We are so happy to have one of our fabulous brides as a guest blogger this Wedding Wednesday! Laura DeMayo Steele's wedding was truly beautiful with it's traditional Italian charm in the heart of Chicago. Laura tells her wedding story best in our post!
Laura & Pat’s save-the-date
cards were designed by HH Design House. Hayley created a cipher using the
initials L & P, which was implemented as a central motif throughout the
wedding. The photo of Laura & Pat’s engagement was taken at Bobby Flay’s
Bar Americain and was captured by her 86 year old grandfather. This picture was placed in the center of the
announcement above the Chicago skyline. The reverse side of the card featured
the numerous hotel options from which guests could choose during their stay in
the Windy City.
Laura
planned her wedding impeccably, paying attention to every detail with help from
her two best friends, her mother Maryann, and her sister Gina. Laura chose red and gold as the colors for
her classic Italian wedding. The focus of the wedding was on the couple, their
faith, their families, and their love for food.
Invitations
to the DeMayo-Steele wedding were written in Hayley’s calligraphy using a soft
black ink on gold beveled edge cotton paper.
The gold cipher was placed at the top of the invitation and on the outer
envelope. The invitation also included a
matching RSVP card and reception card.
Inner envelopes and outer envelopes were addressed by hand by
Hayley.
As
guests arrived in Chicago, they were greeted with a welcome box manifesting
their, “Welcome to the Windy City.” The scarlet box included a white sticker
with the L&P cipher in gold. Inside were goodies made in Chicago, bottled
water affixed with labels designed by HH Design House, and a welcome packet
created by HH Design House. The theme of the welcome box included some of
our favorite Chicago treats like Wrigley’s Gum, Baby Ruth Candy Bars, Snyder’s
Pretzels, and Garret’s Popcorn. The
welcome packets contained a sweet note from the couple, an itinerary for the
weekend, the history of St. Michael’s Church, and recommendations of the
greatest Chicago sites, restaurants, and shopping areas!
The bride wore a
dress by Italian Designer Peter Langner.
Her “something old” and “something borrowed” were manifested by the
handkerchief and rosary her mother Maryann carried on her wedding day which was
attached to Laura’s classic bouquet. The
bride’s bouquet included open white Ecuadorian Tibet roses, ivory garden roses and
cabbage roses. The stems were wrapped in coordinating satin ribbon with a pearl
pin detailing. A full bow with trailing ribbon tails was added as well as the
rosary, which is considered a family heirloom. The rosary beads were placed on
the bouquet handle underneath the ribbon while the cross acted as a central
charm placed on the front of the bride’s hand.
Her
“something blue” was represented by the bride’s initials and wedding date,
which were monogrammed in blue on the inside of her dress.
St
Michael in Old Town, Chicago, Illinois: St. Michael’s is one of the oldest
churches in Chicago and is a historical landmark of the city. St. Michael’s was one of the first churches
in Chicago to rise from the ashes after the Great Fire of 1871.
The wedding party
included friends and family of the bride and groom. The maid of honor was Mrs.Gina DeMayo
Goodenough who is the bride’s sister and best friend. The best man was Pat’s former roommate from
California, Adam Willett. The bridesmaids processed to “Orchard House” from the
movie Little Women. Each of Laura’s bridesmaids carried a
colorful and seasonal bouquet of gold and red circus roses as well as red
hypericum berries. A cuff of green Israeli ruscus rounded out the bouquets,
while the stems were wrapped in a gold satin ribbon. Laura was escorted by her father while
accompanied by “The Bridal March.” One of Laura’s favorite moments was having
her father Michael James DeMayo escort her down the aisle; however, before
reaching the groom her amazing mother was given the privilege to lift her veil,
hug and kiss her. Immediately afterward, both parents simultaneously
surrendered her to Pat. Upon reflection, Laura openly states, “At that moment I
felt God’s unconditional love and was truly humbled by his selfless blessings
as demonstrated initially through my parents, who have loved me unconditionally
and afforded me every opportunity in life, and subsequently through my husband
to be who possesses the most amazing heart and spirit”
Mi
famiglia was a central theme of the wedding. The flower girls and ring bearers
were the godchildren of the bride and groom, Sophia Laura Hampton, Eleanore
Beridon, Weston Miller, and Gregory Beridon. The sisters of the groom, Alyson
Beridon and Kathleen Steele, served as lectors along with Laura’s cousin
Jennifer Edwards. Bishop Curtis Guillory delivered the homily and focused on
the importance of commitment and the presence of God and His love for us in
every aspect of married life and interpersonal relationships in general. The
gift bearers were three of Laura’s childhood friends.
Laura
incorporated both her Italian heritage and Pat’s Irish heritage throughout the
ceremony and reception. While Laura and Pat lit the unity candle, “Oh Mio
Bambino Caro” was sung by a member of the Chicago Opera. At the conclusion of the ceremony, Laura’s
brother-in-law Douglas Goodenough sang the Irish Blessing a capella. It was
truly one of the most moving and magical parts of the ceremony. As Doug began
to sing, Laura and Pat recall that his voice sounded like that of an angel
singing from the choir loft. Both Laura and Pat were moved to tears and so
humbled by God’s goodness.
