Local Love – Hilary & Bill at Galleria Marchetti

Hilary and Bill met as college students. They lived in the same dorm, which made dating convenient, and eventually discovered that they shared similar goals and values. They dated all through college before getting engaged and planning their dream Chicago wedding.

Hilary and her bridesmaids started their day with mimosas and hair and makeup at their hotel. Hilary and Bill shared an intimate first look before taking photos throughout the city with their wedding party. They originally wanted to write their own vows, but were required to use the traditional vows as they were wed in a Catholic Church. As a surprise, Bill wrote his own vows to Hilary and shared them with her while they were taking photos in a quiet spot before their official ceremony.” I was completely surprised and so touched that he had this secretly planned for me,” Hilary shared.

The couple wanted a classic, wintry vibe for their Big Day. They chose classic black suits without ties for the groomsmen and the bridesmaids wore long navy dresses. Simple greenery and plenty of candles, accented with pinecones and twinkling lights, made for a romantic reception atmosphere. Hilary and Bill entered their reception to the tune of the Chicago Bulls theme song and immediately cut their wedding pizza— a fun departure from the traditional wedding cake! Bill floated the idea of feeding each other Lou Malnati’s as a joke at first, but it eventually “snowballed into reality,” according to Hilary. They made sure guests could still satisfy their sweet tooth by offering an interactive flaming donut station with a wide selection of toppings and gelato.

Personal touches were important to the couple. They used wine bottles with guests’ names on the labels as table numbers and left notes for everyone to write advice and well wishes on to put into the bottles. Hilary and Bill plan to smash each bottle and read the notes on their first anniversary! The pair wanted to make sure their guests enjoyed the reception, so they enticed everyone with a light-up dance floor that went from subtle mood lighting during dinner to bold and vibrant lighting that got everyone dancing throughout the night. The night was a perfect reflection of the couple’s personalities and a beautiful celebration of their love for each other.

Number of Wedding Guests: 350

Vendor List:

Ceremony Venue: Holy Name Cathedral

Reception Venue: Galleria Marchetti – The Pavilion

Photography: Ebby L Photography

Officiant: Fr. Tim Monahan

Event Planner: Brittney Kulik

Rings: Donna Jewelry Co.

Bride’s Gown: Theia via Magnolia Bridal

Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka

Hair: Erin Ahern Beauty at Salon Buzz

Makeup: Makeup My Day

Bride’s Other Jewelry: Tiffany & Co.; Swarovski

Formalwear: The Black Tux

Groom’s Accessories: The Black Tux

Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Brideside

Stationery: Minted; Willow Lane Paperie

Floral: Flowers for Dreams

Catering: Galleria Marchetti

Entertainment: MDM Entertainment; Jake Shore Drive

Pizza: Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria

Sweets: Galleria Marchetti

Transportation: Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Co.