A Midnight Garden Wedding Inspired by Vintage French Chateaus

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”][/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]

The color palette features enchanting golds, regal emeralds, varying shades of pink, lavender, and white.

Drawing inspiration from vintage French chateaus and classic European aesthetics, the decor showcased a fusion of elegance and charm. The color palette features enchanting golds, regal emeralds, varying shades of pink, lavender, and white. They aimed to “transport guests to a midnight European garden, creating an atmosphere of timeless romance and grace”. The dress code was black-tie, while encouraging guests to add personal style. They say, “We wanted everyone to have fun with their choice and encouraged them to take a risk!”. As such, they suggested utilizing rich and elegant hues to complement the ambiance with unique silhouettes and avant-garde accessories.

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[field title=”Proposal Story”][/field]
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[board_carousel title=”Getting Ready”]

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[board_carousel title=”Flat Lays”]

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[section title=”The Fashion”]
[field title=”Wedding Gown”]

(The Grooms’ Looks) To match the timeless elegance of The Drake Hotel, we chose classic black-tie ensembles, wearing custom tuxedos designed by Chicago designer Daniel George. Our tuxedos fit beautifully, and we both opted for vests. We deliberately matched our attire to symbolize our unity in marriage. The inside lining of our jackets featured floral patterns that tied into our wedding décor. Our shoes were Venetian loafers made in Italy. For our rings, we had them custom-made by Buccellati. Jackson’s ring, in rose gold, took six months to make, while mine was the same in white gold. The design was unique to us, and having our rings crafted in Italy felt especially meaningful since we got engaged in Tivoli, Rome. While we opted for a classic look, we collaborated with our bridesmaids on a stunning color palette of magenta, green, lilac, and light pink. Each bridesmaid chose her preferred color and selected a dress she felt comfortable in. The final look was perfect, and we loved that they were able to wear something they truly loved.

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[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”][/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”][/field]
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[board_carousel title=”Wedding Party”]

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[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]

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[board_carousel title=”Cocktail Hour”]

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[section title=”The Details”]
[field title=”Food & Drink”]

For cocktail hour, we offered a selection of six appetizers, including sushi and bacon-wrapped dates. Instead of the Drake staff handing out red wine, we opted for Grey Goose and soda, knowing that many of our guests (as well as ourselves) prefer vodka sodas when we go out. We even named it Gay Water and featured it on our signature cocktail menu. For our mocktail, we served a refreshing watermelon drink and named it Pink Pony Club after the Chappell Roan song, one of our favorites this year. Dinner was a five-course meal, beginning with butternut squash soup served with curried apple chutney, followed by a watermelon & strawberry salad with an arugula bundle, Bulgarian feta, white balsamic pearls, pecans, and a champagne vinaigrette. Guests then enjoyed an intermezzo of blueberry lemon sorbet before choosing from the following entrées: Filet Mignon – Served with sweet and Kennebec pommes dauphinoise, Comté cheese, broccolini, smoked forest mushrooms, roasted baby vine tomatoes, and chimichurri. Maple Bourbon Roasted Chicken Breast – Served with Corn & Wild Mushroom Strata – Accompanied by fava beans and acorn squash. Wild Mushroom Ravioli – Served with broccolini, sweet mini bell peppers, English peas, and a roasted garlic parmesan cream sauce.

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[field title=”Florals & Decor”]

This was one of our favorite aspects of the wedding. Our vision was to transport guests into a secret midnight garden in France—a setting that felt both grand and intimate, like stepping into another time and place. The Drake already provided a stunning backdrop with its tall ceilings, vintage gold pillars, and beautiful chandeliers. To set the mood, we requested that the overhead lights be turned off and the curtains drawn, leaving only the chandeliers and candlelight to illuminate the space. Our ceremony was surrounded by lush florals and greenery. We were married beneath a breathtaking French-inspired iron gazebo, adorned with cascading greenery and varying shades of pink florals and roses. We chose roses because our favorite song as a couple is La Vie en Rose, which we play every time we visit Paris. As we walked down the aisle, we were surrounded by trees, candles, and floral arrangements, creating the feeling of a magical forest. Our cocktail hour featured a custom escort card display, framed by garden gates draped in flowers, along with a floral backdrop featuring our custom monogram seal. For the reception, we transformed the space into our midnight garden vision. We had a baroque-style monogram seal in the middle of the dance floor. Eight tables featured towering five-foot trees covered in roses and greenery, with hanging candles and vintage candleholders at their base, surrounded by moss. Green tablecloths complemented the theme, while mirrored tables were paired with large candelabras draped in pink flowers, creating an aged, enchanted garden effect. Our head table was adorned with a cascading floral waterfall, and the band performed on a mirrored platform with white draping. Every detail was meticulously planned to create a dreamlike, fairytale setting.

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[field title=”Wedding Cake”]Our wedding cake was a four-tier, seven-layer chocolate cake with mocha chocolate and strawberry filling, provided by The Drake. The cake had vintage-inspired detailing with light gold accents, complementing the classic ambiance of the reception. We envisioned a timeless design, as we planned to cut the cake beneath our floral gazebo.

However, our favorite dessert was the macaron tower, filled with a variety of flavors. It was a perfect nod to our European theme, and as longtime Gossip Girl fans, we couldn’t resist channeling our inner Blair Waldorf with an elegant macaron display.[/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]

It was truly the most perfect day. Every detail was thoughtfully planned over a year, and the love we felt from every single guest made it even more magical. One of the most special moments was replacing traditional religious readings with letters from our parents, sharing their love for us and wisdom for this next chapter of our lives. The letters were read aloud by close friends and family, making it an incredibly personal and heartfelt moment.

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[field title=”Special Detail #2″]We also exchanged gifts that represented a piece of ourselves, symbolizing that a part of us would always be with the other. Jackson gifted me a gold rose, symbolizing our love for La Vie en Rose and the idea that his love for me would never wilt. I gave him a music box that plays La Vie en Rose—a tribute to my lifelong love of music and a way to always keep that part of me with him.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″]

Other unforgettable moments included: Our ABBA cover band at the rehearsal dinner. We love ABBA, and we’ve been following this Chicago-based cover band for a decade. We’ve even become friends with them, so inviting them to our wedding felt extra special. Our guests LOVED it! Jackson’s father’s moving speech. He quoted the Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage, reminding everyone of how meaningful and significant this moment truly was. My dance with my mom. We choreographed a medley of Beyoncé songs, which was an absolute hit! Dancing has always been special to us, and it was a moment I will cherish forever. The entire day was filled with love, happiness, and pure joy. It was truly a fairytale, and we wouldn’t change a thing.

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[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]

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[board_carousel title=”Reception”]

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