Elise and Luke

Elise & Luke

Elise and Luke’s story is best told by them. We were honored to work with Elise on both of her dresses for her big days!  Read their fairytale story below written by Elise herself!

“It’s lucky number two for the bride and groom. We were engaged twice and had two marriage ceremonies in the same weekend.

Through covid-19 uncertainties Luke and I had time to reflect on what matters most on a day so big and special as this– to be with those we love the most.

And we did just that…On Thursday, 9.2.21 we had an intimate ceremony at St. Mary’s of The Angels church with both of our families, bridal party and closest loved ones. It was exactly what we wanted. No fuss, not a lot of frills, just the two of us and those who matter most. Following the church ceremony was an intimate ceremony dinner, “Vow & Forever,” with many speeches, and a Mediterranean family-style dinner from ‘Aba’. For my dress on this day, since we were in church, I wanted something that was still bridal but shorter, fitted and with a more traditional Italian feel. I actually saw the dress (The Finch Dress by Eisen Stein) on a model on the Mira Instagram and immediately asked Julie if it was in store! Thankfully it was!

Saturday, 9.4.21 was when the real fun started! The ladies and I got ready at my parents’ home, while the groom and his guys got ready at the local hotel nearby. This was the first dress that I picked out at Mira (a gorgeous Ysa Makino gown). I tried so many on and kept going back to this one. My favorite part about my dress on this day was the detail and layers. It was both white and ivory through different layers of lace and some beading. I also LOVED the skirt that went over the dress. It made it feel so unique and really transformed the dress to look like it was two different.

On that day, we opened the doors of an old Estate built in 1932, known as “The Armour Mansion,” and welcomed an extended group of our friends and loved ones to witness our love and marriage, for the first time (for most)— in a less traditional way. On this day, our bridal party stood up and our guests were seated outside in a circle surrounding us. It felt SO intimate in the circle, I could actually see faces of friends and family surrounding us and emoting (laughing and crying) during the ceremony with us. There my aunt, Honorable Judge Jill, re-acknowledged our marriage with a more personal and civil pronunciation. During the ceremony, we said our vows and released Butterfly’s, a meaningful symbol to the bride and groom, who continued to flutter and greet guests all throughout the ceremony and reception. The ceremony commenced with a surprise gospel chorus singing, “Can’t Hurry Love” that lead our guests into the estate for cocktail hour, where everyone was greeted with a glass of Lanson Champagne, along with our bride and groom cocktails (“Bride – Noinino Spritz” / “Groom – spicy picante”) and an array of fine wine and hors d’oeurves. If you haven’t already noticed, the surprise factor was the most important part for my mom and I during planning. We had so much fun planning the surprises, but more importantly, we wanted our guests and my groom (who wasn’t as involved in the planning) to have the most fun night!

All throughout the night, surprises were sprinkled in i.e. fireworks during our first dance “Still Falling For You”, “Frankie Valli” singing our Father / Daughter Dance to “Can’t Take My Eyes Off  You,” The Jersey Boys serenading our guests, an espresso bar and a gelato bar…(a few of our favorites), a “Love Train” that lead guests into the “vintage baseball” themed After Party, including real-life statues reenacting old baseball players (a nod to the groom who played college baseball), outside the After Party room was a photo booth accompanied by late night Chicago-style snacks and a cigar lounge. We wanted it to be non-stop fun, all night, with continued surprises that kept our guests entertained – and it was just that! We still have people telling us how fun it was!!!”

Photography: Olivia Leigh Photographie

Hair: Megan Schnell Hair

Makeup: Shannon O’Brien