A hunter green color palette, moody photography, and gorgeous florals are just a few reasons why we love this industrial wedding at Chicago wedding venue, The Arbory.
Laura and Melissa’s love story sparked on the dating app Bumble – a virtual connection that would ignite a lifetime of happiness. Amid a comedy of errors, their first date took an unexpected turn. “It was at this typically cute and quiet bar, but we didn’t realize it was actually a University of Michigan bar [in Chicago] on the night of the NCAA Championship game … when Michigan was playing,” laughs the brides. As the Wolverines descended, they diverted to Laura’s favorite burger restaurant in the area. Little did Laura know that this was the moment she discovered Melissa’s secret — she’s a vegan.
Clearly, Melissa’s vegan diet didn’t thwart Laura, as they enjoyed the next three-and-a-half years together, upon which they knew the time had come to take the next step: getting engaged. Enveloped in an air of mystery and thrill, they set a date, agreeing that any day thereafter would mark the perfect moment to propose. Melissa honed her skills in secret, mastering the ukulele to serenade Laura. Meanwhile, Laura planned a Karaoke party, where a heartfelt rendition of “Melly, Marry Me” would grace the airwaves. Fate, however, intervened when Laura stumbled upon the ukulele in an unexpected place. “Instead, we decided to plan a ‘perfect day’ where we started by walking to Humboldt Park, our favorite park, with our dog and proposing quietly to each other along the pond,” exclaim the brides.
Deeper into their wedding planning process, Laura and Melissa resolved to move back to the East Coast, closer to their families. To honor their time in Chicago, they orchestrated a wedding that paid homage to the city that stole their hearts. Florals of greenery sprinkled with terra cotta roses and deep purple ranunculus transformed the industrial warehouse space. Taking inspiration from the rich hues of fall and talented local vendors, their ceremony and reception enchanted all who attended.
Adorned in Romona Kaveza from Dimitra’s Bridal, Laura felt effortlessly radiant, while Melissa graced the scene in a custom suit from Richard Bennett Tailors, a testament to her extraordinary style.
Approaching the wedding day, Laura and Melissa knew they had assembled an incredible team of vendors to materialize their dreams. Each detail, crafted individually, merged together flawlessly to paint a picture of pure bliss. Laura marveled at the moment she and Melissa were led into the dining area, finally absorbing all the careful touches they had orchestrated tirelessly for months on end. “Leading up to the wedding, you really never see all the pieces come together — you work independently with each vendor sharing your vision and dreams, and so seeing everything together is part of the excitement of the weekend,” notes Laura.
“The whole wedding was so full of love and electric energy. But for me, walking down the aisle was one of those surreal moments in one’s life where the world feels like it stops for just a moment, and the love of all your friends and family who traveled near and far just washes over you,” she continues.
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