One hot August night, in the midst of the humid Chicago summer, I met Gregory. On the evening of his birthday, not too far from Wrigley Field, our paths crossed and our love was sparked! I asked to see his ID as proof that it was indeed his birthday, but really as an excuse to make conversation. As I glanced back up at his face from the ID, proving him to be 27 and honest, it felt as lighting may have been shooting through my veins. Later that night, he walked my friend and I back to my Boystown studio, and I couldn’t stop thinking about what an eligible bachelor he was… so I stopped him on the side walk to ask if he was married. Because I realized, I wanted the chance to be his bride! Something no other man had made me feel, and in just one warm summer night. 4 years later in August 2014 he proposed to me with a 3-stone emerald cut, platinum engagement ring. He got down on one knee, on the front steps of that very same Surf St. studio where we had our first kiss and asked me to marry him. Exactly 5 years and 1 week later my wish came true when I became Mrs. Gregory Henesy.
We moved from Chicago to Milwaukee the month after we were engaged. We wanted the wedding in Illinois, where we met, where my family is from and where his family could easily travel to from out-of-state. Our venue needed to be upscale for a black-tie option, private without sharing the venue with another wedding or event, and required an outdoor space for guests to enjoy. Boulder Ridge Country Club in Lake in the Hills, Illinois was everything we wanted and more! Staying in the Catholic tradition we found a church with amazing architecture in a nearby city. St. Mary Catholic Church in Huntley, Illinois.
Given that Gregory and I are pretty traditional, his choice of black tuxedos and bow-ties was quick and easy. I was also certain that I wanted a traditional ball gown. After trying on only 7 dresses, I said yes to my dress in about 45 minutes. A classic look by Madeline Gardner for Morilee. What I didn’t know was how much I’d fall in love with the crystal covered, beautiful blush taffeta sash! Found at my bridal salon, White Satin Bridal. Accenting my waistline, tied in a bow and draping down the length of the dress next to the covered buttons. This bridal accessory felt so classic and romantic that it inspired almost all of my wedding choices. Being an interior stylist, I appreciate tone on tone colors, and decided on mix-and-match shades of grey for my bridesmaids. After searching for dresses to accommodate 9 different girls, I told them they could each choose their own dress, with the only 2 guidelines being full-length and a shade of grey. The final selections and shades from the bridesmaids looked so lovely together! The greys and blush were really romantic and the mix-and-match look gave just the right amount of trend to our traditional style. My 4 year old niece was an adorable flower girl, dolled up in dress, sash and shoes similar to mine, topped with a real flower crown.
As a DIY bride, the invitation suite was found on Etsy by an amazing shop Cleary Lane. Naturally, and playing off of my sash, I tied 1/8″ blush ribbons to each Save-the-date. The formal invites were sent out wrapped in various styles of blush and white ribbons. I also white-washed and glued 150 ribbon wands for the church exit and reception fun. My florist was referred by a friend and is a wonderful one-woman show, Flowers by Karen. She created the cascading bouquet of my dreams and added lovely ribbon tails to mine and the bridesmaids’s flowers. She also did the centerpiece wreaths around white lanterns provided by the country club and groomsmens’ boutonnieres. Staying classic and Catholic, I found an amazingly priced double-layer cathedral veil that coordinated perfectly! (Girl, it was $7, plus shipping… Amazon can be amazing) The veil topped my long blonde hair, swept back with intricate twists, braids and curls for a very romantic look. The entire bridal party’s hair and my make-up was done at the hotel by Style on Site. Bridal accessories fit into my four categories: Something old~ My grandmothers gold wedding ring, Something new~ my bridesmaid’s brand new set of pearl drop earrings, Something borrowed~ Gregory’s grandmother’s gold and diamond bracelet, Something blue~ Lace bridal garter. I chose a silver, crystal covered clutch to coordinate with the crystals on the sash. Shoes also bringing the right amount of bling to this classic bride, neutral almond-toed pumps, also covered in rhinestones. Last, but not least, maybe my best bridal accessory was the BHLDN parasol I carried. Rented at the right price from Relics Vintage Rentals, this pretty little prop added so much classic elegance and was really romantic during our photo shoot!
Photography by Cristina G Photography
Classic and Romantic, I wouldn’t change a thing about my wonderful wedding day! …Except maybe for it to last longer! Hope you enjoyed our wedding story and my day-of details!
