The library is by far my favorite place in the world to be, so it warms my heart when I see a fabulous soiree boasting a sweet literature theme. And this stunning Chicago affair captured by Mattson Pictures is all about the library love (and then some) with a bundle of charming book-themed details, including novels as centerpieces and some darling vintage book photo frames to showcase family weddings. LOVE that. Plus, the escort card table was crafted using antique card catalogs and that’s always a good thing. Thankfully, the gallery is literally overflowing with amazing moments, because you don’t want to miss a minute of lovely. Join me there for more!
Click here to see the entire gallery of images!
From the Bride… Phil and I met during law school at DePaul in Chicago so when we became engaged, we knew immediately that we wanted to celebrate our wedding in the same city where we laugh, love and live together. We have attended St. Michael’s Parish in Old Town as a couple for the past five years and it is home to us. Originally built in 1852, St. Michael’s is an awe-inspiring Catholic Church with beautiful old-world architecture, a magnificent clock tower that captures the essence of the historical area, and a sense of warmth and community that makes everyone feel welcome. Finding a reception location was a bit more difficult because there are so many unique venues in Chicago that it is hard to choose! We found the Murphy Auditorium unexpectedly after I saw a photo of the venue in a Chicago Bridal Magazine. When we walked into the Murphy for the first time, we fell in love with the ornate details, stained-glass windows, and the feel of old-world European architecture.
The overall theme first began with my wedding dress. I found a beautiful silk Christos by Amsale gown with a rich champagne tone that really complimented the classic, old-world Chicago look that we wanted to create. We wanted to incorporate books into our day since we spent lots of time together in the library during law school and Phil’s mother is the Director of a library in their hometown so literature is near and dear to us. Over the next eighteen months, I collected and crafted items with the help of my amazing friends and family to pull together our theme. My favorite projects were creating escort card boxes out of my mother-in-law’s antique library catalog, and creating photo frames out of old books to showcase photos of our family members on their wedding day.
We feel so fortunate that we had the opportunity to work with amazing vendors, like our photographers Karen and Doug Mattson, who are creative and unique in their work, who made us feel like a priority, and who we got along with very well from the start. We were also very lucky to have our day of coordinator, Tiffany Munster, because she orchestrated the event and made it seamless- if anything went awry, I still do not know about it!
My favorite moment of the day was standing on the altar at St. Michael’s, reciting my personal vows to Phil. I had written my vows weeks in advance and said them over and over to myself but standing up there, and for the first time, saying my vows aloud to Phil, I felt a deep sense of overwhelming joy and love for him. Everything about our day was absolutely perfect and we were so blessed to be surrounded by so many people who love and care about us! Our day was truly a reflection of us as a couple and what we love.
Wedding Photography: Mattson Pictures / Wedding Gown: Amsale / Bridesmaid Dresses: Jenny Yoo / Hair + Make-up: Beauty on Call / Floral Design: Mark Weber of Kloeckner’s / Ceremony Location: St. Michael in Old Town / Officiant: Fr. Tom Donaldson / Reception Location: The Murphy Auditorium / Caterer: Jewell Events / Ceremony Musicians: St. Michael’s Choir / Day-Of Coordinator: Tiffany Munster of Soiree Events / Invitation + Save the Date: Friend of Couple, Kari Swenson / Wedding Cake: Bittersweet / Band: Out of Control / Wedding Videography: Jenny Tunberg Productions / Calligraphy: Tasha Holland of The Purple Squid
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what a beautiful wedding and stunning bride! i would love to know where the bride's earrings are from?
Love the Murphy Auditorium--so much so that I'm getting married there next year :) Very cute couple and beautiful bride.
Dawn! Gorgeous pictures!!! Beautiful bride!! Congratulations! My wedding is in February and it looks like we have similar taste! :) We're also getting married at St. Michael's (ugh... the scaffolding...), my floral design is Kloeckners, our friend is doing our invites/save-the-dates and best of all, we are using Out of Control!! Don't you just love George?! :) I have been on the hunt for a fur shawl/stole/shrug, similar to the one you have. Do you mind me asking where you got it? I was at Nordstrom yesterday trying some on in their bridal section, but wasn't in love with any of them. Thanks! :)
AWWWW!! Love the story,the collaboration of friends and family, that's what it's all about, LOVE!!
Renee you look stunning!! I very much enjoyed working with you and you bridal party :)
This makes me so excited to host our wedding reception at the Murphy next fall!
Hey there everyone! The wedding planner/coordinator here! The bride's earrings I believe are from The Left Bank, Chicago. And I believe that she borrowed the shrug from her sister. But she may have and idea where it is from.
AJ- sounds like you have great taste in vendors! Mark from Kloeckners is great!! I have worked with him a lot!
Elle - Murphy happens to be my FAVORITE venue in Chicago!! which is also where me and my husband had our wedding! ;) maybe I am a little biased!
Happy planning to you all!
Beautiful wedding, congratulations Tiffany!!!!
Thanks KM! :D
xoxo
Congrats to the bride and groom! Your wedding is absolutely gorgeous. Can you please share where you found your dragonfly brooch for your bouquet? I love it! Thanks :)
Count us in as fans of The Murphy Auditorium when it comes to reception sites in Illinois!