Talk about total kismet! The story that inspired this couple's key themed escort card display is too good not to share. When the groom gave his bride a key to his home while they were dating, she learned shortly after that the key opened her front door in California. They had identical locks and keys! Their love is certainly one in a million, and their wedding was a gorgeous celebration of it. Homemade guest gift favors, DIY paper decorations, and seemingly endless amounts of delicious food and sweets filled their reception. Many thanks to Melissa Hayes Photography for capturing the joy right here in the full gallery of photos!
Chicago Cultural Center Wedding from Melissa Hayes Photography
Click here for the FULL wedding!
From the Bride... Kevin and I met through friends while I was vacationing in Chicago. We started dating shortly thereafter and had a long-distance relationship for two years before I finally made the big move. I am originally from southern California and Kevin is from the suburbs of Illinois. Kevin and I felt that having our wedding in Chicago would be a wonderful way to introduce our family and friends to our new city. The day went by in a blur — literally! I was wearing hard contacts but due to the makeup, my contacts were getting irritated, and I had to take my left contact out. Someone didn’t realize I had left my left contact in a little container and accidentally threw it out!
I wanted our wedding to show the old glamor of Chicago with a touch of DIY wedding décor. We chose to do keys for our place cards because keys have s special meaning in our relationship. When Kevin gave me the key to his condo, I put it on my keychain without giving it a second thought. Afterwards, I flew back home to California and noticed one day that I could open my door with his key. Feeling confused, I went to the local locksmith to figure out what was going on. Turns out his key and my key were exact identical matches! The locksmith said there were only so many combinations a key could have, with so only so many companies making keys, twin keys are bound to happen. We thought it was kismet that our two keys from opposite coasts would be united.
We got married in Holy Family Parish, which is the second-oldest Catholic Church in Chicago and one of the four buildings that survived the great fire of 1871. The reception was held in GAR/Rotunda hall the Chicago Cultural Center, which houses a 40-foot glass dome made by Healy and Millet. My husband was amazing helping me punch out paper decorations, making little honey jars for our take home favors and cutting up the gold confetti that was thrown after the ceremony. I learned through the DIY crafting that my husband has a secret flair for crafting... During the reception, my husband and I took a moment to look around, and we were touched by the love and warmth from our friends and family. 75% of our guests are from out-of-town, so for everyone to fly in and celebrate with us really meant a lot. September 8, 2012 is a day we will never forget, filled with funny stories, love and tenderness.
Wedding Photography: Melissa Hayes Photography / Ceremony: Holy Family Parish in Chicago, Illinois / Reception: Chicago Cultural Center in Chicago, Illinois / Event Planning: Big City Bride / Wedding Cake: Blue Plate + Alliance Bakery / Desserts: Vanille Patisserie, Cheap Tart Bakery, Blue Plate / Wedding Invitations + Menus: Steracle Press / Guestbook: Etsy / Wedding Dress: Marisa "900" / Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Korean Attire: Rentals