When Mark was sat at the “singles” table at his friend’s wedding, he might have envisioned getting stuck next to some random extended family member or an old college buddy, trudging through awkward small talk for the evening. Instead Sarah sat down, and he was tongue tied. It took another 2 years of crossing paths through various mutual friends and slowly getting to know each other before he asked her out on a real date. And look what happened! Now they’re the ones turning heads as they walk down the aisle and exchange vows- total fate. Their family and friends were thrilled to celebrate with them, the wedding party even subjected themselves to extreme cold temperatures for the sake of great photos. From the traditional Greek ceremony to the signature martini’s at the reception, this wedding was a blast. Congrats Sarah and Mark, may you always “like the way this is going!”
Sarah looked stunning!
The bridesmaids were so excited to see her in her dress…
Her mom straightened her dad’s tie.
Mother-daughter moment.
Sarah was ready to head to the church.
The guys were getting ready, even the little ones.
Time to get married!
It was so cold, don’t let this photo fool you.
The back of my head as I stood in the middle of the street…
Someone always has to carry the coats.
Bridesmaid huddle!
Sarah showed Mark how to arm wrestle.
Coolest wedding party photo ever! Everyone braved the cold for a 4 second exposure the first night of the Luminous Fields art installation (only displayed for one week).
Time to party!
You know it’s a dance party once someone does the worm…
Congratulations Sarah and Mark!
Hair and makeup: Sonia Roselli
Florist: Ashland Addison Florist (Martha Carrasco-Sheffield) — she was Great!
Ceremony location: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
Reception location: W Hotel City Center
Officiant: Father Nickolas Nikokavouras and Father Joseph Strzlecki
Cake: Tipsy Cake
Caterer: W Hotel (food was great!)
Dress: Dimitra’s Bridal (Pronovias designer)
Accessories: Shoes and jewelry from The Left Bank
DJ/Band: Toast & Jam (Laura Jellum)
First Dance: “I Like the Way this is Going” by Eels and “I’ve Just Seen a Face” by the Beatles
Father/daughter: “Seven Spanish Angels” by Willy Nelson and Ray Charles
Q&A with the bride and groom:
What was the most memorable moment of your day?
Sarah: Mark’s speech to me during dinner
Mark: The first dance & the surreal atmosphere for pictures at The Bean in Millennium Park
What was your favorite detail?
Sarah: The gorgeous calla lilly and submerged orchid flower arrangements on the tables when we walked into the ballroom — the whole room looked so beautiful and sparkling with all the candles
Mark: Signature drinks (dirty martini for Sarah, dry martini for Mark)
Funniest memory from your wedding day?
Sarah: My dad’s speech (about how he has 3 daughters, a wife, and a granddaughter and how relieved he is to finally have some sons-in-law.
Mark: Bethany getting in the middle of the road and stopping traffic on the LaSalle Street Bridge. Potentially disastrous, and I’m not sure it was all that funny, but it was definitely extraordinary
Any advice for future brides/grooms?
Sarah: SAVOR it — enjoy talking to as many of your guests as you can because it goes by SO fast!
Mark: All the hard work leading up to the wedding pays off once the wedding weekend rolls around
If you could do it all over, would you change anything?
Sarah: Nothing.
Mark: We’d like a string quarter for ceremony and/or cocktail hour
Where did you go on your honeymoon?
Sarah: Costa Rica
Mark: Costa Rica (Playa Flamingo — Pacific Coast 30 miles west of Liberia)