainment (who was both emcee and our photo booth provider!), Megan and Matt were welcomed into the room with open arms.

Jewell Events Catering provided a delicious meal for all the guests.  After dinner, speeches, cake cutting, and first dances, the dance floor was open!  Megan and Matt’s friends and family were ready to get down, and boy, did they deliver!  It was such a lively, fun dance floor until the end of the evening.

Olson Film created this perfect recap of their wedding day.

Megan and Matt, is was a joy getting to know you throughout this process and your wedding at the Rookery was one of our all-time favorites!  Cheers!

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!

Katie and Bo’s wedding weekend went off without a hitch!

The day started with the ladies getting ready at Katie’s parents’ house, with a casual spread courtesy of Katie’s amazing hostess of a mother, and beautification by Deco Adamo Beautique.

When it came time for the group to make their way to the ceremony, Aries Charter was onsite to get the ladies (and gents!) to the church on time. Katie and Bo held their ceremony at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in La Grange, where Katie’s aunt (who happens to be her mother’s identical twin sister!) is a parishioner. The church was absolutely beautiful; perfectly grand for a traditional ceremony like this one.

I was thrilled to see that Katie and Bo had selected some of the Chicago-land area’s top musicians to help ensure their ceremony was one for the record books. Not only were they blessed with the beautiful voice of Bill Dwyer as their cantor, they worked with musicians from Choice Music Chicago to provide violin and trumpet, and the church’s pianist for the organ and piano. With recessional bagpipes by one of Chicago’s own Shannon Rovers, it was a ceremony sound to remember!

After the ceremony, everyone made their way to the Drake Oak Brook for the reception. Thanks to the beautiful fall weather, Katie and Bo were thrilled to be able to utilize the Drake’s Flower Room and adjoining patio for cocktail hour.

Peter Wynn Thompson was there to capture the gorgeous wedding party as sunlight started to wane, along with all the celebratory moments of the wedding day.

Carousel Flowers by Shamrock Garden in Elmhurst created all the floral, with wedding whites accentuated by deep maroon hues, and anemone (one of my all-time favorite flowers!)

Guests were soon invited into the Grand Ballroom at the Drake Oak Brook; the centerpieces beautifully complemented the gold and whites in the room. We loved how Katie and Bo used navy napkins to add some depth to the color palette.

Creative Cakes made a simple, multi-tiered cake adorned with a few simple blooms.

The reception energy was one of the highest we’ve seen in a long time! Clearly this crew had waited to be able to properly celebrate, and celebrate they did! The musical stylings of the Stu Hirsch Orchestra made for an amazing way to get everyone up and on the dance floor from the moment Katie and Bo walked in the room. A few songs between courses got this group ready to party!

Katie and Bo, it was a pleasure working with you to bring all the details together on your wedding day! We wish you years of happiness and love!