Chrissy and John surprised everyone at their Chicago tent wedding… no one knew it was a wedding! What everyone thought was an engagement party turned into a beautiful outdoor wedding, including a dog adoption on site! The best thing about being around puppies? Everyone is extra happy! And one little doggie found a new home, with a wedding vendor!
I asked Chrissy and John to describe their day:
How did you meet and what do you love about each other?
We met when we were 18 our freshman year of college through a mutual friend. Neither of us were looking for a “serious relationship”, but had an instant connection and quickly found ourselves falling in love. We haven’t looked back since. I love that John is clever, romantic, strong, and tender. He is always so generous with his time, actions, and thoughts for anyone who needs him. He is the only one that has the ability to make me feel cherished, beautiful, and loved- all of the time. I love Chrissy for her strong will. She is fiercely intelligent and confident, something that I hadn’t seen to such a high degree before I met her. She challenges me to be the best I can be, and is supportive no matter what the task. Loving each other has always been so incredibly easy because we laugh together, dream together, surprise each other, support one another, and challenge ourselves.
Why did you choose this venue, this city and your vendors?
We never really thought of getting married anywhere else but my (bride) parents’ home. As a couple and as individuals we have felt so supported and love by our families that it only made sense to get married on land that held great memories, friendships, and reflected the importance of family in our lives.
We tried utilize our community for some of the vendors, all the beer was supplied by our local brewery that was opened by members of our community. The coffee was supplied by our local non-profit coffee shop in town. The cake was made by my sister, and our potted plants and landscaping were done by company whose owner was taught by my mom in SundaySchool. The other vendors started falling in place with the help of Kate at Chicago Vintage Weddings. We gave her our ideas and the vendors did an amazing job to deliver. Vendors – Evil Horse Brewing Company, Edge Coffee House & Roasting Company, Priority Landscape, Hearty Boys Catering, Blue Peak Tents, Atmosphere Events, Soundtronics. One Tail at A Time Dog Rescue
What moments do you treasure most from your wedding?
The fact that we pulled off the surprise was great. We originally told guests and family we were getting married at a later date and this was our Engagement Celebration. We really wanted to throw a great party for our friends and family with no expectations or obligations of a traditional wedding. Seeing the reactions of our guests and having the opportunity to talk with them as the night went on made the months of planning worth it. I will never forget seeing Chrissy come down the hill with her Dad during the ceremony. It filled me with more emotion than I thought it would, and I think the guests could all feel it as well. The entire thing went by so quickly that I barely had time to look around, but one moment I do remember was looking up with Chrissy while the ceremony was finishing up, and seeing everyone smiling, including our dog laying who was watching from the aisle.
I truly treasure the whole weekend in my heart, but one of the moments that sticks out in my mind is when John’s cufflink broke. He had a mother of pearl cufflink that he purchased for his suit and one of the ends broke when he was putting them on. Instead of trying to super glue it – my idea- my Dad had a pair of my grandfather’s cufflinks that matched perfectly. I cherish the memory of my Dad putting the cufflinks on John and then helping him with the studs for his shirt. It was perfect.
I also hold close to me the silence my family and I shared before we walked down the aisle. Having surprised my sisters and Dad with the ceremony that evening (and boy were they surprised!), they did not have much time to digest the whole event. John did not want to see me in my wedding gown, so we waited in a separate room until he walked down the aisle. There was a very raw, emotional, and beautiful moment of silence that filled my family while we were all together for the last time before I was married. So much happiness that we didn’t have the words to share, so we were just there together in that moment.
Seeing John’s face as I came down the aisle was incredible. If I could relive that every day for the rest of my life, I would.
Thank you so much, Chrissy & John, I had an incredible time documenting your day. I wish you nothing but continued happiness (and puppies!)
Wedding Planner: Kate Lerman, Chicago Vintage Weddings
Associate Photographer: Chris Murphy
Caterer: Hearty Boys
Florals/Lighting: Atmosphere Events
Dog Rescue: One Tail At A Time
Tent: Blue Peak Tent
Sound: Soundtronix
Refreshments: Dark Horse Brewery
