Real Weddings: Gina + Mark

Gina and Mark’s wedding ceremony was held steps from my house!  Chicago’s gorgeous Holy Name Cathedral is a hotspot for weddings, especially in the summer, and I love seeing a peek into it through their beautiful ceremony and Clary Pfeiffer’s gorgeous photography. Gina grew up attending Christmas Mass with her mother, who passed away when Gina was 19, at Holy Name. Because it is one of the places where she has beautiful memories of her mother, she knew it was the perfect place to hold the ceremony.

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Gina’s grandmother and aunts made her veil by hand, and also sewed a small photo of her mother into her bouquet handle so that she would be with her throughout this important day. Gina’s “something old” was a penny taped into her shoe… the same penny that her grandmother wore in her shoe to marry Gina’s grandfather sixty years ago.

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After a few requisite photo opps around Chicago…

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… everyone moved north to Lincoln Park for a reception at Cafe Brauer.  Originally used as a gymnasium, the 102-year old Cafe Brauer is now owned by the Lincoln Park Zoo and features gorgeous views of the downtown skyline, original hardwood floors, and beautiful Tiffany chandeliers.

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All of the mason jars in the beautiful hydrangea centerpieces are from Mark’s family farm in central Illinois.

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The following Chicago wedding vendors contributed to Gina and Mark’s wedding:

Photography – Clary Pfeiffer Photography (serves St Louis and Chicago)
Ceremony Venue – Holy Name Cathedral
Reception Venue – Cafe Brauer
Floral – Ashland and Addison Florist
Stationery – The Design Group Palos Park, IL
Favors – Donation to the American Cancer Society, in memory of Gina’s mother
Videographer – Poetic Productions
Catering – The Entertaining Company
Bakery – Amy Beck Cake Designs
DJ – Fig Media
Transportation – Windy City Trolley
Gown – Marisa
Bridesmaids dresses – David’s Bridal
Hair and makeup – Sharzad of Beauty on Call
Earrings – Weddings 826
Shoes – Pour La Victoire Bridal and Evening, Stella Zappos
Bridesmaid accessories – handmade by Ayca Gokcen Miller of Adornments

For more Chicago wedding inspiration and to follow EAD’s two Chicago bride bloggers, visit the Chicago local weddings guide!