This is exactly how the weddings of my little girl dreams looked. Actually it’s far prettier and more sophisticated, but you get it. It’s traditional perfection, the kind of wedding that will easily stand the test of time and then some. Captured beautifully by Beth Insalaco, this gallery is what dreams are made of.
From the Bride…My parents were married at the University of Chicago’s Bond Chapel thirty years ago this January. For as long I can remember, I knew I wanted to get married on that campus but Bond Chapel is a little small. We had a large wedding, so Mike and I knew that we would need a bigger church to accommodate all of our guests. We decided to take a look at the larger of the two chapels on campus, Rockefeller Memorial Chapel, and instantly fell in love. I don’t know what I can say about this chapel that will do it justice better than the beautiful photographs taken that day… It was the perfect backdrop to our ceremony. Mike and I asked his wonderful grandfather to officiate the wedding. That decision, without a doubt, made our ceremony incredibly special for the both us. It is a memory that we will cherish forever.
Our reception was held at Olympia Fields Country Club on the south side of Chicago. My family have been members of OFCC for close to thirty years, and there was never a time when I imagined my reception anywhere else. Luckily, my groom loved the idea as well!
With the help of my wedding planner, Hope Weis, and the immense talents of Rishi Patel at HMR Designs, my dream of a “rustic chic” wedding became a reality. I started with a few simple ideas – all white/cream florals, simple/neutral linens, and a whole lot of candlelight – and Hope and Rishi turned those ideas into the most beautiful room I have ever seen… The entire evening was filled with laughter, fun and dancing the night away to our INCREDIBLE band, Rendezvous. Mike and I are so grateful to everyone for making our wedding truly unforgettable; we could not have been happier!
A few other details regarding the day; I made each of my bridesmaids a personalized hanger for their dresses, along with a hanger for myself (I didn’t see paying $30 a piece for them when I could easily figure out how to DIY them for about $3 a pop). I also framed pictures to hang on my bouquet of my grandparents and Mike’s grandmother who have passed away ; we thought it was a nice way to have them with us on that day.
Photography: Beth Insalaco | Wedding Planner: Hope Wasserman Weis | Floral Design: HMR Designs | Wedding Dress: Amsale | Wedding Cake: Cake Chicago | Invitations: Spilled Ink Press | Ceremony Venue: Rockefeller Chapel | Reception Venue: Olympia Fields Country Club | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Jewelry: Marshall Pierce & Company | Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew | Band: Rendezvous