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Nine months before she said “I do,” Sam and I met in Chicago. We instantly hit it off and began talking ideas for a three-day wedding celebration right away. Sam is one of the most creative brides I have ever worked with. I absolutely loved her vision and style. She thoroughly thought through every detail of the wedding weekend. It was incredibly special to make her dreams a reality and see all of them come to life.

Sam and Tommy met in New York City, got engaged in Mexico, and moved to London during the engagement. Sam grew up in Chicago and knew the Windy City was the perfect location for her and Tommy’s nuptials. We planned the three-day wedding extravaganza thanks to technology and a few visits to Chicago.

With three days of jaw-dropping events, there’s so much to share. First, we’ll start with an elaborate, black-tie, sit-down dinner for their dearest friends and family that kicked off the wedding weekend. The evening began with Sam and Tommy saying their vows for the first time in front of this intimate group of people at St. James Chapel in downtown Chicago. Sam looked stunning in her gown that she designed alongside Reem Acra.

After the ceremony, bagpipers lead the group down the street to the beautiful and historical Driehaus Museum. Guests enjoyed passed Champagne, cocktails, and hors d’oeuvres on the first level of the museum before the private guided tours began.

Guests were then directed to an incredible place card display upstairs that replicated the look of the ballroom with everyone’s name beautifully written in their designated spot– a very special touch and now keepsake for the bride and groom! The setting of the ballroom was so romantic. Floral, with garden roses, peonies, thistles, succulents, berries, and parrot tulips in a palette of pinks, red, burgundy, apricot, blue, and green, winded all the way down the long King’s Table set in the center of the room. Bunches of fruit such as red and burgundy grapes, pomegranates, and pears were dripping out of the vessels to coordinate with the elegant Gilded Age theme. Gold-rimmed glassware, royal derby china, and personalized menus introducing the 10-course tasting menu with wine pairings completed each place setting. It was the perfect, intimate way to celebrate the couple and kick off the rest of the events.

Event Details:

Coordinator: Jaclyn Duffield, JDetailed Events, Inc. / Venue: Driehaus Museum / Catering: Jewell Events Catering / Photography: Matt Ferguson / Videographer: Jet Kaiser Films / Floral and Decor: Larkspur / Lighting: Sound Investment / Wedding Cake: Cake Chicago / Pianist: James Cebastien / Stationary: The Grosvenor Stationary Company