“Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure.” –Paulo Coelho The Alchemist
Sometimes love is so big your heart has to grow a few sizes to take it all in. I think that’s why some say your heart “hurts” when it’s full, it’s just experiencing growing pains. I am convinced that Becky and John’s hearts are at full capacity, perhaps even overflowing, and they give their love happily and freely to those around them. When I met them I instantly felt it, and I think my heart grew a size or two. They are something special! I was definitely looking forward to this wedding from the moment we parted ways after our first meeting, not only to spend more time with them but also because I knew I would be witnessing some amazing love-filled moments. And indeed I did! Love was in the details, from the roses in honor of John’s last name (and John’s late grandmother had grown prize-winning roses in her yard) to the sprigs of rosemary at each place setting for remembrance. And after all the heartfelt speeches were given and the delicious food was consumed (including pies from First Slice Cafe!) the dance floor erupted into a huge sweaty mess… they danced like there was no tomorrow! I can only hope some of these photos convey a small portion of the fun we had, or even a fraction of the love these two feel for each other. Becky and John… you had me at “hello.” 🙂
John and the guys began the day at Ribfest! Followed by beers at Half Acre.
Meanwhile, it was time to get Becky in her dress!
Sometimes you have to get creative!
Congrats Becky and John! Now let’s go get some Jeni’s ice cream. 🙂
Second Photographer: Jamie Hartley
John describes Becky as: She’s my most perfect person
Becky describes John as: Funny (really, really funny), thoughtful, driven, patient and kind
Hair and makeup:
Hair – Maggie Araque and Erin (Need to find her last name!)
Makeup – Emily Wolf Makeup Artistry
Florist: Steve Gierke and Jayson DeGeeter (Co-workers/friends of the bride) – Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architects
Ceremony location: Queen of Angels Catholic Church
Reception location: Ravenswood Event Center – Industrial Ballroom
Event Planner:
Jen Anthony – Ravenswood Event Center
Day of Coordination – LuckB Events, MP Dvorak and Jaclyn Thomas
Officiant: Father Jim Kaczorowski
Cake: Pie! – First Slice Cafe
Caterer: Ravenswood Event Center
Invitations/Stationary:
Designed by Tracy Taylor (Bride’s Aunt)
Invitations were printed by: Vertallee Letterpress
Calligraphy: Christy Toney, CT Designs
Other Amazing Vendors:
Cake plates – Kelly Connolly, Nimble Well
Chalkboard Art – Miya Russell, Layers of Loveliness
Dress + Veil: BHLDN
Bridesmaids Dresses + Accessories: JCrew
Bride Accessories: Earrings (family heirloom), Bracelet (BHLDN)
Suit/Men’s accessories: Formally Modern Tuxedo
DJ/Band: Toast & Jam (DJ Ruby)
First Dance: “Be My Baby” – the Ronettes
Parent dances:
Father/Daughter Dance – “Daughter” by Loudon Wainwright III
Mother/Son Dance – “Stand by Me” by Ben E. King
Q&A with the bride and groom:
What was the most memorable moment of your day?
John: Like most grooms, I feel pressure to say it was the moment when she walked down the aisle…I rehearsed what I would feel and think for years and honestly, I went completely blank as she walked toward me. The most memorable moment for me was taking a few minutes to just ourselves on the balcony that oversaw our reception and we saw 175 of our favorite people all celebrating our union even without us in the room. It was like we created a tidal wave of happiness beneath us. It was surreal.
Becky: I couldn’t agree more – it was the first time we really got to talk to each other that day! Thanks to my brilliant matron of honor for making sure we got to have that moment together, it was the most special.
What was your favorite detail?
Becky: The flowers. They were such a labor of love and turned out more beautiful than I could have ever imagined. Each bouquet and arrangement was like a little secret love note from me to John: the Juliet Roses in honor of our last name, and John’s late grandmother who grew prize-winning roses back in the day, rosemary for remembrance, blue forget-me-nots, and hydrangea for “heartfelt emotions”.
John: My wife’s family provided a Colombian band that really kicked off a rocking dance party that continued all night long. It set the tone that this wasn’t going to be a traditional wedding but that there were going to be elements of culture and family that prevailed throughout. People were dancing with people they wouldn’t have normally and to songs they would have never listened to on their own.
Funniest memory from your wedding day?
Becky: Racing to the dance floor from the cocktail room with John to make sure that we didn’t miss “Shout!”
John: That moment when I handed out Blues Brother and Kanye glasses to the dance floor crew and everyone went invisible.
Any advice for future brides/grooms?
Becky: First, hire Bethany Fritz. 😉 Second, remember to make decisions based on what makes you and your partner HAPPY. Third, spring for a day of coordinator.
John: Go on dates while planning. Put down the planner and the budget tools and take her out for a fancy drink, a taco, dancing, anything. Just don’t lose yourselves to the process. The journey is the actual destination.
If you could do it all over, would you change anything?
Becky: I would have eaten ALL of my dinner. The food was so, so, so delicious – and I was too excited to sit down for more than a few bites. In other words, I should have listened to my husband when he told me to sit down and eat
John: I would have tried to learn more about decor planning. I saw my wife pour over magazines, Pinterest and anything that would spark inspiration for our vision of what the wedding would look like. I realized that I have a decent eye for design and could have lent more constructive help to her in that area. Sorry honey.
Where did you go on your honeymoon?
Becky: Sigh….Paris…I miss it so much! And the only thing more romantic than Paris in June, is Paris in June with your new husband who planned. the.entire.trip.
John: My grade school French speaking abilities came back and found my groove around hour 7 there. In my mind I wake up every day and walk down to the local brasserie and come back with fresh baked goods and coffees to my wife. There’s no greater happiness in her eyes than the sight of warm, fresh French bread and cappuccino; I realized I can be good at this “husband thing.”
A little history…
How did you meet? (How long have you known each other?)
John: I’ll let her tell this one. She’s a better storyteller than I am.
Becky: The story is best told over beers…so the short version is that we met at work in 2009. I got very, very lost on my first day, and John navigated me back to the office. He was the very first person I met in Chicago.
When did you know he/she was “the one”?
John: I kissed her within the first 20 minutes of our first date. That was it. She came over. I had some cool drinks and sweet eats prepared and an irrational sense of courage from my 2nd beer. I kissed her. She kissed back. We’re married now. Don’t be afraid to make a bold move.
Describe the proposal.
Becky: John and I are both from Ohio – he asked me to marry him in Chagrin Falls, over Jeni’s Ice Cream and the ring in a blue mason jar. The man knows his audience.