From Olivia: Picking a favorite wedding of the year is like picking a favorite child – each one is unique, delightful, and beautiful in their own way – it’s impossible. But when I think back on my 2024 season, Andrew + Tim’s wedding stands out for a few reasons: 1. It was a quintessential Chicago summer Saturday 2. The Adler Planetarium is a setting like no other 3. It was full of JOY.

This is also a good time to share how grateful Team OFW is for our incredible couples and their families. We are so, so lucky to do this job and during this Thanksgiving week, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude. Thank you, thank you.

Okay, back to Andrew + Tim’s wedding day: there is so much to share about this absolutely incredible day, so read on. xo Team OFW

All photos courtesy of Tim Tab Studios.

From the beginning, we knew that Andrew + Tim’s wedding day would be a unique challenge - the Democratic Convention was scheduled for Chicago the following week so the annual Air & Water Show was moved to their wedding weekend. If you’re a Chicagoan, you know that the Air & Water Show draws a HUGE crowd to the banks of Lake Michigan and the Adler Planetarium is a prime spot for viewers. It is situated on a peninsula with only one way in and one way out, which, on a busy Chicago Saturday, can lead to lots of traffic. Furthermore, Lakeshore Drive exits are closed for miles (more about this in a second), AND we also had to contend with a concert at next-door Northerly Island. PHEW. So, as Andrew + Tim’s wedding day drew nearer, the team at Adler and I made sure we had a plan and things mostly went off without a hitch (with a few silly exceptions which you’ll read more about below)! As a planner, this is what we train for!! We were ready.

The couple got ready at the beautiful Ambassador Hotel, surrounded by family and best friends. It was a carefree morning while we waited for Tim Tab and his second to arrive. As previously mentioned, many of the Lakeshore Drive exits were closed, so I got a text from Tim Tab that they hopped out of their Uber, scaled a median, and rushed across Lakeshore Drive with their gear to get to us – true dedication to his craft!

Andrew + Tim opted to get ready together in their suit, donning custom tuxedos from Enzo Custom. I loooove how the navy of Tim’s suit and hunter green complement each other.

After finishing up at the hotel, the party jumped on a bus to head to the Art Institute Gardens. Of course, there was bumper to bumper traffic, so they crawled along and didn’t quite make it to the Gardens before they closed. Tim Tab quickly pivoted and captured some iconic shots of the couple and the party in Millennium Park.

Meanwhile, at the venue, Atmosphere Events Group and Food for Thought were setting up Andrew + Tim’s incredible ceremony on the Sundial Terrace just outside of the Planetarium’s doors. Remember how I mentioned the the Planetarium is a prime spot to view the Air & Water Show? Although the actual show had ended a few hours prior, a family was parked right behind the ceremony space… and wouldn’t move. It’s public Park District property, so security couldn’t actually ask them to move and there’s only so much a bit of begging and bribing can do, so Andrew + Tim had some extra ceremony guests they weren’t expecting! (Thankfully they were incredibly polite during the ceremony itself, but… wild!)

But that couldn’t put a damper on the exquisite and meaningful ceremony. The sun was shining just right, the ceremony was chock-full of beautiful readings shared by close family, and we all shed a few tears. It’s been less than a decade since the Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court Case ruled that the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples, and it’s impossible to overstate how much of a privilege it is to assist same-sex couples create the weddings of their dreams.

After Andrew + Tim were officially wed, we moved to the Terrace for a golden hour cocktail hour. There’s literally no need for context here - what an incredibly special evening!

While guests enjoyed the stunning setting for cocktail hour, AEG, Food For Thought and Team OFW put all of the finishing touches on the dining space. The transformation of this room from museum cafeteria to elegant wedding venue is truly amazing! They also really wanted a Glambot and a Photobooth in the space for an extra guest treat and they were packed the whole night.

Guests moved into the Solarium to find their dining tables, and after being introduced, the couple moved into an unbelievable choreographed dance to "I Love You Always Forever" by Donna Lewis. It showcased their fun-loving personalities and the room was on their feet cheering them on!

The grooms chose a stationed dinner for their guests and everyone got their fill of the yummy options! As dinner progressed there were some fabulous speeches by family and best friends, and the grooms danced with their moms. While they were dancing the Navy Pier fireworks began and the energy in the room exploded! What an incredible kick-off to a fun dance floor, captained by Cage and Aquarium.

AND THEN.. Andrew + Tim wanted one final surprise for their guests. My colleague, Katie, and I got everyone lined up to the Grainger Sky Theater with glowsticks in their hands and they grooms led the way into their after party.