Maria and Matt, the quintessential high school sweethearts, had a classy fall wedding at Venuti’s Restaurant in Illinois.

They first met freshman year of high school and the flirtations started over text. “I ended up asking Matt to my turnabout in February and he asked me to be his girlfriend on March 5th. Little did we think that 11 years later we would be getting married!” said Maria.

practice makes perfect in a Proposal

Nine years after their first date, they got engaged. Even though they had been together for so long, Matt was very nervous. “Everytime Maria would go to work, I would practice. I would find things that were as tall as her to make sure it was the right height,” Matt said. 

But Matt made sure to plan ahead, no matter how nervous he might’ve been. He had a special ring box with a tiny camera inside to capture the moment, as well as having a photographer on site. “He got the proposal on camera with the proposal box, it's my favorite memory of the day,” said Maria.

A few months before their wedding, we had their engagement session at the Lincoln Park Boardwalk and North Avenue Beach. The Chicago skyline in the background of their engagement photos really made a splash, and showcased the city that they went to college in and now call home. 

Getting Ready for Their Big Day: Special Moments with Loved Ones

The morning started with Maria and her bridal party getting ready in her parents’ house. They all wore matching rose pajamas, and we looked at the old photos of Maria’s parents’ wedding, who were celebrating an anniversary. Maria sat in a chair from her late grandmother while JoJo from Salon Revolution did her makeup, with an elegant rose lip and shimmery eyeshadow. She slipped into her lacey v-neck gown from Maggie Sottero and shared a heartfelt moment with her flower girl and bridal party. 

Meanwhile, Matt was getting ready at his and Maria’s house, along with the groomsmen. He wore a suit from Men’s Wearhouse. We grabbed some photos in the backyard and Matt headed to the church!

Before the girls left, Maria read a letter that Matt wrote her and shed a few tears. After a quick first look with her dad, it was time for the ceremony.

A Traditional Catholic Ceremony at St. James Catholic Church

They had a traditional Catholic ceremony at St. James Catholic Church. The ceremony included a Unity Candle ceremony, communion, and giving flowers to Mother Mary. The couple exited the church amidst the wedding party waving navy and cream ribbons in celebration, and Matt held Maria into a low dip!

While the guests headed to Venuti’s, the newlyweds and their wedding party and I went to the park where Matt and Maria got engaged: Chicago Athenaeum International Sculpture Park in Schaumburg. The golden, glowy light was absolutely stunning for their photos with the wedding party dressed in mauve and navy. 

A Grand Entrance and Celebration at Venuti’s Restaurant

After wedding party photos in the park, we went to the restaurant. We grabbed some quick photos in the spiral staircase of Venuti’s, and then Maria and Matt had their grand entrance as a couple!

To “I gotta feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas, the wedding party and Maria and Matt walked down the spiral staircase and into the reception hall. Everyone enjoyed a buffet of delicious food from Venuti’s, which is the key reason they chose this venue! “We chose the classic Italian banquet hall because we are both italian. The food is also amazing, so that is a big factor for us as well,” they said. 

Their wedding day at Venuti's Restaurant had a chic autumn look. “We have envisioned our day to be the fun and modern fall wedding. Maroon and Navy are our favorite colors and are actually our college colors so there is some significance to that,” said Maria. 

Maria and Matt had their first dance to “Here Tonight” by Brett Young, and the party continued with Maria surprising her parents by playing their wedding song. Speeches and parent dances were heartfelt and joyful. 

The garter toss was adjusted to fit their personalities. Matt played football in college, so he did a garter toss with a football instead of a garter, with the NFL Fox Sunday theme song playing in the background. 

The dance floor was alive the whole night. Guests made giant cardboard cutout heads of the couple and t-shirts with the bride and groom on them. Between the fun props and the His and Hers drinks – “Ti Amo Tequila” (his, tequila soda) and “I Shirley Do” (hers, dirty shirley)—the party couldn’t stop. And it didn’t, until after 1 am! 

What’s next for these two? “We are off to Greece to begin exploring the world together!”

If you’re planning a Chicago wedding, let’s get in touch! Reach out to let me know about the party you’re planning! Feel free to check out some other Chicago weddings below!

Venue : Venutis Restaurant
Portrait Location : Chicago Athenaeum International Sculpture Park in Schaumburg

Ceremony Location : St James Catholic Church
Bridal Boutique : White Dress Bridal Boutique
Bridal Dress : Maggie Sottero
Groom Attire : Men’s Wearhouse
Wedding Party Attire : Azazie & Men’s Wearhouse
DJ : John with Fantastic DJs
Florist : Flower Fantasy Joanne
MUAH : JoJo with Salon Revolution
Invite Designer : Amore Creative, LLC -Jessica D'Amore & Eric D'Amore
Bakery : The Baking Institute
Jeweler : Arezzo Jewelers

xx,

Jennifer Lourie