AELO Alumni | Kaitlin + Rich, 6/2/18

VENUE: FOUNTAIN BLUE | PHOTOGRAPHY, VIDEOGRAPHY, PHOTOBOOTH: TIMOTHY WHALEY ASSOCIATES | DJ: LIZZIEBEATS | HAIR: LINDSEY RAGER | MAKEUP: JENNI AHERN

What a joy it is when one of AELO's very own gets married! Kaitlin has been a wonderful assistant to us these last few seasons, and seeing her get married was such a joy. Rich and Kaitlin are so in love, and they had a blast at their wedding! We loved watching them have so much fun! Disney themes were prevalent, their guests tore up the dance floor, and how about that CAKE! We love it! 

Congratulations, Kaitlin + Rich! We love you and are so happy for you!

AELO Alumni | Kate + Ted, 5/5/18

VENUE: GREENHOUSE LOFT | PHOTOGRAPHY: CAREY PRIMEAU | CATERING: ENTERTAINING COMPANY | FLORIST: FOUR FINCHES | CAKE + CUPCAKES: SWEET MANDY B'S | DJ: RICK @ TEN TWELVE ENTERTAINMENT | VIDEOGRAPHY: VANILLA VIDEO

What an incredible evening. We had so much fun with the down-to-earth, hilarious, gorgeous Kate + Ted! They are so in love, and they fit together perfectly. Kate was so on top of everything, and we had a wonderful time executing her ideas. These two have so much fun together, and it showed on every minute of their wedding day. This is what a wedding is all about -- a celebration of two fantastic people surrounded by love. 

Congratulations, Kate + Ted! We absolutely adore you and know you're going to have an amazing life together.

AELO Alumni | Louise + Chas, 4/14/18

VENUE: GARFIELD PARK CONSERVATORY | PHOTOGRAPHY: SHANTI KNIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY | CATERER: FOOD FOR THOUGHT | DJ: STYLE MATTERS | FLORIST: FIELD AND FLORIST, ARRANGED BY AELO 

Louise and Chas are the sweetest couple; they recently moved to Boston together and returned to Chicago to exchange wedding vows and celebrate with their family and friends. Held at the beautiful Garfield Park Conservatory, the wedding was set with a stunning horticultural hot house as the backdrop and included a wonderful singer, piano player and string quartet. Guests meandered through the various conservatory rooms while savoring cocktails and hors d’ouevres then dined under the vaulted ceilings of Horticulture Hall, enjoyed wedding cake handmade by the mother of the groom, then danced the night away. It was stunning way for this wonderful couple to begin their married lives together. We wish them all the happiness in the world!

AELO Events | Define American Film Festival, 4/20-23

VENUE: VENUESIX10 | OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION CATERING: ENTERTAINING COMPANY | DONOR RECEPTION: THE BLACKSTONE | LIVE STREAM PARTNER: NOW THIS | TECH: MAINSTREAM MEDIA | DJ: JOSHUA LOPEZ

When Define American approached us to help plan their annual film festival, we were thrilled to be considered, and then honored to be chosen. It was an undertaking unlike any AELO has seen, and it was a massive success! Guests enjoyed an art installation of portraits of Dreamers by Helday De La Cruz, a VR demonstration, gained some knowledge at a census exhibit, took part in thought provoking discussions, laughed through a comedy night, and of course enjoyed the important films telling these stories. After each screening, guests enjoyed informative panels, featuring Nico Santos, Bambadjan Bamba, Reshma Shetty, Bethany Yellowtail, Paola Mendoza, Ala'a Basatneh, and many others.

From their website, "Define American is a non-profit media and culture organization that uses the power of story to transcend politics and shift the conversation about immigrants, identity, and citizenship in a changing America." This important work is done by a talented, dedicated, and wonderful team, with whom we had the pleasure to work for the planning process and three day weekend. You can still check out the livestreams of the panels on the website! 

If you would like to join the cause and donate to Define American, you can do so here.

AELO Alumni | Alyssa + Edward, 10/14/17

When one of us gets married, you know it's going to be gorgeous! Our fabulous Assistant Coordinator Alyssa has been a huge asset to AELO, and we were THRILLED when she got engaged and started to plan her own wedding. She tied the knot with her handsome husband Ed down in St. Louis, and we couldn't resist sharing the incredible photos from Sarah Corbett Photography. Gorgeous, no?! She is a FIERCE beauty. 

Alyssa thanks her AELO teammates who have helped her in the planning process and helped her feel cool, calm, confident, and collected the day of the wedding!