My wedding was fabulous and I couldn't have asked for a better day. My sister, best friend and I got our hair and makeup done by Monique Madrid at the hotel while the boys and Debbie Donovan set up the space. Apparently there were a few snafus, but the only one I ever even heard about was one of the centerpiece vases being broken. Fortunately, Debbie and the banquet staff fixed it with super glue and oasis.
The ceremony was gorgeous and so perfectly us. We were so happy we got our friend to officiate, because the whole thing was so personal. DH rushed through the vows we wrote, but it was really cute that he was so nervous. We both spent the whole ceremony on the verge of tears. I actually had to look away from him at one point to stop myself from bawling.
It was crazy cold outside (though thankfully not as bad as a couple days earlier), but we did brave it for some group photos at Millennium Park and then again after the ceremony with just the two of us right outside on Michigan Avenue. I definitely didn't get all the shots I wanted, but through no fault of our photographer. It was just too cold to stay out there for any longer.
During cocktail hour Debbie and the hotel staff changed over the ballroom with some help from my amazing bridesmaids. I was shocked by how beautiful it all was, since I'd been stressing about all the things I had to forgo (like chair covers and upgraded linens) to stay on budget. Somehow Debbie made my mishmash of DIY stuff look stellar.
The night went by way too fast, but I had a fantastic time. I've no idea how people who have bigger weddings find time to talk to everyone, as I felt I barely got everyone in with just 45 people. My one and only regret is not hiring a videographer. But alas, photos will have to do. I can't wait to see the pro ones, but until then I've posted some that friends and family took on my new married bio:
http://MrsRaeyn.weebly.com
Thanks for all the help with my planning and good luck with yours! I'll be sticking around for a while to offer any advice I can and to post vendor reviews.