Location: Wheaton, Illinois, USA
Setting: Ceremony – church; reception – restaurant
Season: Spring
How long did the couple plan the event: 5-6 months
Number of guests: 106
Wedding theme/style: Romantic vintage, candlelit.
Mike is a restaurant and bar owner from Wheaton, IL. He first met Tori when she and her friends entered his bar in Glen Ellyn. She asked him if he wanted a dog and explained that her sister unexpectedly had to move and was trying to find a home for her dog. “I agreed to foster him… after texting with her about the dog for about 2 weeks, I finally worked up the courage to ask her out!” Mike recalled.
They got engaged a little over a year later. Family and friends mean the world to Tori. So Mike got their families and her best friends to fly into town for the proposal: “I tried to keep it a secret, but she saw her dad, who had flown in from New Hampshire, walking down the street in Wheaton and so she immediately knew I was proposing to her that weekend!”
The wedding concept was based on the restaurant, where the reception was held. It is themed and modeled after a French bistro, so the couple decided to lean into the vintage European look for a timeless wedding.
For the big day Tori purchased a dress made by Allure Bridals and had it tailored to her dream dress. She kept it simple with nude box slingback heels and wore pearls her grandmother gifted her on her wedding day. Tori kept her makeup light that day, along with her 90s blowout look. The stunning bouquet was made by Bloome Floral. They added in the cascade look with green and white amaranthus, lilies, anthurium, and orchids.
Mike went with a classic black suit with a bow tie for a more vintage look.
The ceremony was traditional and vintage. It took place at Trinity Chapel: “It’s one of the oldest standing buildings in downtown Wheaton and is in the classic “Prarie gothic” style,” Mike highlighted.
They asked a good friend of Mike to officiate. He made it very personal and emphasized how much our faith means to us and to our marriage. “We wrote our own vows and Tori’s were way better than mine,” the groom laughed. They also took time in the ceremony to remember Tori’s brother Austin.
“Both of us were so excited to get married and start our lives together. Having our family and friends there to witness and encourage us meant the world,” Mike shared.
M.W. Collective’s photography captured the essence of each moment with a focus on mood and atmosphere, using soft lighting to enhance the intimacy of scenes. Meghan’s use of film photography added depth and a vintage texture to the images, setting them apart in the digital age. Each photo was thoughtfully framed to highlight emotions and details, showcasing her skill in creating visually compelling narratives.
The reception was held at Maypole Restaurant in downtown. Tori wanted to lean into the candlelit dinner and highlight vintage vibes. The florist decided to lean into her dream of using amaranthus and candles throughout the venue. They also decided to go colorless with the theme since the venue was already so colorful.
Mike designed several signature cocktails for the reception upstairs and the tiki bar in the venue’s basement, where the afterparty was held. “The Chef of Maypole made a custom taco bar for us,” he told. While the wedding looked very classic, Mike and Tori said that the format and vibe were very laid-back and fun for them and their guests.
“Our first dance song was performed by our talented friend,” Mike shared. But the couple ironically forgot to cut the cake because of all the fun they were having, dancing the entire night to the vintage records the DJ was using.
“I think Tori’s style made the day unique. It merged a very classic and traditional aesthetic with a very unique and personal format and elements.” Mike concluded.
Advice from the couple:
• Have fun and stay relaxed on your day. Things will go wrong, but it won’t matter because the day is about you.
• You will look back and want to change things about the day or your style will change. So try to take it in for the time your day was held and the style you chose. Enjoy the choices you made, and thank God for the opportunity to have such a beautiful and unique wedding.
• And hire a day coordinator so that as a couple, you can relax and be present for the event.
PHOTOGRAPHER M.W. Collective | VENUE CEREMONY Trinity Chapel RECEPTION Maypole | FLORALS Bloome Floral | DRESS Allure Bridals | DJ Dirty Donuts
