Big Win at the Track

The couple met years ago when they were both working at the Racetrack for their summer jobs. They dated almost 5 years before getting engaged.

Because Christopher works in the restaurant industry and does not have the best hours, and Kelly was going to school—they saw each other as often as their busy schedules allowed. They always made the most of the time they had with each other. The best thing about the couple is that after all the years they have been together; they still balance each other out. Chris is very relaxed while Kelly is a self admittedly high strung person. But they both always knew that they were meant for each other. Kelly calls it the ‘gut feeling’ while Chris says that the way he fell in love with his wife was never ONE particular moment that flipped the switch. "It was many moments that lead up to my decision that I wanted to create a life with her…”

When time came to get , they were walking along Upper Wacker Drive (one of their favorite places in the city) and Chris stopped, got down on one knee, and proposed. Kelly said yes immediately and was thrilled to find out that Chris had hired a photographer to take pictures of the proposal. They spent the rest of the evening walking all around the city taking pictures and finished off the night at Fulton’s on the River for dinner. It was that engagement dinner that set the stage for their wedding reception, held in the same restaurant just over one year later.

Kelly always wanted a traditional wedding, similar to her Nonny & Papa’s wedding from years ago; so there was a very traditional catholic ceremony, at St. Mary’s Church in Elgin.  The bride shone in an Enzoani gown with a Kristina Eaton veil. Her bouquet was filled with her favorite flowers: peonies, dahlias, roses and renunculas.

The reception décor included matching table centerpieces with the same assortment of florals, along with the rich tones of vintage pink, golds and tons of candles. The atmosphere at Fulton’s was exactly what the bride planned for – true romantic elegance. For a final dessert, and to honor Christopher’s Italian heritage the couple provided their guests with Italian pastries from Ferraras on Taylor Street – and as a complementary surprise, Fulton’s supplied sweet shots and fresh berries to top it off.

The couple danced and with their guests that night, and following the reception evening, they hosted a Cubs Game after wedding brunch outing to the stadium club to finish the weekend. They then traveled to St. Lucia to relax on the beach for an extended honeymoon before getting back to their ‘real lives.

Plan early and often. The more you get done soon after your engagement the more you will enjoy the weeks leading up to your wedding.

NO ONE told me how stressful the month before the wedding would be. I needed a checklist for every little detail that month.

Take the time to spend with your guests AND with your new spouse during the cocktails.

Something old: the bride’s grandmother’s earrings and grandfather’s handkerchief

Something new: the bridal gown, earrings, and shoes

Something borrowed: grandmother’s earrings

Something blue: a blue rosary that the bride carries everyday, the wedding couple’s monogram and date sewn into the dress and a Cubs™ bridal garter.