Wedding | Alana & Eric

Tell us a little about yourselves!

We’ve been together for over 8 years. We first met at the University of Denver and crossed paths often through mutual friends until one day, a conversation sparked something we never expected. We learned we grew up just 10 minutes apart and shared many of the same favorite restaurants and childhood memories. It instantly felt meant to be.

Since then, we’ve built a life together in Denver with our dog Louie. We love taking full advantage of everything Colorado has to offer. When we’re not hiking, camping, or skiing, you’ll find us cooking, traveling, or spending time with our family and friends.

Why did you decide to get married where you did?

We chose to return to our roots and celebrate our wedding in Chicago. We wanted the day to feel fun and non-traditional, an unstuffy celebration that truly reflected us. 

Once we realized it was possible, we set our sights on creating a moody disco party at Manny’s Deli, where there would be good food, great vibes, and plenty of space to dance. We loved imagining our guests grabbing a tray and joining the food line for their famous corned beef sandwiches. Many of our Chicago guests have special memories tied to the restaurant, and even for our out-of-town friends, the character and history of the space is impossible not to feel.

We then worked backwards to find the perfect ceremony site. Having an outdoor element was important to us, and it felt incredibly special to begin the celebration in such a beautiful space at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago.

We loved the different energies each space brought to the day. We chose these iconic settings for their unique elements, hoping they would enhance the celebration and create a memorable experience for our guests.

How many guests did you have?

176. 

What was your budget? 

Miraculously, we didn’t totally blow the budget. Thanks to our wedding planner for keeping a close eye on our Pinterest board, while also keeping track of the numbers.

Tell us about your outfits.

I wore a WED Studio gown sourced from LOHO Bride. I visited the bridal shop with my mom and sister, and it was actually my sister who pulled the dress. The moment I tried it on, I felt an immediate rush of confidence. The dress perfectly reflected my style and felt like me in every way. I loved the unique details, the airy taffeta, and the timeless silhouette, which made me feel both elegant and comfortable.

Eric is straightforward and to the point, and his style reflects just that. He knew exactly what he wanted, which was a black suit that was an elevated version of the one in his usual wedding-guest rotation. He chose a Houndstooth Black Suit from Suit Supply, which was sharp and timeless.

What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?

The most important aspect for us was making sure the entire process felt authentic and intentional. We wanted to work with people who genuinely understood our vision and shared our values, so finding the right team became a top priority. Every vendor we chose brought creativity, care, and heart to the process, which made the experience feel collaborative and effortless. 

Were there any elements that were important for you to incorporate?

Having an outdoor component so our dog could be included, honoring our love of food, and creating a space where people could truly let loose and dance were all priorities. Above all, we wanted the experience to feel warm, relaxed, and true to who we are as a couple. 

It was also important to us that our guests felt like they were a part of our story, which helped the day feel intimate despite the larger guest count. To bring that to life, we shared personal vows, had a close friend officiate our ceremony, designed custom napkins with our very first text exchange, and had friends and family give speeches both nights.

Any tips for couples getting married?

Take the time to sit down as a couple and list the elements that are most important to you and your vision for the day. For us, this list became a mantra whenever outside opinions or ideas came our way. It reminded us not to get lost in the details of planning and always brought us back to what the day was truly about: celebrating our love and being with all of our people.

Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?

Kate Reavey from Cygnet Events and Design made the months leading up to the wedding, and the day itself, completely seamless. Her communication was exceptional, and she effortlessly managed the unique logistics of having two different ceremony and reception locations. Thanks to her thoughtful planning and perfectly structured timeline, the entire day flowed beautifully.

We were also so thankful to work with Atmosphere Events Group. Victoria Cacciatore-Bartlett and her team took our vision and ran with it in the best way. Walking into both venues and seeing everything come to life left us speechless. Seeing the enthusiasm of their team throughout the entire process made us even more excited for the big day.

We also cannot thank our photographer enough, Joanna McCormick from Joanna Creates, who beautifully captured the entire weekend. Our goal was to find someone who could capture not just the big moments, but the energy of each experience and the in-between moments that make the day truly special. Her documentary style did exactly that, and we feel so grateful to have these photos to cherish forever.

And lastly, we have to thank our amazing DJ, Rory Flynn. Since we love a good dance floor, getting the music right was extremely important. We first experienced his talent at a bar in St. Louis, and later that same weekend at a close friend’s wedding. His ability to read the room and set the perfect vibe is unmatched. Once we decided on a Chicago wedding, he was the first person who came to mind, and he proved to be one of the best additions to our celebration.

Photographer: Joanna Creates @joanna_creates | Planning & Styling: Cygnet Events and Design

@cygneteventsanddesign | Flora: Atmosphere Events Group @atmosphereeventsgroup | Ceremony Location: Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago @mcachicago | Reception Location: Manny’s Deli 

@mannysdeli | Celebrant: Friend of the couple Jeremy Glik | Rentals: Arcana Vintage Rentals

@arcanarentals | Linen: Samantha’s Linen | Hot Dog Sign Rental: Boggy’s World @boggysworld | HMUA: Bianca Sansosti Artistry @bsansostiartistry | Cake: Ferrara Bakery @originalferrara | Stationery:

Steracle Press @steraclepress | Entertainment: Deejay Makossa @djmakossa | Dress: WED Studio

@wedstudio from LOHO Bride @lohobride | Reception Dress: Vivienne Westwood @viviennewestwood | Suit: Suit Supply @suitsupply | Veil: Donna Beth Creations @donnabethcreations | Engagement Ring: Spinelli Kilcollin @spinellikilcollin | Wedding Rings: (Eric) Brilliant Earth @brilliantearth (Alana) Razny Jewelers @raznyjewelers | Shoes: Manolo Blahnik @manoloblahnik & Magnanni @magnanni | Accessories: Judith Leiber @judithleiberny