“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.”
-Maya Angelou
Alice is a gorgeous woman and a die-hard romantic. The first time we met she saw my ring and asked a few questions, after learning of my New England elopement at the age of 20 she had know every last detail. She was pining for a whirlwind romance of her own, and wasn’t settling for just any guy. Not that there weren’t plenty to choose from! (she modeled professionally for Ford and tends to leave guys red-faced and tongue-tied) Funny enough Matty and I had worked together for a couple of years but he had just left for LA to stake his claim (he is kind of a big deal! Check him out here), so it wasn’t until he came back to Chicago a few years later that he would have the opportunity to meet Alice. With so many mutual friends between them it’s surprising it took as long as it did, finally one evening when she walked into the opening night of Bar DeVille a love story fell right into her lap. They locked eyes and the rest is history, I wasn’t there to witness the event but I can only imagine the sparks that were flying!
Fast forward a couple of years and they now have a beautiful little girl, buckets of amazing friends, and a pretty rad reputation around town. They decided to tie the knot at the Lincoln Park Conservatory with a killer reception at the very cool Sportman’s Club. Alice transformed the back patio with candles and foliage (she has just launched her new company and is a MEGA talented florist! Check her out here: Alice Hanson Designs), Pig Papa bbq’d a feast, and the drinks were flowing. This wedding was extra special because I was surrounded by so many dear familiar faces, and I got to witness two friends make their love story official and FOREVER. The fact that we were gathered under the glow of string lights, with their adorable 3 year old running around bare foot, AND that Alice and Matty are a stunning couple made it all the more outstanding, this night is burned into my memory for good. Congrats Alice and Matty, you set the bar high. Eat, drink, and be married!
Matty describes Alice in 5 words: Strong, Beautiful, Steadfast, Creative, Loving
Alice describes Matty in 5 words: Brilliant, Witty, Cerebral, Handsome, Assured
I met up with the girls at Benefit for some makeup.
One of my favorite things of the day… Brad and Jason’s sign outside of Bar DeVille: “BDV will be closed today to bear witness to some amazing shit. We will reopen on Monday.”
We stopped by a flower shop to grab a few more pieces for the bouquets and crowns.
Little Hazel!
The guys were enjoying some beers on the rooftop (J. Parker).
Brad was very proud of his drink choice, and his shoes.
Cutest flower girl photo ever!!
Hazel’s shoes were too small, and Jesse’s entire heel feel off… so all the girls walked barefoot. It was perfect!
The sun had set and we had about twenty minutes to take some portraits, so we made good use of this well-lit underpass on Fullerton.
Congrats Alice and Matty, wishing you all the love!
Hair and makeup: Benefit, Alea at Trio
Florist: Alice Hanson (worst idea ever!)
Ceremony location: Lincoln Park Conservatory
Reception location: Sportsman’s Club
Event Planner: Ashley, Midwestern Bride
Officiant: Nathan Ozug & John Manion
Cake: Katie Schuler (friend)
Caterer: Pig Papa
Invitations/Stationary: Alice and Matty
Dress: Nicole miller
Accessories: shoes Nine West, veil custom made by Miss Couture (tailor), earrings something borrowed (Matty’s mom, Mary Lou
Suit/Men’s accessories: Jcrew suit, Cole Haan shoes
DJ/Band: friends playing records
First Dance: La Vie en Rose, Louis Armstrong
Q&A with the bride and groom:
What was the most memorable moment of your day?
M: seeing Alice for the first time
A: same, we spent the night apart and didn’t see each other until the ceremony. One of the few very traditional moments that we wanted to have.
What was your favorite detail?
A: The way that all the girls went barefoot on accident, Hazels shoes didn’t fit, Jesse’s heel broke off right before the ceremony, so we all ditched our shoes. Also, how public spaces we were familiar with became “ours” for the day.
Close second favorite wasn’t actually that day, but we spent an afternoon at Rare Tea Cellars with Roderick Marcus making a bride and grooms blend of tea for our take a ways. Each blend came out being a reflection of each of us. It was really cool how he was able to ask us each what we were thinking and help is create the perfect “us” teas.
Funniest memory from your wedding day?
A&M: Hazel loudly brushing us off during our first dance when we asked if she wanted to join us, during the “Wall E” song. La Vie en Rose is on the soundtrack and thus made the perfect first dance not only because the lyrics are fitting but because Wall E is a favorite in our house. She also picked the song Alice walked down the isle to when given a short list of songs we’d narrowed it down to.
Any advice for future brides/grooms?
A&M: Relax. It will play out the way it plays out. Try to steal a minute or two alone between the ceremony and the reception.
If you could do it all over, would you change anything?
A&M: Would have eaten more food!
Where did you go on your honeymoon?
A&M: We will be going to Tulum, Mexico in Feb
Anything else worth mentioning?
A&M: Every single aspect of the day involved friends and family. All of our vendors, everything. Sportsman’s was the perfect reception venue, we were their first ever wedding. Alice’s family spent the year making 3 different home-brews for the reception. Friends helped to get booze donated, Ashley was a friend, Nate married the other couples in our circle, John was asked to co officiate as soon as he let it slip that he was ordained. Bethany, obviously your role as friend shows in the way you took the photos. It was literally a family affair. And it made all the difference, it felt very loving.
A little history…
How did you meet? (How long have you known each other?)
We met at Bar DeVille right when it opened through our expansive groups of mutual friends, so 6 years…we always have the bar’s birthday as a marker for us as well.
When did you know he/she was “the one”?
There wasn’t really an exact moment for either of us, we just started talking about the same things and making the same plans. It was very organic.
Describe the proposal.
We were at home and about to go on vacation with 4 other couples who were all married and kept teasing about it. The ring is a family heirloom, was Alice’s deceased mother’s wedding band, made by her paternal great great grandfather who was a jeweler in Minneapolis, very heavy meaningful stuff. Matty had been trying to get the three of us outdoors and on a hike or something to do it then, but Alice was getting over being sick. He asked in the living room, while Hazel toddled around, in our own space and element. It was perfect for us.