Each guest held a program
designed by HH Design House with the gold L&P cipher signifying the unity
of Laura and Pat as husband and wife. Laura and Patrick’s names were also
hand written in calligraphy. The program was ecru mounted on champagne
backing.
The
Private Dining Room of Spiaggia: “Located on Chicago's famous Magnificent
Mile; Chef Tony Montuano's dedication
to tradition and elegance of
presentation creates the best in fine Italian dining.” Pat
and I wanted to have an intimate reception in an elegant Chicago setting to
ensure that our family and closest friends were an integral part of our special
day.
As reception guests
arrived at Spiaggia’s private dining space, they were greeted by entry tables
adorned with linear assortments of cylinder vases featuring rounded bouquets of
Black Magic and Circus Roses. Mercury glass votives and candlesticks were
distributed among the tables in Spiaggia’s entryway/cocktail space. Moving into
the beautiful main dining space, each table featured 8” cakes from Sarah’s
Candy and Pastries topped with glamelia-style arrangements—thereby alternating
each centerpiece with Circus and Black Magic roses with a cuff of salal leaves.
In
commemoration of the legacy from which Pat and I have evolved, wedding photos
of our parents and grandparents surrounded by vases filled with Black Magic and
Circus Roses were placed on the table where our guests first entered the
cocktail area. This table manifested our
families’ commitment to marriage and its importance as a sacrament. Those
photos collectively marked over two centuries of marriage. Not only did this area serve as a trip down
memory lane, but it also set the bar for expectation and possibilities!!! It prompted everyone to look to the future
with hope!
Pat
and I selected one of our favorite Lionel Richie songs “You Are” as our first
dance. We wanted to dance to a song that we would not only dance to in our
kitchen together as husband and wife, but also would set the tone for the
festivities.
The
meal began with a Prosecco toast, followed by Antipasto Caprese Mozzarella Di
Bufala, Nichols Farm Apple Mostarda, Spiaggia Extra Virgin Olive Oil
accompanied by an assortment of Italian bread.
The Primo Piatto course was a hand crafted butternut squash filled pasta
with brown butter, sage, and Parmigiano Reggiano. The Piatto Principali course
was an option of Wood Roasted Golden Trout with Brussel Sprouts, Tuscan Beans,
Roasted 60 Shallots and Potatoes, or a Wood Roasted Trattoria Steak with Crispy
Yukon Gold Potatoes, 90 Arugula and Parmigiano Reggiano. The menus were designed by HH Design House with each guest's name written in calligraphy at the top.
Our
wedding cake was created by Sara Levy of Sarah’s Pastries & Candies &
the Winner of Food Network Challenge Extreme Dinosaur Cakes. The Almond Wedding Cake with Caramel Crème
Brulee Filling and Buttercream Icing was topped with the cake topper from
Laura’s parents’ wedding. While the bride and groom fed each other their first
bite, “That’s Amore” was played by the band.
Guests also enjoyed a variety of gelati and sorbetti and assorted
Italian cookies.
Guests
were greeted by a Welcome Sign: “Benvenuti Alle Nozze DeMayo e Steele.” The seating chart was created by HH Design
House. Rather than traditional place
cards, each guest at each table was greeted with a calligraphed personalized
menu, which was mounted on red, green, or gold paper to indicate whether the
meal of choice was meat, fish or vegetarian.
Oh,
there are so many wonderful memories and favorite moments!! One of my favorite
moments of the day occurred when Pat and I exchanged our vows. “I will love you
and honor you all the days of my life.” Never before had words been uttered
that resounded with such truth or more meaning. We were both overcome by so
many emotions and so thrilled to be announced as husband and wife. My second
favorite moment was dancing with my grandfather to “Unforgettable.” Only three
months earlier he had undergone knee replacement surgery, and we were so
worried about his recovery and his ability to attend the wedding. Once we knew
he would attend, my one request was that he would at least dance to a couple
beats of “Unforgettable” with me, as it has been a dream of mine since
childhood. He graciously agreed pre-nuptials and then at the reception not only
did he dance, but he moved the entire crowd to tears as the dance started and
then ushered them to applause and laughter as he dipped me to the chorus. Aside from my father, he is truly the most
amazing man on earth! I will forever remember dancing with my sweet Papa Tom at
my wedding.
The
guests received sugar cookies from Sarah’s Pastries & Candies. Each
heart-shaped cookie was decorated with an Italian statement of gratitude, “Grazie
Mille.” Additionally, guests were encouraged to select five Jordan Almonds, all
of which were white, from a large bowl and place them in a small sheer
champagne colored gift bag. Each of the
five almonds signifies five wishes for the bride and groom: health, wealth,
happiness, fertility and longevity. In
keeping with the traditions of my Italian ancestors, especially my maternal
great-grandparents, parents and sister and brother-in-law, the bowl of
“Confetti” appeared on the table as it has in the past and will for many
generations to come.
