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Jeffrey Gabuzda & Rachel Nor
Text: Merry Mayer
Photography: Mark Wierda Photography
When Jeffrey Gabuzda decided to ask his girlfriend Rachel Nor to marry him, he decided to ask her using a dessert menu. It almost backfired.
Jeff had surprised Rachel with a weekend trip to the Herrington Inn in Geneva, Illinois. They had couples massages and a private dinner in the gazebo on the river. After dinner, the waiter brought out the "dessert" menu. But Rachel's eyes fell immediately on a scrumptious sounding Molten Chocolate Cake. She closed the menu and said she knew what she wanted.
"Jeff was acting a little strange and said `Are you sure?' recalls Rachel. So she reopened the menu and saw at the very bottom, the menu was personalized with his proposal. He then got down on one knee with the ring.
The two had met while at college at Purdue University during the second semester senior year. Afraid that they might not end up in the same city after graduation, they were careful not to get too serious. But Rachel moved to Lincoln Park after they graduated and soon after Jeff moved to Bucktown. After that they were inseparable.
Once engaged, the planning began. But this didn't scare Rachel. She works as a project manager, and so, treating it like just another project, she got to work creating a master Excel file with due dates and a budget to keep her on track.
The couple had their ceremony at the beautiful St. Luke Lutheran Church in Lakeview. Built in the 1800s, the church has marble floors and floor to ceiling stained glass windows.
Rachel walked down the aisle wearing a Sposa gown by St. Pucchi, with a dropped-waist A-line with rouching across the bodice and gathered on the bottom. Her bridesmaids wore Lettuce Apple two-pieces that were strapless with bustled skirts and satin ribbons at the waist from the Watters & Watters Bridesmaid Collection.
The reception was held in the beautiful Chicago River Ballroom at the Embassy Suites Downtown Lakefront Hotel. The space features 18 foot ceilings and a contemporary feel with floor to ceiling wood panels on the walls. The cocktail hour was held in the foyer outside of the Chicago River Ballroom, providing wonderful views of the Chicago River and the skyline.
Accentuating the spring wedding date, was a pink and green color palette. The ballroom was decorated with tall or short pink peony arrangement centerpieces on all tables. The tables and chairs were covered in a soft ivory bichon, with green sashes on the chairs.
To provide special significance to their day, Jeff and Rachel had a personalized guestbook which asked guests to write down their marriage advice on small cards and place them in envelopes. "It was a nice treat to open all the messages when we returned from our honeymoon!" says Rachel.
When they remember their special day, a few moments stand out. One was when they were announced at the reception. The second was when they were taking photos on Michigan Avenue in front of the Wrigley Building. "One of our groomsmen got them to play/sing "Here comes the Bride" and we ended up dancing in the middle of a huge crowd to the music!" recalls Rachel.
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CEREMONY SITE
St. Luke Lutheran Church, 773.472.3383, Chicago, stlukechicago.org
RECEPTION SITE
Embassy Suites Downtown Lakefront Hotel, 312.836.5900, Chicago, chicagoembassy.com
PHOTOGRAPHY
Mark Wierda Photography, 708.226.8080, Orland Park, markwierdaphoto.com
VIDEOGRAPHY
All Occasions Video Productions, 800.827.3870, Bartlett, alloccasionsvideo.net
OFFICIANT
Pastor David G. Abrahamson
BRIDE'S GOWN
The Magnificent Bride on Michigan Avenue, 312.280.4961, Chicago
VEIL
Mary Catomy (Custom), 847.678.7226, Schiller Park
JEWELRY
Kristeen's Custom Jewelers, 317.873.0899, Zionsville, Indiana
SHOES
Lori's Shoes, 773.281.5655, Chicago, lorisshoes.com
HAIR
Hairpins Bridal, 815.370.7476, Chicago hairpinsbridal.com
MAKEUP
Sonia Roselli Productions, 312.371.8596, Chicago soniaroselliproductions.com
BRIDESMAID'S DRESSES
Pearl's Place, 504.885.9213, Metairie, Louisiana, pearlsplace.com
FORMALWEAR
Men's Wearhouse, 773.525.5942, Chicago, menswearhouse.com
INVITATIONS
Gaddis Design, 703.365.9164, gaddisdesign.com
FLOWERS
Flowers by Victoria, 847.289.8368, West Chicago, flowersbyvictoria.com
MENU/CATERING
Embassy Suites Downtown Lakefront Hotel
MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT
JP Entertainment Inc., 630-372-0000, Chicago, jpentertainmentinc.com
WEDDING CAKE
Rolf's Patisserie, 847.982.9400, Lincolnwood
FAVORS
Marshall Fields, Chicago
TRANSPORTATION
Chicago Minibus, 847.671.9080, Chicago
GUEST ACCOMODATIONS
Embassy Suites Downtown Lakefront Hotel
WEDDING NIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS
Embassy Suites Downtown Lakefront Hotel
HONEYMOON
Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, marriott.com/HNMMC
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