A Rom-Com Worthy 1920’s Inspired Wedding at Chicago Botanic Garden

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December 4, 2024

The Planning

Design / Vibe / Vision

The aesthetic focused in on this eclectic Italian chic elevated garden party. Jennifer wanted her guests to feel like they were in a 1920's fairytale that combined 90's romcoms with soul, warmth, heart, class, and a dainty detailed celebration that depicted her and Josh's love.

Proposal Story

Josh planned to propose to Jennifer in mid November of 2022. That weekend he had a photographer planned, his family flying in from Florida and California, and everything arranged when unfortunately Jennifer's grandfather Howard passed away. Pivoting quickly, Josh spoke to Jennifer's mom who shared that Jennifer's grandfather Howard met Jennifer's grandmother Arlene on the weekend of Thanksgiving at a dance and it would be special to continue the engagement plan a few weeks later. It was love at first sight for her grandparents, and to honor her grandparents 70+ years of marriage, Josh decided to get down on one knee on Thanksgiving. On Thanksgiving, Jennifer's mom, Susan, told Josh and Jennifer she was missing an ingredient at the grocery store...as Josh took a 'wrong turn' into a parking lot by the beach...he helped Jennifer get out of the car as they walked down the cobblestone steps to the beach where a lit up sign that said "Marry Me" with rose petals, candles, and a collage of photos of them together laid. He got down on one knee and proposed.

Getting Ready

Bridal Portraits

Flat Lays

The Fashion

Wedding Gown

Jennifer wore an Ines Di Santo gown with blue Manolo Blahnik heels. Jennifer changed into a Danielle Frankel mini dress and Louboutin sparkly mules for the end of the night to dance the night away.

Bridesmaid Dresses

Each bridesmaid wore a whisper blue Jenny Yoo dress with their choice of style and fabric (either silk or Chiffon).

Groomsman Attire

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Wedding Party

Ceremony

Cocktail Hour

The Details

Food & Drink

My grandfather Howard used to call me "Jenny Jenny bright as a Penny," and Josh shortened my nickname from Penny to Pen. I call him Posh (Josh to Posh). Our signature drinks were "The Pen" - french 75 - and "The Posh" an old fashioned.

Florals & Decor

Two months prior to our wedding we parted ways with our original florist as she was not fitting the vision of what we were looking for which was: unique - organic - classic -statement - home grown flowers that felt like a 1920's fairy garden party. I stumbled upon Jenna Land (flowersbyland), a florist who lives on a floral farm and had this instinctual gut feeling she was the one after one phone call. We were her first large event, yet I could tell by her bouquets on Instagram that she had a talent that was beyond anything I've ever seen. It was her dream to have her flowers at the Chicago gardens, but what she did not know yet was she had made our dreams come true with her work. After a few inspiration photos and a Pinterest board sent, one preview and homemade focaccia in her home on her farm...we signed a contract with her. Her Chuppah blew us away...and was everything we could have ever wanted yet.

Wedding Cake

Our cake was designed by ECBG cakes in Chicago and it was inspired by our custom invitation water color print. This print also decorated the welcome bags, menus, covered the dance floor - and bled throughout the entire wedding

Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs

My Dad passed away when I was 5 years old, and I could feel his light shining down on me during the ceremony as we drank out of my parents Kiddish Cup that they got married in and also drank out of our new Kidding Cup my mom had gifted to us at our bridal shower. It was a merging of what was and what will be... Our cantor played the guitar and sang throughout our ceremony as I circled my husband 7 times, a Jewish tradition. We had custom linen Kippuhs made with an embroidered white M for Milgrom (my new last name).

Special Detail #1

I grew up in the musical theatre world - and I still at times tap into it. Josh loves when I sing, on our first date he found out I was in a show a month later and put it on his calendar to attend. He did attend, in a suit. I wanted to surprise my husband (Josh) so after he dipped me as the ending to our first dance as a couple...I slowly walked onto the stage, grabbed the mic, and serenaded him to "At Last". He was very emotional. No one knew I was going to do this.

Special Detail #2

My Dad passed away when I was 5 years old...so I grew up with a single mom. We considered ourselves The Gilmore Girls our entire lives because we have always been so close and have told each other everything. It was fitting that we did our mother daughter dance to "where you lead I will follow" by Carole King...I choreographed the entire thing and it was such a special moment for both of us. She also walked me down the aisle in a STUNNING custom color Markarian dress. She looked like my little fairy God mother, and she always has been that way.

Special Detail #3

I created a custom-made purse that said "The love story at Chicago Botanic Gardens" and had a Taylor Swift quote on the back (we love Taylor Swift...we danced a lot to her music at our wedding). She is very special to us as we have always felt there has been an invisible string tying us to each other. Other: I would consider my fashion sense to be timeless with a twist of a creative yet elegant flair..Audrey Hepburn has always been my muse being that I grew up in the theatre. My bridesmaids wore matching pink and white Bon Viviann silk feather pajamas and my mom and mother-in-law wore cotton Natori pink cotton pajamas that were perfect for lounging and dancing in. I love fashion. I wore a Shonah Joy silk slip dress and Vivienne Westwood Jacquard Tote with Louboutin sparkly mules while getting ready with my nearest and dearest friends. We sang and danced all morning together as we got ready in my childhood home and bedroom...my oldest friend Lauren and I used to sing on the floor of my room together growing up and she sat next to me as I got my hair done singing the same songs we used to as children. It was a wholesome, musical, magical slumber-day party as we drank coffee w/creamer and sang our hearts out to old Hillary Duff and Whitney Houston. The house was filled with giggles, music, and a ton of love as each girl slipped into their feather pajamas and slippers and got fully pampered. I wanted to get ready in my childhood home, as it's as old as I am and has been with me through every life stage (walking down the stairs to go to an audition, walking down the stairs to graduate college, walking down the stairs to go to prom, walking down the stairs to go on a first date). I've walked down those stairs as I've grown up and to walk down them in my wedding dress with my mom, mother-in-law, and bridesmaids waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs was surreal.

Couple Portraits