1. Real Weddings

A Romantic Wedding at Galleria Marchetti in Chicago, Illinois

Patrick Dolan (33 and a carpenter) and Audrey Less (27 and a registered nurse) met at an engagement party one Labor Day weekend. While they remained f

Patrick Dolan (33 and a carpenter) and Audrey Less (27 and a registered nurse) met at an engagement party one Labor Day weekend. While they remained friends, they didn't go on their first date for six months and then waited another six months to begin officially dating. After a romantic dinner for their year and a half anniversary, Patrick and Audrey went for a walk in Lincoln Park in Chicago, IL where Patrick completely surprised Audrey and proposed. Patrick and Audrey chose to have their wedding at Galleria Marchetti. After attending a wedding there a year earlier, Patrick and Audrey knew they had made the right venue choice. "The rustic chandeliers would be the perfect spring board for my 'French flower market' and 'Colorado' inspiration," Audrey says. Colorado is a special place for both Patrick and Audrey and Audrey always loved France and the look of wild flowers thus their unique theme was created. Even though Audrey admits that her style choices always have a very neutral palette, she wanted to make sure her wedding was a true reflection of her style. The wedding did not have a distinct color palette, however, gray was the prominent color throughout the day. "I hate when you can obviously tell that a bride is way outside her comfort zone," she says. Patrick and Audrey's day perfectly personified her dream wedding.

Simple Gray and White Wedding Invitations
Desert Pincushion Boutonniere
"I loved my dress," Audrey says of her Vera Wang mermaid-style dress. "It's more of a piece of art than a dress!"
Purple, pink and yellow flower bouquets hung from ceremony chairs decorated the aisle with pops of color.
Gray and White Table Number with Wildflower Centerpiece
Various flower bouquets decorated the place card table creating the look of a French flower cart.
Snapdragon Centerpieces with Mercury Glass
Simple Gray and White Table Number
Patrick and Audrey wanted to their guests to have a great time. "Like I've said," Audrey says. "Our biggest goal was a making the reception a big dance party!"
Elegant Dining Tables at Galleria Marchetti Reception
Patrick and Audrey loved the unique chandeliers that added a rustic charm to the Galleria Marchetti reception.
Purple and White Bouquet with Purple Bouquet Wrap
Wedding Program
Ceremony White Folding Chairs
Patrick and Audrey's outdoor wedding at Galleria Marchetti tied in perfectly with their "French flower market" and "Colorado" inspired wedding.
Audrey admits that she was always made fun of for her neutral color choices. However, she made sure her wedding was a true reflection of her and made gray the prominent color throughout the day. The bridesmaids wore floor-length gray dresses.
Wildflower Bridal Bouquets
Keeping with the gray look of the outdoor wedding, groomsmen wore charcoal gray suits. "Black tuxedos seemed too formal for an outside wedding," Audrey says.
Updo with Mid-Length Veil
Audrey always loved the look of wildflowers and asked her florist to create flower arrangements with French flowers.
Table Number with Tea Light Candles
Patrick and Audrey First Dance
As the night went on, tea light candles added warm, romantic lighting to the reception.