WOW. Where do I even begin with Alyssa + Patrick. Throughout their planning process, it became clear that they are a resilient couple with a deep, deep love for each other and their life together. Alyssa, Patrick, Joann, and I started planning in the summer of 2018 for a 2020 Memorial Day wedding… and we all know what happened next. This couple rescheduled their wedding four times over the course of the next two years. On June 17, 2022, they were finally able to celebrate with friends and family (including the groom’s family from England when the borders finally opened!) and boy, was it worth the wait!! The joy in the room was palpable, and tears were shed on (more than) a few occasions. Not only that, but the couple has a keen design eye and everything was curated - from their welcome table of Pimm’s, to an escort card display of luggage tags and table numbers highlighting their travels together, to an incredible end of night outfit change - which made it a guest experience for the books.

All in all, we worked together for four years to create an unforgettable evening to celebrate this couple, and it was worth every second. I want to extend a humongous thank you to their vendor team (check the whole list out at the bottom of this post) for sticking with us through the reschedules and working so hard to create a perfect night for A+P. On a personal note, this couple (and their people) made me feel like family and I am so grateful to be in their orbit.

Congrats, you two. - Olivia

All photos courtesy of Wild Heart Visuals.

The morning of Alyssa + Patrick’s wedding day, the girls gathered in the Loft at Artifact Events to get glammed up, relax, and get ready for the day. Rare Bird Beauties and Beauty by Ann Krause were on site while the ladies sipped champagne and opened their beautifully curated gifts from the bride.

Patrick and his gents spent a quiet morning downtown, and stopped by a local pub for a pre-first look beer.

As the guys were relaxing a few blocks away, Alyssa changed into her gorgeous gown designed by Made with Love Bridal, purchased locally at Bella Bleu Bridal boutique. She had a sweet reveal with her bridesmaids, who were all wearing different black dresses, but her first look with her dad was just perfect.

But one of the most memorable moments of the day was the couple’s first look, set above Artifact’s North Atrium in their new second floor space. All of the worry and anticipation of the last four years melted away as the couple were finally able to see each other.

Soon, it was time for the ceremony, held in the Courtyard at Artifact Events. It was a picturesque early summer day. The couple’s friend officiated the ceremony and when they got to their personal vows.. not a dry eye! After the ceremony finished they walked down the aisle and gave me the biggest hug as they passed me - “we did it!!!!”

Before we get into the rest of the night, I need to share their details with you. As I mentioned, everything was beautifully coordinated. The custom escort display by Cedar & Spice and stationery / letting by The Lettering Bee was just perfect. We sourced tabletop rentals from Tablescapes and Chicago Vintage Weddings . All of these pieces, combined with Bird & Bumble’s stunning floral palette, made every corner of the place beautiful.

Okay, so moved to cocktail hour and then dinner in the Ravenswood Room. Dinner was peppered with moving speeches, an intimate cake cutting, and a gorgeous sunset. At the end of dinner, the couple made a brief speech and encouraged their guests to move to the Atrium where Bluewater Kings was set and kicked off the night.

One of the reasons the couple postponed their wedding was so that they could have a proper party – and party they did!! Alyssa’s dad got up on stage to drum with the band, the bride and groom changed their attire, and enjoyed some fantastic dessert and late night snacks. It was truly a wedding to remember.