“You don’t marry someone you can live with, you marry the person who you can’t live without.” Meredith and Jon don’t ever want to be apart, there was no question that were ready to say “I do.” The trouble was that they didn’t want all the fuss, they wanted to keep it simple and intimate. They decided to elope to Chicago, their first trip to the city from Nebraska, with just her parents, Jon’s best friend from childhood and her husband. It turned out that Meredith’s family pastor of many years was also going to be in Chicago that weekend for his son’s wedding, so he could marry them! As the 8 of us gathered together in the park for the ceremony, the sun began to set behind the city, it was truly spectacular. This wedding holds a special place in my heart, I feel incredibly privileged to have been a witness and documentarian to such a lovely day. Congrats Meredith and Jon!
Good morning Chicago!
Special shoes for a special day.
Meredith admired her makeup (provide by Beth Follert)
Meredith’s mom is a professional hair stylist and was excited to do Meredith’s “wedding” hair.
Jon was getting ready in another room, and his friends were helping him with his suspenders.
Meredith’s dad helped Jon with his tie.
Meredith walked across the street to meet Jon for a first look.
Her bouquet by City Scents turned out beautiful (ordered the day before!).
We had some fun with my fujifilm instal camera…
Everyone met in Olive Park and gathered for the ceremony.
They were standing in the perfect spot, right where the setting sun was peeking through the buildings.
They’re hitched!
We headed up to the observation deck at the Willis tower to finish the day.
Good night Chicago!
Makeup: Beth Follert
Hair: Julie Flynn (mother of the bride)
Florist: City Scents
Ceremony location: Milton Lee Olive Park, Chicago, IL
Dress: BHLDN
Accessories: Hair piece by Jennifer Behr, shoes by Manolo Blahnik, necklace borrowed from mother
Q&A with the bride:
What was the most memorable moment of your day? Meredith: We both will never forget the words my father spoke during our ceremony. It was so heartfelt and it will always be a special moment for each of us.
What was your favorite detail? Meredith: Jon loved wearing suspenders. I loved having our pastor, Dan Hauge perform our ceremony. He was the pastor at my families church until I was six when he relocated. I had not seen him until we hired him to do our premarital counseling a few months before the wedding. It was amazing how it worked out and we were so happy to have him marry us!
Funniest memory from your wedding day? Meredith: When we were leaving the Sky Deck, we got in an elevator with a group of women. They were so kind, saying congratulations, and even gave us a round of applause. It was the sweetest.
Any advice for future brides/grooms? Meredith: Do it in a way that is right for you as a couple. Jon and I realized that a big, detailed wedding, while fun and creative, would take a lot of the sentiment out of it for us due to stress, and we didn’t want that. Do it your way. Take the time together to realize what aspects of your wedding you value most and keep those things in perspective at all times.
If you could do it all over, would you change anything? Meredith: No, it was amazing.
Where did you go on your honeymoon? Meredith: Chicago, and we can’t wait to go back for our anniversaries!!!