The Most Beautiful 'Rainy Day' Wedding We've Ever Seen
One look at this fete from Brooke Keegan Special Events and like me, you may have never guessed that storms threatened to derail this 'outdoor' wedding setting. Thankfully, the rain held off for this stunning reception—is this even real life?!—and we have the pretty images from The Grovers to prove it. See it all unfold below (and don't miss the film from Aaron Novak)!
How did you meet?
On my first day of work at the downtown Chicago Merrill Lynch office. I was beyond nervous and was brought up to the 19th floor to be introduced to him and his team. I immediately knew I wanted to be around that guy!
How and where did Jim propose?
Jim really got me good. I run a tight ship - not much is getting passed me. But I was completely shocked when he got down on one knee and proposed to me outside our favorite pub on the way to brunch. I think my first words were "shut up!" After I stopped shaking and processed what was happening, I kissed him hard and said "YES". Naturally, Jim being Jim, he had my two girlfriends hiding in the bushes taking pictures of the action. I was truly so surprised I didn't even see them until they came up to tackle us. What seemed lackluster for proposal location eventually turned into an emotional and overwhelmingly beautiful day and evening. We came back up to our condo in Lincoln Park and invited our closest friends over to celebrate. I wanted to start calling my family immediately but my girlfriend advised me to "have a couple minutes for myself and just enjoy being IN it". After a glass of champagne, I was ready to call my peeps. I immediately started with my little brother (who doubles as my best friend and was the Man of Honor at our wedding). Next up were mom and dad. Everyone was over the moon and while hearing their voices made my heart feel full, it also made me realize how much I wished they were with us. Jim made dinner reservation just for the two of us at this neighborhood gem in the Gold Coast. He looked so proud telling me he made arrangements for me to choose to ANY bottle from their extensive wine cellar—I was stoked!! When we got to the "cellar" our server pulled back the curtain to reveal both our families screaming with joy, big smiles on their faces and champagne in hand. I was in tears. My family had flown in from Southern California and Jim's from Boston. You see, my girlfriends were trying to delay me calling while they were all in the air. And while during my phone call campaign they were all together at O'hare airport. All seated in the same taxi on their way to the city, waiting for me to call the next person in line! Jim did good.
On my first day of work at the downtown Chicago Merrill Lynch office. I was beyond nervous and was brought up to the 19th floor to be introduced to him and his team. I immediately knew I wanted to be around that guy!
How and where did Jim propose?
Jim really got me good. I run a tight ship - not much is getting passed me. But I was completely shocked when he got down on one knee and proposed to me outside our favorite pub on the way to brunch. I think my first words were "shut up!" After I stopped shaking and processed what was happening, I kissed him hard and said "YES". Naturally, Jim being Jim, he had my two girlfriends hiding in the bushes taking pictures of the action. I was truly so surprised I didn't even see them until they came up to tackle us. What seemed lackluster for proposal location eventually turned into an emotional and overwhelmingly beautiful day and evening. We came back up to our condo in Lincoln Park and invited our closest friends over to celebrate. I wanted to start calling my family immediately but my girlfriend advised me to "have a couple minutes for myself and just enjoy being IN it". After a glass of champagne, I was ready to call my peeps. I immediately started with my little brother (who doubles as my best friend and was the Man of Honor at our wedding). Next up were mom and dad. Everyone was over the moon and while hearing their voices made my heart feel full, it also made me realize how much I wished they were with us. Jim made dinner reservation just for the two of us at this neighborhood gem in the Gold Coast. He looked so proud telling me he made arrangements for me to choose to ANY bottle from their extensive wine cellar—I was stoked!! When we got to the "cellar" our server pulled back the curtain to reveal both our families screaming with joy, big smiles on their faces and champagne in hand. I was in tears. My family had flown in from Southern California and Jim's from Boston. You see, my girlfriends were trying to delay me calling while they were all in the air. And while during my phone call campaign they were all together at O'hare airport. All seated in the same taxi on their way to the city, waiting for me to call the next person in line! Jim did good.
Why did you decide on Shady Canyon and CA for the wedding since you live in Chicago?
