Wedding | Stephanie & David

Tell us a little about yourselves!

We first met eight years ago in college at Good Time Charley’s, a sports bar in Ann Arbor, Michigan. We knew we’d be married even then.

After graduation, we spent time on the West Coast in San Francisco and Seattle, followed by a few years on the East Coast in Brooklyn, before finally coming home to Chicago last year. David works in marketing and Stephanie owns a vintage clothing store called Found by Steph, but our biggest job is entertaining our dog, Bear.

Above all, we try to find something to celebrate each day, usually with a sweet treat or a glass of wine at our favorite local spot. Sometimes both.

Why did you decide to get married where you did?

We're both Midwest natives: Stephanie from the Chicago suburbs and David from Michigan. We wanted to choose a gathering place that felt like home, both to us and to our families. Chicago in the summer feels like being a kid again— swimming in Lake Michigan, hot dogs at baseball games, live music in the street— and we wanted our guests to experience the everyday magic we know and love.

Café Brauer was actually the only reception venue we toured, and we booked it almost immediately. It’s a historic landmark building built in 1908 with a lavish grand ballroom and an indoor/outdoor loggia that overlooks the city skyline. It just felt really timeless and familiar, especially knowing we’d be able to pass by it on farmers market days every summer.

How many guests did you have?

130.

Tell us about your outfits.

I wore a dress from Sept New York that was actually a two-piece skirt and corset set. I loved the idea of re-wearing the corset on future anniversaries with a silk slip skirt or even jeans. The pleating on the skirt is truly a work of art, and so comfortable that I wore it all day and all night (even in 100°F weather). We purposely kept the skirt hem a bit long so that I could pick it up while walking, which felt so romantic—for that reason, I actually didn’t carry my bouquet down the aisle.

My getting ready dress was a 1970’s Formfit Rogers lingerie slip from my vintage collection. While getting ready, the button came off and David sewed on a new one that morning with light blue thread for something blue. My vintage Chanel shoes (slingback heels and ballet flats) and vintage Chanel pearl earrings were also sourced by me.

David wore a vintage double-breasted shawl lapel tuxedo from Ermenegildo Zegna; we appreciated that it felt both classic and slightly offbeat, a nod to our vision of an all-night cocktail party. He paired it with a 1960s Omega Seamaster watch and vintage black leather loafers from Church’s. As a surprise, he tucked an embroidered handkerchief into his jacket and a vintage “S” pin on his lapel.

Our engagement ring and matching wedding bands were made by Ten Fine Jewelry, a long-standing jeweler based in Ann Arbor. Nearly 33 years ago, he also designed my parents’ engagement ring.

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

We talked a lot about keeping it authentic and true to our own definitions of romance and fun. Even though our wedding was fairly traditional, we didn’t want to get too lost in the overwhelming timelines and photo ops that have come to be expected. Thankfully, we had an amazing group of vendors-turned-friends who embraced us when we asked for a plan that was slightly pared back. The result was a day that was wonderfully our own—intentional, unhurried, and blissful, without feeling like it was a race to the finish line.

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

We wanted our wedding to feel nostalgic and warm, like we were all living in a shared memory together. Our photographer, Alisha Tova, understood this immediately, and you can feel it in every frame.

In addition to Super8 videography, we also passed around a vintage camcorder during the cocktail hour and on the dance floor, where guests left us sweet messages with drinks in hand and memorialized our sweaty singalongs with the band. It’s so special to have a physical tape of the unedited moments to keep forever.

Any tips for couples getting married?

Enjoy this rare pause in life, surrounded by an unlikely group that is only together in this moment because of and for you. Know that they are not here to see a different version of you, but rather to commemorate this exact version and all the versions you’ve been. It’s a day about love of all kinds!

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

It’s such a gift to work with a photographer like Alisha Tova who allows you to be truly present. We weren’t at all thinking about how the day was being documented, which is how she was able to capture those all-important, yet often forgotten “in-between” moments so beautifully and naturally. It’s just a bonus that she is such a joy to be around.

My hair was done by Emily Katz from Goldust Woman, who trims my bangs every month and has become a cherished friend along the way. Having her there—along with her exceptional makeup artist partner, Kelly Bush—made getting ready feel more like a girls' brunch, complete with gossip, happy tears, and french fries.

One of our favorite details of the day was the embroidered linen napkins we gave as favors. The talented Jess from Mister Baby Vintage set up her chainstitch embroidery machine on the loggia during cocktail hour and stitched custom napkins by hand for guests all night long. Such a special way to say thank you.

Photographer: Alisha Tova @alishatova | Planning: K & K Celebrates @kandkcelebrates | Flora: Flowers for Dreams @f4dweddings | Super8 Videographer: Claire Pump @cler_pump | Ceremony Location: Saint Clement Parish @saintclementparish | Reception Location: Café Brauer @tigerlilyevents | Rehearsal Dinner Location: Lou Lou @louloubylula | Celebrant: Father Brett Williams @saintclementparish | Linens: BBJ La Tavola @bbjlatavola | Getting Ready Location: Soho House Chicago @sohohouse | HMUA: Goldust Woman @goldustwoman | Catering & Beverages: (Rehearsal Dinner) Lula Cafe @lulacafe & (Wedding) Blue Plate Chicago @blueplatechicago | Cake: Portillo’s @portilloshotdogs| Band: Bluewater Kings Band @bluewaterkingsband | Live chainstitch embroidery: Mister Baby Vintage  @misterbaby_vintage | Getting Ready Dress, Purse & Shoes: Found by Steph @foundbysteph | Wedding Dress, Veil & Scarf: Sept @septnewyork | Rehearsal Dinner Dress & Jacket: (vintage, 1930’s) Call Me The Breeze @callmethebreeze | Suit: (Wedding) Ermenegildo Zegna @zegna & (Rehearsal) GianfrancoFerre  @gianfrancoferreofficial_ | Engagement & Wedding Rings: Ten Fine Jewelry @ten_fine_jewelry | Shoes & Earrings: (Vintage Chanel) Found by Steph @foundbysteph | Watch: Omega @omega