Vintage Elegance, Big City Glam

Tamara met Brian at a friend's party during her first year of law school at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Although Brian had recently graduated from the same school, the two had never crossed paths.

"We always thought it was so ironic that we had many mutual friends at U of I but never met while in college," the bride says.

Within six months of dating, Brian found his feelings for Tamara growing stronger, and says her amazing cooking skills and his love of food definitely helped strengthen his love.

The couple had been dating for two and a half years when, on Brian's birthday, he took Tamara to dinner and afterward to one of their favorite locations, The Cancer Survivors Garden in Grant Park. There, Brian set up a blanket and candles and presented Tamara with a storybook he'd created about their relationship. At the end of the story, Brian pulled out a ring and asked Tamara to be his wife. Within a few minutes both of their families showed up, champagne in hand to toast the newly engaged couple.

"It was perfect and had the perfect Chicago skyline in view to complete the entire moment," Tamara says.

From a church that had sentimental significance to a reception locale that helped celebrate their love of Chicago, Brian and Tamara put their personal touches on every aspect of their wedding day.

The church were the couple exchanged vows, Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Glenview, was not only the same church where Tamara's parents married, but where Tamara was baptized and had her First Communion.

Tamara captivated guests in her trumpet-shaped gown, made completely of ivory lace with a vanilla satin underlay, with a cathedral length lace trim veil to complete the look.

"My wedding gown was my absolute favorite thing," the bride says. "The most fantastic thing about it that really pulled it together was the Lazaro belt made of ivory ribbon, pearls and crystals. It gave this vintage looking dress the glam and touch of modernity that I wanted."

Tamara carried a mix of cream hydrangeas and Picasso calla lilies.

"The Picasso calla lilies added that touch of eggplant to tie in the bridesmaid dresses and the men's boutonnieres," Tamara says.

Since Brian and Tamara wanted to give guests a taste of the city that was such a big part of their romance, they could think of no better place than Cathedral Hall at University Club of Chicago.

"Cathedral Hall offers great views of Lake Michigan and Millennium Park," Tamara says. The room itself is beautiful with a medieval style that reminded us of scenes from Harry Potter, which we are both huge fans of."

To pay tribute to Tamara's Middle Eastern culture, the cocktail hour included various Middle Eastern delicacies such as falafel and hummus, kibbeh and beef kabobs.

Dinner featured selections of roasted gulf shrimp with leek fondue and sweet corn broth, filed greens with pistachio crusted goat cheese, balsamic roasted pears and balsamic vinaigrette as well as a main course of beef tenderloin, halibut or a vegetarian option.

Instead of a traditional cake, the newlyweds offered guests a massive sweets table with chocolate torte, mini crème brulee, lemon tarts, baklava and other goodies. In addition to a DJ, the couple hired a live band specializing in Middle Eastern and Southern Spanish music. The bride's sister, accompanied by her cousin on the piano, sang Adele's version of "Make You Feel My Love" for the couple's first dance.

"We loved our wedding day and everything went wonderfully," Tamara says. "The reception was amazing. We ate and danced all night long."

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