I grew up in Southern California. I lived in Corona Del Mar and later moved to Laguna Beach. I think we were one of the first wave of members to Shady Canyon and I was pretty hooked in high school and home from college breaks/summers. After I graduated, my brother and I established "Shady Sibling Saturdays" which consisted of running the trails, cannonballing in the pool, lunching on chicken Caesar wraps and spicy margaritas. Not a bad program. When it was time to take Jim home to meet the family, we showed him around Newport and drove up to Shady. He shared our love for the special place that southern California is and embraced the "program". P.S. those spicy margaritas were 100% served at our cocktail hour.
Tell us about the planning process.
Honestly, working with Brooke Keegan Events was the best decision we could have ever made. I work full-time +++ hours and I realistically didn't have the time to put the energy into due diligence on the thousands of potential vendors to choose from. Brooke, Heather and their team knew exactly what we were looking for. We trusted and valued their opinions and they never came up short. When I needed help or a second opinion, they were there. If I needed someone to run me through the numbers for the tenth time, they were there. Planning really is a marathon. There are moments when you are overwhelmed and exhausted. I was very lucky to have help and be surrounded by the best humans. The only thing that could have made it better, would’ve been grabbing a glass of wine with Brooke, Heather and Leslie after major accomplishments.
Tell us about the overall design and decor you chose for the wedding.
Once we confirmed Shady Canyon as our venue, I was dreaming up what the reception space would look like come the big day. I knew I wanted something open-air (no tent), fairytale-like, with lots of lush greens, cream florals and chandelier lights. A romantic Gatsby Garden party with room for dancing all night under the stars. The final product was truly a dream come true. AK Johnston constructed these gorgeous walnut stained wooden beams for the structure and installed chandeliers hanging throughout the space. The beams were covered in sweeping greenery and blush/cream toned flowers by Inviting OC – who is a florist genius! The table setting was adorned in similar hues as the structure – bouquets filled with semi-wild greens with cream and blush tone florals, lots of varied sized candelabras, and timeless vintage crystal champagne coupe glasses. It was warm, naturally beautiful and elegant.
I grew up in Southern California. I lived in Corona Del Mar and later moved to Laguna Beach. I think we were one of the first wave of members to Shady Canyon and I was pretty hooked in high school and home from college breaks/summers. After I graduated, my brother and I established "Shady Sibling Saturdays" which consisted of running the trails, cannonballing in the pool, lunching on chicken Caesar wraps and spicy margaritas. Not a bad program. When it was time to take Jim home to meet the family, we showed him around Newport and drove up to Shady. He shared our love for the special place that southern California is and embraced the "program". P.S. those spicy margaritas were 100% served at our cocktail hour.
Tell us about the planning process.
Honestly, working with Brooke Keegan Events was the best decision we could have ever made. I work full-time +++ hours and I realistically didn't have the time to put the energy into due diligence on the thousands of potential vendors to choose from. Brooke, Heather and their team knew exactly what we were looking for. We trusted and valued their opinions and they never came up short. When I needed help or a second opinion, they were there. If I needed someone to run me through the numbers for the tenth time, they were there. Planning really is a marathon. There are moments when you are overwhelmed and exhausted. I was very lucky to have help and be surrounded by the best humans. The only thing that could have made it better, would’ve been grabbing a glass of wine with Brooke, Heather and Leslie after major accomplishments.
Tell us about the overall design and decor you chose for the wedding.
Once we confirmed Shady Canyon as our venue, I was dreaming up what the reception space would look like come the big day. I knew I wanted something open-air (no tent), fairytale-like, with lots of lush greens, cream florals and chandelier lights. A romantic Gatsby Garden party with room for dancing all night under the stars. The final product was truly a dream come true. AK Johnston constructed these gorgeous walnut stained wooden beams for the structure and installed chandeliers hanging throughout the space. The beams were covered in sweeping greenery and blush/cream toned flowers by Inviting OC – who is a florist genius! The table setting was adorned in similar hues as the structure – bouquets filled with semi-wild greens with cream and blush tone florals, lots of varied sized candelabras, and timeless vintage crystal champagne coupe glasses. It was warm, naturally beautiful and elegant.
Tell us about your wedding day experience.
