We started out earlier today with Terese and Ed’s show-stopping black and white images from David Wittig Photography. An incredible wedding story in and of itself … a series of b&w photographs that lends itself to lots and lots of of ooh’s and ahh’s! If your curiosity got the best of you, you’ve probably already checked out David and Nancy’s blog feature of the wedding. But now, we return with the wonders of color AND a lot more of the story from the beautiful Terese!
Terese started their story earlier today in the first part of this feature {here}. She continues …
One part of the wedding day that I was most looking forward to was spending the day getting ready with my bridesmaids and our moms. The night before we had an 8 person sleepover in our wedding suite and I woke up surrounded by my best girls. We spent the whole day laughing, listening to music, sipping champagne and getting our hair and makeup done. It will always be one of my happiest memories.
Ed and Terese were married at the magnificent Holy Name Cathedral in the heart of Chicago. If you’re just joining us, be sure and take a look back at the first part of their wedding {here} to see the stunning black and white images from the ceremony!
See their whole gallery from David Wittig Photography here.
More from Terese …
Our ceremony location was any easy decision. Once we decided that we’d get married in a church, I knew it would be Holy Name Cathedral.
The venue search was a bit more difficult. We wanted the space to accommodate an outdoor area for the cocktail hour (and an acceptable alternative should weather be a factor), capacity for over 200 guests, late end time, something unique (no ballroom) AND someplace that we’ve never been to for a wedding!
When we visited the Chicago Illuminating Company, we were floored. It’s located in a very urban, off-the-beaten-path part of the city. The space is a former warehouse/power plant and has a very raw, loft-like feeling. It didn’t feel like a typical wedding venue and was just cool. And it satisfied all our criteria, so we were sold!
We didn’t really have a particular wedding style, we just tried to implement things that we loved and that would help create a great party. Our #1 goal in planning our wedding was to show everyone a good time. Besides that, we wanted it to be pretty and not too traditional. I’m always drawn to the mix of modern and vintage elements, so that guided a lot of our decisions: our color palette was modern (gray, yellow and white), but it was contrasted with more natural, gardeny flowers; the intricate rococo frames that held our seating charts were matted with a bold chevron pattern; soft poufs of baby’s breath were held in sleek white vessels. And it was a must that the room be flooded with candlelight!
spectacular florals by kehoe designs!
Our wedding favors made me so happy. Buckeyes are a traditional Ohio dessert that we’ve been eating as long as I can remember. I knew we couldn’t have a wedding without them. One weekend, my mom and aunts rolled and dipped 500 Buckeyes {peanut butter & chocolate balls}.
Terese kept a running account of all her wedding planning ideas on her blog The Road to June 19, 2010. She DIY’d all of her paper products ~ invitations, programs, seating chart, table numbers … and it’s all laid out for you in detail on her blog! She’s also talked about the amazing contributions of our two Little Black Book members ~ David Wittig Photography and LOLA Event Production. YAY! Her words are what we LOVE to hear!!
And though it would be so easy to go on and on and on … we must wrap it up with one more really fun thing … Terese’s SMP Style Circle Inspiration Board that she created at the beginning stages of planning. This really IS a From Inspiration to Real Wedding feature!!
Read all about Terese & Ed’s journey from inspiration to reality on her blog {here} ~ plus see tons more photos from the artistic geniuses of David Wittig Photography!
Our Congratulations to Terese and Ed on a spectacular celebration of love!
And thank you to David Wittig Photography, LOLA Event Productions and all the other fabulous vendors for having the creativity and passion for all that you do!
David and Nancy travel everywhere! To get a better sense of who & what they’re all about, head on over to their blog and watch their bio/films ~ then, give them a shout out!
Photography: David Wittig Photography
Church: Holy Name Cathedral
Reception: Chicago Illuminating Company
Flowers and Event Design: Kehoe Designs
Coordination: LOLA Events
Video: I Do Films
DJ: Cage and Aquarium
Catering: Food for Thought
Cake: Amy Beck Cake Design
Invitations & Paper Pieces: Bride DIY
Hair: Nicky Rompza-Braglia
Makeup: Cynthia Chea
Transportation: Chicago Trolley Company
Veil: Belle Vie Bridal
Tux: Ermenegildo Zegna at Neiman Marcus
Wedding Gown: Melissa Sweet / Priscilla of Boston {Skye}
Alterations by The Dress Doctor
*gown alterations included embellishments
from Soutache and Anthropologie {headband!}