Have a favorite movie or book that you’d love to infuse into your special day but you just don’t know how to? Take a hint from this adorable bride who with small touches and details, added her favorite parts of The Wizard of Oz into her big day. There’s no beating you over the head with her theme, just small little hints like her red sparky shoes, the signature drink aptly named the ruby slipper, and a blue and white gingham check garter reminiscent of Dorothy’s dress. So cute! Robyn Rachel Photography captured all the amazing details and there’s so much more right here in the full gallery!
Don’t miss this fab film by Delack Media Group!
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From the Bride… I instantly fell in love with Germania Place! The building’s history, beautiful wood floors, high ceilings, crystal chandeliers, tall windows, excellent staff (thank you, Katie Elroy!) amazing catering … do I need to go on? I booked it before Israel even saw it (Of course I checked with him first)! I can’t take all the credit for finding this amazing location though. A few months earlier, a friend had married her high school sweetheart and held her reception there. I also found my incredible photographer and cinematographer thanks to her.
At first I didn’t know what I wanted as a theme. If I could have had it my way, it would have been Wizard of Oz. As much as Israel loves me, he was not about to let me plan our whole wedding around my favorite children’s book and movie. So we met halfway, and my bridesmaids, my mom, and I used the Wizard of Oz theme at my bridal shower. How could I resist though and not add a few subtle touches at my wedding? I wore two different pair of shoes — silver because that’s what Dorothy wore in L. Frank Baum’s book and red because Judy Garland wore ruby slippers for the movie. My flower girls even had silver and red shoes like mine! One of my bridesmaids ordered a garter that had Dorothy’s pinafore color pattern, and our signature cocktail was a concoction my mom loves to make that we call the “The Ruby Slipper.” My absolute favorite Wizard of Oz touch was the song I walked down the aisle to with my dad. My dad and I both love Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s version of “Over the Rainbow,” and I knew that would be the song I would want my dad to walk me down the aisle to at my wedding. The rest of our wedding décor and vision belongs to my mom and our florist Larry. Larry has been a family friend for a long time, and I trusted him to make a lot of the decisions for the décor of the wedding with my mom. After I chose the bridesmaids’ dresses, Larry and my mom helped me choose the best color and flower combination for our venue space. My one request was to use peonies, which are one of my favorites. To honor my grandparents who had passed away, I wanted something of theirs incorporated in my bouquet. I already had my grandmother’s cross and one of my bridesmaids surprised me with a small frame with a picture of my grandfather in the Air Force.
Israel and I wanted our wedding to be beautiful and romantic. We wanted our family and friends to have a great time and share an unforgettable night with us. We had family and friends fly in from all over the country and even England and Australia! Something Israel really wanted at our wedding was a mariachi band, and I decided to surprise him and our guests and have one perform during dinner. We had an amazing bridal party (siblings and high school friends) that were always there for us and helped out tremendously throughout the wedding. My older sister took all of the Chicago landmark photos for the tables and they all turned out incredible. Above all, I have to thank my parents for giving Israel and me a beautiful wedding that we could have never had without them. My dad even took me on my first trip to New York so I could choose jewelry for all of my bridesmaids. My mom was always there for me and helped me with planning and was at every meeting. We are so lucky to have our family and friends! Our wedding is a day we cherish for the rest of our lives!
Wedding Photography: Robyn Rachel Photography / Wedding Venue: Germania Place in Chicago, Illinois / Event Design + Planning: Kim Gapinski of Big City Bride / Floral Design: Bloomingfields Florist / Wedding Cinematography: Delack Media Group / Wedding Cake + Sweets Table: Oak Mill Bakery / Wedding Invitations: Magnificent Milestones / DJ + Lighting: Monastero Entertainment / Mariachi Band: Mariachi Real de Jalisco / Accommodations: Hotel Indigo / Transportation: Windy City Trolley / Photo Booth: The Traveling Photo Booth / Chicago Sign: Alexander & Co. / Card Sign: Any Occasion Banners / Linens: BBJ Linen / Chargers: Halls Rental / Wedding Dress: Lazaro via Bella Bianca / Bride’s Silver Shoes: Kate Spade / Bride’s Red Shoes: J.Crew / Bride’s Hair Comb: Tessa Kim / Bride’s Clutch: Jimmy Choo / Bride’s Wedding Rings: Eli Jewels + Bess Friedheim Jewelry (708-403-6868) / Hair: Nicci Lynne of Luxe Hair Lounge / Makeup: Katie Plachno of Luxe Hair Lounge / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Bridesmaids’ Jewelry: Roman & Sunstone / Personalized Hangers: Lila Frances / Men’s Tuxedos: Calvin Klein via Men’s Wearhouse