With each wedding, we see things the guests and couple might not – here’s what was happening behind the scenes while you were getting married!
Anissa’s mom was instrumental in planning this red-white-and-blue Independence Day celebration. She arrived for a walkthrough carrying her notes, her car full of fun things. We toured the event spaces at the Newberry Library together, catching a peek at the reception hall being set up for that day’s wedding.
Traci and Luke’s city wedding at Old St. Pat’s Church and The Tasting Room was definitely a party! Check out some eye candy from the day and of the handsome newlyweds!
Kate and Mark were married at St. Linus Church in June 2010. Kate was a super organized bride, she knew what she wanted and did all of the planning herself. She hired me to run the rehearsal for her (this is something I have found that almost everyone dreads) and then coordinate the ceremony and a cocktail party that Kate’s parents hosted in between the ceremony and reception. DiNolfo’s took care of the rest!
It was so fun to be at Kate’s parents’ house with them in the morning while Kate was getting ready:
This is Mark. This is how guys get ready for their wedding day. I am jealous. I actually met Mark last year at another wedding I was coordinating. Mark owns Trailing Edge Media and really saved the day when there was a big ol’ technological glitch at that wedding. He must of thought I wasn’t so bad myself–I was so happy to get an email from Kate a few weeks later about their own wedding!
Since they were both all dolled up and ready to go, we headed over to St. Linus in Oak Lawn. Kate had all the details ready to go:
It was one of the hottest, stickiest days of the year. Right about when Kate and Mark were saying I do, a monsoon started. Literally. A crack of lighting made the lights in the church flicker on and off and winds were throwing patio furniture around Kate’s parents’ backyard. But Kate and Mark just carried on.
I’m always amazed at photographers ability to catch these great expressions:
Congrats to the beautiful couple and thanks for letting me take part in your amazing day!
*Glossy photos courtesy of Danielle Aquiline Photography
Kate + Mark’s Vendors:
Ceremony: St. Linus Catholic Church
Reception, Catering: DiNolfo’s Banquets
Cake: Naples Bakery
Photography: Danielle Aquiline Photography
Videography: JJ with Orange Video Productions
Florist: ZuZu’s Petals
DJ: Spencer with Style Matters
Ceremony music: Panache Entertainment
Makeup artist: Maggie & Sonia with Sonia Roselli Makeup Studio
Hair: Holly Kasprisin & Erica Anderson
Transportation: Chicago Trolley
Day-of Coordination: Anticipation Events
Melissa and Alan were married at Hotel Orrington in Evanston, Illinois in April 2010. Firstly, they planned this shindig all the way from New York. Secondly, it was fabulous. They are both so calm and down-to-earth, you would have thought they got married every weekend.
Kevin Weinstein and his team took some gorgeous shots of Melissa, Alan and their bridal party getting ready along with some beautiful and unexpected detail shots (which as a planner, I wholeheartedly love).
They had their first look before the ceremony and were able to get some great pictures before they signed their ketubah.
A smootch for good luck and it was down the aisle to say I do.
Melissa and Alan made the invitations, programs and menu cards and Scarlet Petal created centerpieces for the reception and an amazing chuppah for the ceremony.
As Melissa walked down the aisle somehow her veil was pulled right off her head. She quickly and deftly grabbed it and stuck it back on like a rock star. She was so great at going with the flow and adapting. Probably not something most brides think about beforehand right?
Back down the aisle as Mr. & Mrs. and ready to start the party!
When we were working on their time line for the day, Melissa had written “and then Toast & Jam plays the longest hora ever for Melissa.” I think they followed instructions well. It was the most amazing hora I have ever seen. Proof:
It was a total emotional overload. I had goosebumps of excitement, I was cracking up laughing and it soon turned to panic as Alan’s friends were throwing him so high and far off the chair I thought I might have to call an ambulance. He was loving every minute of it.
This post is extremely belated as I really wanted to post their wedding video from I Do Films. The edited version isn’t quite done yet so stay tuned for a follow up post with that deliciousness.
