East Coast Couple, Third Coast Wedding

It didn't take long for David and Marina's romance to blossom after meeting online five years ago.

The couple realized their relationship was definitely meant to be when Marina met David's parents for the first time at a Cubs game.

Marina and David had been dating for about three years when they were living in San Francisco for a year and a half. One day, David surprised Marina with a special weekend trip to a winery in Carmel, Calif. There, he had an even more special surprise planned.

"He proposed soon after arriving at the hotel," Marina says. "I was surprised and overjoyed. The rest of the weekend was spent tasting wine, dining and going to the spa."

Though they currently live in New York, David and Marina planned an amazing Chicago wedding that was memorable for both Big Apple and Windy City guests alike.

Utilizing the fabulous InterContinental Chicago O'Hare hotel for the wedding and reception allowed the couple to conveniently accommodate out-of-town attendees. Wearing a strapless mermaid-style lace gown, Marina clutched a chic-looking ball of predominantly green blooms, while bridesmaids wore bold colored gowns and carried smaller arrangements that mirrored the reception centerpieces.

"I wanted a dress that was classic but not a ball gown," the bride says "I wanted to look like me on the day of my wedding."

To give the ceremony a "Midsummer's Night Dream" feel, the couple brought in plenty of jewel tones, gold colors and glowing candles. At their reception, high centerpieces for round tables and low centerpieces for square tables, along with golden candelabras and flower petals added unique but elegant touches to the occasion. Custom lighting, radiant green tablecloths, gold Chiviari chairs and gold napkins completed the scene.

"Everything looked like it sparkled and glowed," Marina says.

Guests dined on an exquisite surf and turf feast of Chilean sea bass, petite fillet with mashed potatoes and sautéed veggies. Marina and David's wedding cake featured fondant that looked like the lace on Marina's dress. Since the bride loves carrot cake, and always wanted it for her wedding cake flavor, the couple's multi-tier treat offered carrot cake from top to bottom.

The Ralph Wilder Orchestra provided live music, with Marina and David choosing Stevie Wonder's "Overjoyed" for their first dance.

"The day was wonderful," Marina says. "Everything went according to plan. My favorite part was our first dance and the dance with my father."

The newlyweds honeymooned in Turkey and Greece, finding a particular affinity for Turkey where they fell in love with the culture, the people and awesome cuisine.

Be in the moment! The wedding really does fly by!