I don’t think I slept much the night before. It stormed thunder and lightning, I was so nervous it wouldn’t stop on our wedding day. I woke up extremely early to the sweetest text from Heather asking what I’d like for breakfast. She knew how to distract me from the weather – pancakes and bacon baby! Getting ready for hair and make-up with Kacee and all my girls was a blast. I had a genuine connection with Kacee. I remember feeling really chill (I was teased as “Bridechilla”). The drizzling kept up but it was light and I was in the highest of spirits. We chose to do a first look and I recommend for any couples who are on the emotional side like us. I’ll never forget how handsome Jim looked in his tux and the look on his face when he turned around to see me for the first time. I’m honestly getting teary just thinking about this moment! Riding to St. Catherine of Siena with just my parents was also a surreal moment – it’s not just one of the happiest days of your life as the couple. It brings so much joy to others who have loved and cared for you your whole life. I could feel this love immensely. St. Catherine of Siena was the only time I started to get a little nervous – small Church, very large dress, what could go wrong? We are lucky to know our priest, Fr. Dave Mastrangelo, very well and consider him a true friend. I think having him up there with us calmed my nerves a bit. The rest of the night was a party – even with the rain. Cocktail hour was moved inside and then back outside as originally intended. I remember taking pictures with Jim around the golf course and hearing our guests laughing and singing John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Road” so loud we could hear every word clearly! The rest of the reception was perfect. From the speeches that had everyone in tears, to the roasts, and the non-stop dancing – I mean legitimately non-stop, the band had to ask multiple times for us to take our seats and finish out dinner - it was the best day of our lives!
Where did you go on your honeymoon?
We wanted to go somewhere far away from Chicago to take advantage of being out of office for our honeymoon – no one can give you a hard time for that! So we decided on Hong Kong to start, a small island for relaxation in Koh Yao Noi, Thailand, then Bangkok for a couple adventurous nights, and finished strong in Tokyo. We were connected with Katie Frederick Jacobson with Ever After Honeymoons to help plan travel, activities, day trips, dinners, etc and I don’t think we can plan a big trip again without her. It was perfect!
I don’t think I slept much the night before. It stormed thunder and lightning, I was so nervous it wouldn’t stop on our wedding day. I woke up extremely early to the sweetest text from Heather asking what I’d like for breakfast. She knew how to distract me from the weather – pancakes and bacon baby! Getting ready for hair and make-up with Kacee and all my girls was a blast. I had a genuine connection with Kacee. I remember feeling really chill (I was teased as “Bridechilla”). The drizzling kept up but it was light and I was in the highest of spirits. We chose to do a first look and I recommend for any couples who are on the emotional side like us. I’ll never forget how handsome Jim looked in his tux and the look on his face when he turned around to see me for the first time. I’m honestly getting teary just thinking about this moment! Riding to St. Catherine of Siena with just my parents was also a surreal moment – it’s not just one of the happiest days of your life as the couple. It brings so much joy to others who have loved and cared for you your whole life. I could feel this love immensely. St. Catherine of Siena was the only time I started to get a little nervous – small Church, very large dress, what could go wrong? We are lucky to know our priest, Fr. Dave Mastrangelo, very well and consider him a true friend. I think having him up there with us calmed my nerves a bit. The rest of the night was a party – even with the rain. Cocktail hour was moved inside and then back outside as originally intended. I remember taking pictures with Jim around the golf course and hearing our guests laughing and singing John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Road” so loud we could hear every word clearly! The rest of the reception was perfect. From the speeches that had everyone in tears, to the roasts, and the non-stop dancing – I mean legitimately non-stop, the band had to ask multiple times for us to take our seats and finish out dinner - it was the best day of our lives!
Where did you go on your honeymoon?
We wanted to go somewhere far away from Chicago to take advantage of being out of office for our honeymoon – no one can give you a hard time for that! So we decided on Hong Kong to start, a small island for relaxation in Koh Yao Noi, Thailand, then Bangkok for a couple adventurous nights, and finished strong in Tokyo. We were connected with Katie Frederick Jacobson with Ever After Honeymoons to help plan travel, activities, day trips, dinners, etc and I don’t think we can plan a big trip again without her. It was perfect!
