Erin & Scott: Celebrating Our Wedding Day One Year Later
How do you even begin to write about your OWN wedding day?!
The hard work from every vendor leading up to this day, the outstanding execution, and the special memories made deserve so much more than a short blog post, but I will try to do the beauty justice!
On October 9th, 2021 Scott and I finally made it official and got married at Eaglewood Resort and Spa in Itasca with all of our loved ones to witness. Our focus was on the celebration of togetherness, fun, and of course love. We celebrated the love we have for one another and the love we have for our friends and family who came to support us. We realize how important they are to us, and we realize how they have been so generous to us throughout the course of our lives and relationship. We wanted to give back to them with great food, great music, and a great party!
The days and weeks leading up to the wedding, and honestly the day of, feel like a blur, which is why I am so so happy to have these gorgeous photos by Renae with City Savvy Imaging to help us remember each and every moment. We were so thrilled with her clean, clear, and accurate depiction of color and composition. She captured every important element from the first look with my parents, to Scott’s dance with his Mom, to our favorite song on the dance floor.
We were lucky to have a beautiful, warm fall day which meant we could take photos outside before the ceremony for our first look and wedding party photos. YES our wedding party was huge. NO I do not regret that! It was filled with family, and our best friends from every walk of life.
We couldn't have rangled this huge group, or done any of the other coordinating, without the team at Wedicity, especially Tionna and Kristina. With so many moving parts, hiring a wedding planner was #1 on the to-do list. They guided us through the planning process effortlessly, but their shining moment was the big day. I truly had not one care in the world knowing I was in good hands with them.
The beginning of the day when everyone is getting ready, and everything is coming together was a slower time to take it in, breathe, and stay grounded. We honored Scott’s Dad with a watch that had been his, my Grandmothers with vintage pins and a purse that had been theirs, and pearls my Dad gave my Mom on their wedding day. These little details made the day that much more meaningful.
I couldn't have been happier with my hair done by Danni Sullivan. Danni has been doing my hair since high school. To have her do my hair for prom, and also my wedding was so special to me. It was OUTSTANDING and totally impressive! I was in love with my make up by Tricia Clarke Makeup who, most importantly, made me feel like ME but better. I have never been more satisfied in my life!
Scott and the rest of the men had suits from The Suit Shop which looked so clean and handsome!
The ceremony was exactly as I always imagined it. Intimate, short, sweet, and filled with so much personality and love. One of my dearest friends officiated and Scott and I wrote our own vows which made it feel so special and custom. My Aunts, and Scott’s Brother did a reading, and my Cousin sang Ave Maria. It was PERFECT.
After family photos and cocktail hour we eagerly made our way into the reception.
We were STUNNED by the gorgeous flowers from Hedonia. We really wanted to capture our fun and colorful personalities with fun and colorful flowers! Hedonia did such a great job seeing our vision and bringing it to life.
How could I not mention THE CAKES!!
On the center of the dance floor was a display with 5 cakes meant to pay homage to Scott’s Italian background. Scott’s Mom was born in Italy and moved here when she was young. We had to have not only an over the top cake display, but also an Italian cookie table that was overflowing with authentic and delicious cookies and pastries. When you own a cake company, you DO NOT skimp on dessert.
We love the cracked organic looking ceramics, structures, and stone work inspired by pillars and buildings in Italy as well as the fabric draping elements from statues. This along with the bright flowers is what inspired all 5 cakes which are meant to be similar but different from one another. We cut the cakes with an authentic sword from Lord of the Rings that was given to us by my Brother in Law.
Because I didn't want to have to worry about the cake during the week of the wedding, my team did an EXCELLENT job of delivering and setting up the display. It took multiple cars and lots of hard work to pull off this many cakes! I couldn't be more thrilled with how it turned out.
But I also HAD to gift Scott a surprise Groom’s cake!
Scott is a Packers fan and a Star Wars fan, so a Darth Vader Cheese Head brought in by Storm Troopers was the only option!
After a delicious dinner, speeches, and dances everyone made their way to the dance floor. DJ DJones took us through the end of the night with a playlist full of bangers and family favorites. He even let us do a little impromptu karaoke situation which is one of my favorite memories from the evening!
We cannot thank our parents, our families, our friends, our wedding party, and our vendors enough for making our wedding day the best day of our lives. We are so fortunate to have such a vast, strong, and loving support system who came from all over the country to celebrate us and our marriage. One year later, and I am still overwhelmed with the joy that was felt that weekend, and I just want to relive it again and again with the photos and videos.
Vendors:
Wedding Planner: @wedicity_chi
Ceremony & Reception Venue:: @eaglewoodresort
Caterer: @eaglewoodresort
Florist: @hedoniaflowers
Photographer: @citysavvyimaging
Videographer: @toastweddingfilms
Entertainment: @djdjones
Cake/Desserts: @ecbg_studio
Charger Plates: @dishanddecorvintagerental
Napkin Linen: @windycitylinen
Backdrop Rental: @chicagolandluxerentals
Accommodations: @eaglewoodresort
Hair Stylist: @dannisullivan
Make Up Artist: @triciaclarkemakeup
Dress: @aliceinivorybridal
Bridesmaids Dresses: @davidsbridal
Suits: @suitshopofficial
Invitations & Escort Cards: @minted
Menu Cards: @ericksondesignchicago
Welcome sign: @rustiqueswan
