Local Love – Kaitlyn & Tom at Lacuna Lofts

When your first date lasts for eight hours, you know you’ve found someone special! Kaitlyn and Tom met through mutual friends and quickly became each other’s travel companion, culinary partner, coffee drinking fanatic and running partner. The couple knew they had found their forever partner from the very beginning. Tom proposed while the couple was visiting Canyonlands National Park in Utah. “We both know true love grows through experience, good times, and hardships, and we love that we continue to grow and learn from one another every single day,” Kaitlyn shared.

Kaitlyn and Tom met and fell in love in Chicago, so they wanted their wedding to showcase their love for the city. The Chicagoans began their wedding day with their respective bridesmaids and groomsmen. Kaitlyn and her girls got ready at her parents’ home while Tom and his groomsmen got ready at the couple’s home. They had their first look on the rooftop of their first home together, which made a special moment even more personal. The wedding party got to enjoy some of Chicago’s best spots while taking photos at Grant Park, the Planetarium, and a brewery when rain forced a quick change of plans.

The wedding ceremony was moved from the rooftop of Lacuna Lofts due to rain, but Kaitlyn and Tom were both in awe of the gorgeous indoor set-up. They both agreed that their ceremony was their favorite part of the day. “We had our pastor lead our ceremony, shared our personalized vows under the arbor my dad built for us, exchanged rings, and had a sand ceremony in an hour glass that is now our dining table centerpiece,” Kaitlyn said. It was important to the couple that they honor their family, so they included their grandparents in the wedding processional and kept a beautiful bouquet of flowers on an empty chair in memory of Tom’s mother. After they were pronounced husband and wife, Kaitlyn literally skipped down the aisle in happiness, with her and Tom both almost tripping over her dress!

The happy couple joined their guests for a Chicago-themed reception with a romantic, funky vibe and plenty of wild flowers. They created their seating chart to resemble an El train sign, used Chicago neighborhoods with corresponding milestones and memories from their relationship as table markers, and included their own neon “All you need is love” sign behind the head table. Tom loves ice cream, so Kaitlyn surprised him at the reception with a Cubs-themed ice cream cake! They also treated guests to late-night bites of Kuma’s Corner mac and cheese. One of the most fun parts of the reception was creating a glow stick tunnel on the dance floor. The newlyweds ended their night with a quick photoshoot on the roof of the venue once the rain had stopped. Kaitlyn and Tom were so happy to be surrounded by their friends and family who truly made their Big Day one for the history books.

Number of Wedding Guests: 126

Vendor List:

Venue: Lacuna Lofts

Photography: Mindy Joy Photography

Videography: Our Wedding Movie

Officiant: Pastor Rob Campbell

Event Planner: Lionhearted Events

Rings: Brilliant Earth

Bride’s Gown: Essense of Australia via Diana’s Bridal

Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade

Hair: Liz Lavoie

Makeup: Makeup by Ellen Gilmore

Bride’s Other Jewelry: Family heirloom

Formalwear: Generation Tux

Groom’s Accessories: The Tie Bar

Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Azazie

Stationery: Weditorial Design; Silvio Designs

Floral: Creative Custom Flowers

Catering: LM Catering & Events; Kuma’s Corner

Entertainment: Ten Twelve Entertainment

Cake & Sweets: Vanille Patisserie; Bartleby’s Ice Cream Cakes

Transportation: Chicago Cloud9 Limousine