Thanks so much to Melissa and Alan for being so much fun to work with and congratulations on throwing such a fantastic party!
*All photo credits belong to the talented Kevin Weinstein Photography
Melissa + Alan’s Vendors:
Ceremony & Reception: Hotel Orrington
Catering: Hotel Orrington
Photography: Kevin Weinstein Photography
Videography: I Do Films
Florist: Scarlet Petal
DJ: Kate & Rachel with Toast & Jam
Cake: Take the Cake
Sweets Table: The Bent Fork Bakery
Makeup artist: Dana Armstrong
Hair: Livia Corporal
Day-of Coordination: Anticipation Events
Pam and Aaren tied the knot in April at the Lilydale First Baptist Church and then celebrated with friends and family at the International House on the University of Chicago campus. A wedding at the University of Chicago is fitting for a relationship that began while they were both attending school there!
I have to potentially embarrass Aaren here and mention was a stinking sweetheart he is. 99.9% of the time, I get calls and emails from the bride and then continue to have a lot of contact with the bride throughout the planning process. It seems the groom usually takes on the music, the food or the ever-important bar selection. Most of the grooms I’ve worked with have certainly been involved in the planning and invested in seeing the day come together, but for some odd reason, creating time lines and vendor lists and floor plans with a day-of coordinator usually falls to the bride. But not Aaren.
He made the initial contact with me and we emailed and chatted on the phone several times before I even met Pam. He wanted to hire me as a gift for Pam. HELLO!? Most thoughtful idea ever, right? I have to say, I was smitten. I wanted them as clients, stat.
I found out there are both wicked smarty-pants and their day jobs (as engineers) kept them both pretty busy without a lot of time for gratuitous wedding planning. The week of the wedding I met Pam for a gelato and to swap a bunch of things from her car to mine. When I was going through them that night to make sure I had everything I realized she had me fooled the entire time. There I was thinking she was a right-brained rocket scientist, only to open a box and find the most gorgeous paper: textured and luxe, handcrafted into table numbers and menus. Then I opened another and found petite purple boxes with contrasting ribbons tied IN THE MOST PERFECT KNOTS with the MOST PERFECT ANGLED ENDS ever. Inside were the most delicious truffles I have ever eaten (I promise she said I could have one. She practically made me.) What a woman.
They had their first look at spent the afternoon at a few places in Hyde Park that are special to them as a couple.
The next day I had the pleasure of meeting a lot of their family members. They were both lucky enough to have grandparents celebrate with them that day and an adorable nephew who hammed it up for the camera while he waited for his big moment carrying the rings down the aisle.
They said their I do’s and commenced party time!
Pam’s sister gave a heartwarming toast that brought everyone to tears. Then Aaren’s best man had everyone laughing with his toast about just exactly how laid-back and chill Aaren is.
He finished the toast talking about their relationship and how he aspires to have what they have: the kindness and respect they show each other, the fun they have, the support they give each other and the way they make each other feel. How it’s immediately apparent to anyone around them how in love they are. And I think on any given day and especially on your wedding day, those are beautiful words to hear.
I know that grand exits are popular and also make great photo opportunities. But Pam and Aaren were the last two people at their reception. They said goodbye to each one of their guests as they left the reception. While we were blowing out candles and clearing off tables, the DJ played one last song, just for them, and Pam and Aaren had the most romantic “second” dance as a couple ever. Ever. Sometimes the things you don’t plan for end up being the best parts of the day.
*All photos in this post, courtesy of the amazing Erica Rose of Erica Rose Photography
Pam + Aaren’s Vendors:
Ceremony: Lilydale First Baptist Church
Reception: The International House at the University of Chicago
Catering: Corky’s Catering
Photography: Erica Rose Photography
Florist: Vale of Enna
Cake: Windy City Cakes
DJ: Reggie Robinson
Chair Covers: Elite Chair Covers
Day-of Coordination: Anticipation Events