1. Real Weddings

A Bright, Whimsical Wedding at St. Hyacinth Basilica in Chicago, Illinois

Two years apart, Teresa (28 and a registered nurse) and Ryan (27 and a teacher) met in high school as Ryan was a good friend and teammate of Teresa's

Two years apart, Teresa (28 and a registered nurse) and Ryan (27 and a teacher) met in high school as Ryan was a good friend and teammate of Teresa's little brother. When Teresa went to their baseball game to support her brother, he told her she couldn't go anymore because Ryan was into her, but, "at that point I didn't care; I was older, cooler, and had a boyfriend," Teresa says. Home from college for Christmas break three years later, Teresa decorated the tree with her sister while her brother invited friends over, including Ryan, who invited Teresa and her sister to join them. "My mom finished decorating the Christmas tree that year," she jokes. She and Ryan dated for six years before he proposed while they were  on vacation with friends. Ryan had their friends pretend to run late for dinner so they could take a walk along the beach, where he got down on one knee (while their friends followed close behind to film the whole event). They got married in Teresa's grandmother's church, St. Hyacinth Basilica in Chicago, which was also the church her parent's got married at thirty-five years prior. Following the ceremony, guests were invited to a reception at Victoria in the Park in Mt. Prospect with bold pink and green centerpieces and decor, sparkly linens, and a whimsical photo booth. As the bride's dad was born in Poland, they served traditional Polish cookies and even had a Polish Highlanders band play during the reception. Before Ryan got to see his bride, Teresa's bright pink bridesmaids came up with the idea to tease him with a photo of a special message for him to have something to look forward to. Meanwhile, the groomsmen gathered with matching pink bow ties, calla lily boutonnieres, and pink socks, as well as baseball bats and bubbles to prepare for a very special exit after the church ceremony. From top to bottom, every inch of Teresa and Ryan's wedding was as vibrant as their personalities.

Ryan custom-made the round diamond halo engagement ring with a double diamond band. "I love that he put so much thought into my ring to make it perfect," Teresa says.
Bright Pink Peony, Cala Lily, and Ranunculus Bouquet
Four-Tier Shimmery White Wedding Cake with Pink Monogram Cake Topper
Silver Jimmy Choo Bridal Shoes and Sparkly Clutch
Bride Getting Ready in Sheer Cathedral-Length Veil
Teresa tried on several ball gowns before finding the strapless, trumpet-fit Stephen Yearick dress with plenty of sparkle and embellishment. She paired it with a sparkly headband and a cathedral-length veil in her curly half-up hairdo.
Teresa's bridesmaids wore matching "azalea" pink short strapless dresses by Love Lane that paired perfectly with their bright pink ranunculus bouquets. Teresa gave them custom earrings and bracelets from Erin Gallagher Jewelry and monogrammed necklaces from Mark and Graham. They wrote out a special message, which they photographed and texted to the groom to tease him in anticipation of seeing the bride.
The groomsmen wore matching "azalea" pink bow ties, pocket squares, calla lily boutonnieres, and whimsical pink socks. Although Ryan was fine riding with his groomsmen to the ceremony in his aunt's van, Teresa surprised him and his best man with a yellow corvette to drive to the ceremony (and even throughout the wedding weekend!).
Gray Suit with Pink Bow Tie, Pocket Square, and Calla Lily Boutonniere
Groom Kisses Bride with Pink Bouquet and Cathedral Veil
Teresa got married at St. Hyacinth Basilica, the same church she attended mass with her grandmother and her mother got married at thirty-five years ago. "Since St. Hyacinth has such a meaningful history in my life, plus its grand and ornate features, I knew this was the church I wanted to get married in," Teresa says.
Bride and Groom Leave St. Hyacinth Basilica Church Ceremony
Since Ryan is a big baseball fan, his groomsmen sent the happy couple off to a baseball bat salute while the bridesmaids blew festive bubbles.
Gold Glitter Escort Table with Bright Pink and Green Centerpiece
Teresa and Ryan had both tall and short centerpieces with bright pink and green arrangements of roses and hydrangeas, as well as some orchids, ranunculus, tulips, and calla lilies. Bright pink napkins added a pop of color to the white linens. In lieu of favors, cards indicated donations made to the American Liver Foundation and the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois.
Bright Pink and Green Rose and Hydrangea Centerpieces and Sparkly Table Numbers
Sparkly Gold Reception Table with Pink and Green Centerpieces and Pink Napkins
First Dance Silhouetted by Bright Pink and Red Lighting