AELO Alumni | Sarah + Ben, 7/22/16

VENUE: PINSTRIPES | PHOTOGRAPHER: JOLIE IMAGES | CUPCAKES: COURAGEOUS BAKERY | DJ & PHOTOBOOTH: EXTREME SOUNDS ENTERTAINMENT | VIDEOGRAPHY: ARMOR ENTERPRISES

For a couple who has been together since they met in high school and who have already started a family (think: beautiful little red headed flower girls who look EXACTLY like their mama), Sarah and Ben were both nervous balls of energy before their wedding ceremony; they were so eager to marry one another! They took their vows on one of the hottest days of the year this July at Pinstripes in Oak Brook, a fitting location as they had their first date at a bowling alley. This was followed by a delicious family-style dinner, heartfelt speeches that had us in tears, and dance floor that didn’t stop until the very end of the night. Sarah and Ben were the sweetest, most appreciative couple; they put so much effort into their homemade centerpieces, favors, and décor. It was lovely to set it all up and help their special day come together. Congratulations “love birds”! 

AELO Alumni | Rachel + Michael, 6/25/16

VENUE: CITY WINERY | PHOTOGRAPHY: JENNIFER KATHRYN PHOTOGRAPHY | VIDEOGRAPHY: REM PHOTOGRAPHY + VIDEOGRAPHY | FLORIST: DAHLIA BLOOMS | PHOTOBOOTH: SHUTTERBOOTH | DJ: TOAST + JAM | CEREMONY MUSIC: MOELLER MUSIC | HAIR + MAKEUP: NIKA VAUGHAN BRIDAL ARTISTS

The adorable Rachel and Mike celebrated their big day at City Winery on a lovely summer day. Their beautiful courtyard ceremony was filled with love and light and as always Toast & Jam got everyone on their feet during the reception. Congratulations, we wish you all the best!

AELO Alumni | Garrett + Minda, 8/24/16

VENUE: REDFIELD ESTATE | PHOTOGRAPHY: CUSIC PHOTOGRAPHY | CATERING: HANDCUT FOODS (The groom's company!) | CAKE: AMY BECK CAKE DESIGN | PHOTOBOOTH CAMERA: SHUTTERBOX ENTERTAINMENT | FLORALS: NILEE EVENT DECOR | HAIR AND MAKEUP: TOTAL IMAGE BRIDAL | DJ: TOAST + JAM | ROLLS ROYCE: CLASSIC WEDDING CAR | VIDEOGRAPHY: VANILLA VIDEO

What an incredible day. After rain threatened, we ended up with sunshine and warmth (and a lot of humidity). Garrett and Minda tied the knot at the glorious Redfield Estate in August. It was an incredibly emotional ceremony followed by delicious hors d'oeuvres, an excellent buffet of Chicago style hot dogs and Italian beef, and an awesome dance party! Minda's father made the cutest photobooth, the Rocky theme played during their first kiss, and let's just bask in the glory that was Minda's dresses. What a queen. Candice Cusic captured their day so beautifully, up until they left in the vintage Rolls Royce.

We wish these two beautiful people a happy and long life together! 

AELO Alumni | Christina + Chris, 7/9/16

CEREMONY: MADONA DELLA STRADA | RECEPTION: HILTON ROSEMONT | PHOTOGRAPHER: SPRUNG PHOTO | VIDEOGRAPHER: FRED FOX | PHOTOBOOTH: YOUR NIGHT PRODUCTIONS | DJ: C-4 ENTERTAINMENT | FLORIST: AVANT GARDENIA | DECOR: YANNI DESIGNS | ICE SCULPTURE: ART BELOW ZERO | LATE NIGHT SNACK: GENE + JUDE'S HOT DOGS

Christina and Chris' wedding was so romantic. The wedding took place at the gorgeous Madonna della Strada Chapel at Loyola University. Christina, a teacher and Chris, a firefighter, were so excited to become husband and wife.  You could see how much love they had for each other throughout the whole day. After the beautiful ceremony, guests headed to the reception at the Hilton Rosemont. An amazing wine glass ice sculpture was the focal point of the place card table. Guests were in amazement of this "cool" piece (get it?!). Christina and Chris did not disappoint. They truly wanted to make this day a special one for everyone involved.  They wanted their parents to have a special dance as well, so they asked all of the parents out onto the dance floor to enjoy a dance with them.  To the parent's surprise, the DJ then proceeded to play each parent's own wedding song. It was a very special moment for everyone to watch.  Chris and Christina wanted to give their guests a special treat, so as the night was close to an end, a cart of Gene and Jude's hotdogs was rolled out.  Needless to say, these two know how to throw a party! Congratulations, you two! We wish you a lifetime of happiness.

AELO Alumni | Allison + Jonathan, 6/17/16

VENUE: CHATEAU RITZ | PHOTOGRAPHY: ROBYN RACHEL PHOTOGRAPHY | CAKE: SUGAR HILLS BAKERY | FLORIST: LIFE IN BLOOM | LIGHTING + DRAPING: A POSH PRODUCTION | CEREMONY MUSICIANS: MAGNOLIA STRINGS | DJ: A-Z ENTERTAINMENT | VIDEOGRAPHER: SOMETHING NEW MEDIA | HAIR + MAKE UP:

Allison and Jonathan's day was one right out of the storybooks.  The wedding took place at the Chateau Ritz and it was a beautiful setting for these two.  The romantic ceremony set the tone for the whole day. Allison truly looked like a princess as she walked down the candle lit aisle.  After the wedding, the couple greeted all of their guests just as the King and Queen of England would. They walked out onto the balcony overlooking all of their guests who were waving American and British flags. They waved to their adoring guests and then proceeded down the elegant staircase surrounded by their loving bridal party. As they walked through their loved ones, guests threw rose petals on the beautiful couple.  The rest of the evening was filled with laughter, dancing and most of all, love. They even had the amazing John Cleese provide a speech for the couple! We wish these two a lifetime of love and happiness!