Wedding and the City

Diana and Joseph met in 2001 while visiting a neighborhood hangout with mutual friends.

Although there definitely was a spark, the pair didn’t immediately get a chance to date. Both in their early 20s, they lost touch and drifted apart while Joseph attended college at DePaul University. Five whole years passed before one evening Joseph and his cousin decided to go out to a classy suburban cocktail lounge. And just who happened to be waitressing that night? Diana, of course!

“It was a really pleasant surprise to see him,” Diana recalls. “Like I remembered, he was dressed to impress, looking handsome and still had that adorable smile. I slipped away and took a quick glance at myself to check my hair and lipstick to make sure I looked sexy as well.”

A few days later, Diana and Joseph were going on their first official date at the Erie Café in downtown Chicago, where they would later have their rehearsal dinner. Although it took five years to get together, becoming engaged took only six months. Joseph decided it was time for he and Diana to take their first vacation together as a couple, and invited her to Miami for a week. It was at sunset on the balcony of their vacation condo that Joseph proposed.

“He got down on one knee, opened the ring box and asked, ‘Diana will you marry me?’ Diana recalls. “With tears in my eyes, I smiled and looked right into his eyes. I proudly said, ‘Yes, of course I will!’ For about 10 minutes, we hugged, smiled, laughed, cried and kissed each other. “

When planning their big day, Diana and Joseph set out to create a summer wedding scene that celebrated the glitz and glam of Chicago.

The couple exchanged vows at Old St. Patrick’s Church, chosen for its spectacular detail that included cathedral ceilings, gorgeous light and stained glass windows. Adding to the magical atmosphere was a five-piece orchestra hired through the church to play music before the ceremony and during the mass.

“When they opened the church doors, as the introduction of the bridal chorus was being played, I didn’t know exactly what I was going to do,” Diana says. “I just looked straight ahead, down the aisle, really focusing only on Joseph. I was taking in the whole walk and moment as much as I could, to remember forever.”

Even if Diana’s eyes were only on Joseph, guests’ eyes likely all were on her, as she wore a satin form fitting dropped waist custom designed dress in a semi-mermaid style. The bride’s gown, which boasted a 9-foot long train, was complemented by her long veil, which formed a soft “V” at the bottom, and featured silver trim and Swarovski crystals that glistened in the light.
White miniature calla lilies, white hydrangeas and lilac hydrangeas tucked between Volkerfrieden Delphinium royal blue florets made up the bride’s bouquet, with white satin and pearl detail completing the design.

Although the ceremony definitely had the “wow” factor the couple envisioned, their W Chicago City Center reception was even more impressive. Custom rentals of everything from tables and chairs to lighting and linens helped to set the scene.  Gorgeous arrangements including calla lilies lavender “ocean song”, white polar star roses, lavender snapdragons, dark purple lisianthus, lavender hydrangea, blue hydrangea, lavender stock and green Fuji mums atop three foot tall antique silver risers decorated each table.

Guests feasted on a dinner of roasted herb and garlic chicken breast alongside beef medallions with natural au jus with Peruvian three-potato risotto ball, mixed French greens beans and roasted red peppers. For dessert, the couple’s four-tier cake featured multiple flavors of cannoli filling, as well as white mousse and strawberry preserves.

An elegant dance floor lit with the newlywed’s monogram provided the perfect spot for grooving to club DJ Joe Nardi.
“I felt like a Hollywood bride, but in a magnificent Chicago setting and background with all the historic architecture and design,” the bride says. “Our wedding was very detailed because we put the whole theme and décor together on our own with our own ideas and are thrilled how it turned out to be our own ‘platinum wedding’ with what we envisioned. Seeing it come together as beautifully as it did made us proud.”

Something Old
A special handkerchief Diana’s mom wanted her to carry for wiping away tears of happiness

Something New
Diana’s dress

Something Borrowed
Antique heirloom diamond earrings loaned to Diana from a relative of the groom

Something Blue
Manolo Bhahnik royal blue satin pumps

Hire a planner.

Put on a great smile along with your wedding dress, shoes and jewelry and enjoy every moment of the day to the fullest.

Hire a good photographer and make a list of specific shots you want taken.

In the end, it’s all about you and your husband, so live it up!