I had the absolute pleasure of working with the most gorgeous couple for their unique {and shall we say unexpected?!} winter wedding in December.
Nadere and Jeff were engaged only a handful of months before their wedding day – the two have been together for ages and knew they didn’t want a long engagement. They also acknowledged early on that they wanted the wedding to be less about the spotlight, the show and teeny tiny details, but more about a celebration of the clear and complete love they share. When one jokingly suggested they should host a surprise wedding, they both giggled at the thought. And then they stepped back, individually, and let the ‘silly’ idea sink in a bit. They were sold.
With only their parents, their best man and matron of honour in the know, Nadere and Jeff began the preparations for the surprise of a lifetime. Under the false pretense that the couple was going to get married privately in the Caribbean this coming spring, they decided to host an “engagement party” for all friends and family to locally share in the excitement of their future nuptials…
It was an icy, wintery Chicago day – but the sun was shining as the couple shared their ‘first meeting’ in their cozy room with a view, at Trump.
The couple dressed in their wedding attire for their first meeting, but had to change into cocktail attire before leaving their hotel room in case anyone were to spot them en route to the venue.
Dressed and ready {wedding dress sneakily in tow} , the couple made their way over to Prairie Productions.
Midway through the cocktail hour, we discretely stole the bride, groom and family away to prepare for the ceremony. The charming grandfather of the groom addressed guests with what started as a lovely toast to the couple…but swiftly changed gears as he clued everyone in on the big secret. Simultaneously, the curtains were drawn to reveal a second room, lit by dancing candlelight and set for a wedding ceremony.
What started as confusion, progressed momentarily with caution, and then rapidly morphed to disbelief and sheer enthusiastic excitement. Guests charged the ceremony area like bulls gunning for the red cape.
A glammed-up Olga clearly couldn’t contain her excitement, either.
The dapper officiant was a long time friend of the groom, able to provide insightfully heartfelt and honest touching words about Nadere and Jeff {artfully wedged in between witty cracks}.
The dazzling ceremony lasted less than 30 minutes and had guests riveted and beaming with excitement the whole time.
Mazel mazel.
After the ceremony, guests were ushered back to the foyer for a second cocktail hour {fun or trouble?!} as we all pitched in to transform the ceremony room into the simple and elegant reception. The lovely Amy of Blumen had perfectly chic collections of monogfloral bundles of white flowers including lisianthus {above}, orchids and roses detailing the varied white linen-clad dinner tables.
The sweet-as-pie matron of honour {and owner of the fabulously popular neighborhood hotspot – and personal fav – Gemini Bistro!} was beyond thrilled to finally speak openly about the true excitement she had to suppress during her months of secrecy.
To call the love and adoration, between Nadere and Jeff, evident, is quite the understatement. It simply radiates off each of them!
The night continued to buzz with excitement, guests danced and danced and danced and danced {to the fantastic sounds of Front of House} and this couple will certainly live happily ever after…
Nadere and Jeff: Thank you for letting me in on your little {big} secret – it was a blast from start to finish.
Xx.
{image credits} all photos taken by fig media