Wedding | Maggie & Erin

Tell us a little about yourselves!

We matched on a dating app in 2018 when Maggie was visiting San Francisco, where Erin lived. We connected right away and started dating long-distance. We both had remote jobs, so we bounced between San Francisco and Chicago for two years, until COVID made that impossible and Erin moved to Chicago. We were together for seven years before we were married. These days we love to travel as much as we can, spend time with our family and friends, explore the city, and walk along the lake with our dog.

Why did you decide to get married where you did?

We got married in Sonoma County, CA, very close to where Erin is from originally. This area is special to both of us, as it’s where we spent a lot of time during our first two years dating long distance. Now that we have settled in Chicago, it felt important for us to get to share this part of our lives and Erin’s roots with everyone we love who hadn’t gotten to experience it.

How many guests did you have?

115.

Tell us about your outfits.

We both found our dresses at Grace Loves Lace. Maggie went first with her mom and sister and found a dress she loved immediately.

Erin’s maid of honor knew which dress Maggie had chosen and helped Erin find one that would complement, not match. Erin had been considering an alternate choice to a classic wedding dress and when the stylist put the cape on her, Erin knew this was exactly what she needed to fit her sense of style.

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

We wanted our wedding to feel intimate and personal, and for our guests to feel taken care of. With half our guests from the West Coast and the other half from the Midwest, we were excited to blend our communities and wanted everyone to leave the event feeling like they understand where we each come from and how they all weave into the tapestry of our lives.

We also wanted to put on a good party! Elements like the food, drinks, band and the wigs we brought out for late night were all important pieces to that.

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

Erin is Jewish, so it was important for us to include some Jewish traditions into the ceremony and reception. We both also have lost a parent and wanted to find a way to honor them. One of the most meaningful ways we did so was by having videos of each of them singing and dancing that we played during our dances with our parents.

Any tips for couples getting married?

There are so many moments while planning that will feel overwhelming and stressful, but in the end it will all come together. There are no supposed-to’s - just focus on what is important to you. Try to enjoy the chaos and soak it all in, it will be over before you know it. Also, wigs are a hit.

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

So many! We are so grateful to all of our vendors but there are a few that really went above and beyond. Jaime Tosti Events, our wedding planner, was everywhere all at once on our wedding day and made the event go so smoothly. xoMe Studio, our photographer, captured all the magic of the weekend beautifully and helped us feel at ease in front of the camera. And Sonoma County Catering was incredible - the food and service were amazing and we couldn’t recommend them enough.

Photographer: xoMe Studio @xo_me_studio | Planning: Jaime Tosti Events @jaimetostievents | Flora: M Designs Floral Events @maria_mdesignfloralevents | Videographer: La Luna Productions @laluna_

productions | Ceremony & Reception Location: Highlands Estate @thehighlandsestate | Celebrant: Maggie’s Aunt | HMUA: The Brush Salon @brush.the.salon | Catering & Beverages: Sonoma County Catering @sonomacountycatering | Entertainment: Ryan Hernandez Events @ryan_hernandez_official | Dresses: Grace Loves Lace @grace_loves_lace | Engagement & Wedding Rings: Zabler Design @zablerdesign