A Night of Glamour and Giving: Wish Upon A Wedding’s 13th Annual Blissful Wishes Ball
On January 23, 2025, Chicago’s wedding industry gathered at Morgan MFG for an evening of elegance and philanthropy at the 13th annual Blissful Wishes Ball, hosted by Wish Upon A Wedding. Presented by Generation Tux, this spectacular evening welcomed over 500 industry professionals and supporters, all united by a shared mission: granting weddings and vow renewals to couples facing terminal illness.
Wish Upon A Wedding Board | Photo: Tim Tab Studios
As the nonprofit’s cornerstone fundraising event, the Blissful Wishes Ball is more than just a glamorous soiree—it fuels the heart of Wish Upon A Wedding’s mission. Since its inception, the organization has provided couples facing serious illness or life-altering health challenges with the opportunity to celebrate their weddings and vow renewals without financial or logistical burdens. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, vendors, and attendees, the 2025 gala raised $190,000, ensuring that even more love stories can be honored.
From the moment guests arrived, they were immersed in a world of sophistication. Planner Detailed and Designed Event Management brought a classic black and white theme to life, setting the stage for an unforgettable night. Attendees, dressed to impress in monochrome attire, sipped Avaline wine and craft cocktails while posing in the Snapbooth photo booth and perusing an impressive auction lineup. From a jewelry package from Kendra Scott to exclusive luxury getaways, the fundraising auction featured an array of coveted items.
Photo: Tim Tab Studios
Photo: Tim Tab Studios
Transitioning into the main room for dinner and the program, guests’ were awed by the ambiance. Each table glowed with flickering candles and breathtaking floral displays, courtesy of Ashland Addison Floral Decor, Atmosphere Events Group, EcoWilde, Exquisite Events and Floral Design, Flowers by Stem, HMR Designs, and Saville Flowers. Nuage Designs’ luxurious linens, Bowery & Bash‘s chic furniture, and Hall’s Rental‘s elegant tabletop pieces further elevated the setting. A special touch at each table setting included printed cards highlighting the inspiring stories of previous Wish Upon A Wedding recipients. This detail further inspired guests to get their auction bidding paddles ready!
A fast-paced auction, exquisite cuisine from Blue Plate Chicago, and decadent desserts from Bittersweet Pastry Shop, Delish Cakes, Katherine Anne Confections, and Dipsy Desserts ensured an evening filled with indulgence and generosity. Live music from Élan Artists kept the dance floor packed, while Luxe Productions delivered impeccable event production, making every detail shine. A true highlight of the evening came with a special dance performance from Jessica Mays and Stanislav Havrylchenko of Windy City Wedding Dance.
Photo: Tim Tab Studios
Wish Upon a Wedding President, Danielle McNulty | Photo: Tim Tab Studios
More than just a dazzling night out, the Blissful Wishes Ball stands as a testament to the power of generosity and love. Special thanks to presenting sponsor Generation Tux and event sponsors Brite Co, WIPA Chicago, WIPA National, Luniks Entertainment, BBJ La Tavola, The University of Chicago & Wagenmaker & Oberly for their invaluable support in making this event a success.
For those inspired to contribute, there are many ways to get involved with Wish Upon A Wedding—from volunteering and donations to becoming a vendor partner. To learn more about how you can help make wedding wishes come true, visit www.wishuponawedding.org.
Photo: Tim Tab Studios
Photo: Tim Tab Studios
Vendors
HOST Wish Upon A Wedding
PRESENTING SPONSOR Generation Tux
PLANNER Detailed and Designed Event Management
VENUE Morgan MFG
PHOTOGRAPHY Tim Tab Studios
VIDEOGRAPHY LVI Films
PRODUCTION Luxe Productions
FLORAL & DECOR Ashland Addison Floral Decor, Atmosphere Events Group, EcoWilde, Exquisite Events and Floral Design, Flowers by Stem, HMR Designs, Saville Flowers
RENTALS Hall’s Rental
FURNITURE Bowery & Bash
LINEN Nuage Designs
BALLOONS Fox Valley Balloons
PHOTO BOOTH Snapbooth
SIGNAGE Minted
CATERING Blue Plate Chicago
TABLE DESSERTS Bittersweet Pastry Shop, Delish Cakes, Katherine Anne Confections
ICE CREAM CART Dipsy Desserts
WINE Avaline
LIVE ILLUSTRATIONS Ivy’s Illustrations
GOWNS & MODELS Sew Bridal
ENTERTAINMENT Élan Artists
DANCE ENTERTAINMENT Windy City Wedding Dance
SOUND Chicago Sound & Backline
CONTENT CREATOR Unveil the Day
VALET VIP Valet
ACCOMMODATIONS The Emily Hotel
MEDIA Chicago Style Weddings, Modern Luxury Weddings Chicago
Ready to relive the magic? Check out the photos from Tim Tab Studios below!
