Although they have traded in Cubs games and their Lakeview apartment for the Red Sox and the East coast, Ellie and Will decided to have their wedding back in Chicago. Friends from college, high school, and even grade school gathered with family at the beautiful Fulton’s On the River, a perfect spot to take in the city skyline and the winding Chicago river. The rainy forecast dissipated into a gorgeous clear day, just right for photos around town and cocktails on the patio. Things tend to fall into place when these two are together, and their wedding day was no exception. Congrats Ellie and Will, may your future be full of days like this- surrounded by those you love as you dance around in your slippers!
Relaxing in style, courtesy of their friend’s slipper company, Jacques Levine.
The day they first met… sewn into the dress lining.
Ellie’s mom helped her into the dress…
Recognize this cutie? Maid of honor and also the fabulous Joan Cinquegrani of Five Grain Events!
Mother-daughter love…
Will was getting ready too.
Custom fitted suits for the groom and his men? Yes please!!
And you’re never to old to jump on the bed.
Ellie was stopping traffic (first look in the middle of Michigan Ave!).
A slightly serious bridal party photo…
And not so serious….
Although it was a little overcast, I totally love this shot!
The groomsmen were showing some love…
Love this!
One last stop on the bridge before we headed inside.
Married!
Ellie made these wonderful books to be opened on their future anniversaries, friends and family filled them with notes of love and advice.
Joan had prepared a terrific speech…
A great benefit of knowing someone since grade school… all of the embarrassing photos!
Time to party!
Dance, dance, dance! Congrats Ellie and Will!
Check out their hilarious photo booth:
Ellie-Will photobooth from Bethany Fritz on Vimeo.
Second photographer: Jamie Hartley
Hair and makeup: Gigi Philip (hair) & Tiffany Berry of Flawless by Tiffany (makeup)
Florist: Fleur
Ceremony location: Fulton’s on the River
Reception location: Fulton’s on the River
Event Planner: day of coordination by Five Grain Events (Lauren Boerman)
Officiant: Rev. Alan Taylor
Cake: Creative Cakes
Caterer: Fulton’s on the River
Dress: Essence of Australia, bought at Pearl Bridal Boutique
Suit: custom by Indochino
Accessories: mostly borrowed from MOH & bridesmaids
DJ/Band: Toast & Jam (Kate Porter)
First Dance: And I Love Her – The Beatles
Father/daughter: Father & Daughter – Paul Simon
Mother/son: Forever Young – Bob Dylan
Q&A with the bride:
What was the most memorable moment of your day?
Ellie: After the ceremony and just as cocktail hour was starting the two of us got to sit outside together for like a whole minute alone 🙂 It was a brief moment to say, “We did it!”, “We’re married!”, “I love you so much!” before the party got into full swing.
What was your favorite detail?
Ellie: It’s really hard to pick out just one thing…as they all came together to make the wedding, as a whole, feel just right. But we really loved having the photo booth available to guests. It was a great way for guests to get pictures taken with the groups they wanted, and also get silly! After the wedding we got to see what all our guests were up to 🙂
Funniest memory from your wedding day?
Ellie: Probably just seeing the general “creativity” of our friends and family on the dance floor and in the photo booth 🙂 We especially loved how everyone got out on the dance floor for the polka song we had played in honor of a recently passed grandma…people got SO into it and it felt like everyone was laughing and having fun!!
Any advice for future brides/grooms?
Ellie: Know that many people along the way will have an opinion about what you should or shouldn’t do. While taking into consideration the opinions of those you feel should have a say, try to politely block out the rest of them…as it can feel totally overwhelming. Remember that the day is meant to represent you, the bride and groom. Do what makes you happy, don’t do what doesn’t feel like you and have fun!
If you could do it all over, would you change anything?
Ellie: Aside from maybe living in the same city where the wedding was going to be during all the planning and such, no. That’s not something we could have controlled anyways and the rest of it was just plain awesome in the end 🙂
Where did you go on your honeymoon?
Ellie: Paris