I love the intimacy of this Chicago wedding. Captured by Amanda Megan Miller Photography, Lauren and Michael were married last May in a sweet and simple event surrounded by their closest family and friends. Lauren’s father passed away in 2010, and she never cared to be given away, so she walked into the ceremony alone. She did, however, have a piece of paper in her bouquet with a joke she shared with her dad on one side and the song she thought he would have wanted to dance with her to on the other. A wonderful way to remember her father and carry him with her on her wedding day. Lauren’s brother officiated their non-religious ceremony and also provided wonderful music on his acoustic guitar. Lauren and Michael wrote their own short vows, six lines each. Following the ceremony, the couple and their 23 guests headed to a private upstairs room in an Irish bistro. After the cocktail hour, which featured fabulous craft beer on tap, the bride’s brother played an acoustic version of Al Green’s Let’s Stay Together as the wedding song. Later, there was a “moms dance” to How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You, during which Lauren and Michael each danced with their mom at the same time. This is a wedding where the true focus of the day was on the couple’s love and sharing their commitment with an intimate group of close friends and family.
A few words from the bride:
Michael and I had 23 in attendance. Even though the number is small, we had seven states in attendance – IL, IN, WI, MI, NJ, NY and TX. We always knew if we were to marry it’d be small, we’re not really what you’d call “wedding people”. There was no proposal, we had talked about marriage over the almost 3 years we had dated and in early October 2011 decided we’d marry in 2012. We wanted something low key, meaningful and within budget! We really thought of it as a dinner party event – we had a relaxed cocktail hour and dinner after the ceremony while our Spotify music account played in the background on my laptop.
Photographer: Amanda Megan Miller Photography
Ceremony + Reception Venue, Catering: Mrs. Murphy and Sons Irish Bistro
Bridal Gown Designer: J. Crew, Style Arabelle
Bridal Gown Alterations + Additions: Gown alterations and straps added by Mignonette Bridal
Bridal Shoes: Target
Bridal Veil/Headpiece: Hair flower borrowed from bride’s friend
Bride’s Necklace: Macy’s
Bride’s Earrings: Gift from the groom
Bridesmaid Dress Store: Macy’s
Groom’s Suit: J. Crew
Cake Designer: Dinkel’s Bakery
Floral Designer: Silk flowers from afloral.com, arrangement by bride and her stepmother’s sister-in-law
Makeup Artist: Bride’s friend
Hair Stylist: Phillip Cowan of Lather
Invitation Designer: Customized by bride at Wedding Paper Divas
Wedding Planner: the bride
Band: Bride’s brother, Joe on acoustic guitar
Officiant: Bride’s brother, Joe
All images by Megan Miller Photography
Submitted via Two Bright Lights