JAMIE & ALEX

Feb 5

A celebration of cultures at Forest Park Visitor’s Center

In October of 2017, our dear friend (and amazing wedding planner), Katie Saeger, referred a darling couple our way. Jamie and Alex shared a beautiful love story and wanted to fully celebrate their commitment to one another with a weekend of celebration with their closest family & friends. Over the next 20 months, we worked together to curate three breathtaking events.

Their planning process was unique. While we were lucky enough to have Jamie close by (literally a hop, skip and jump from our office in the CWE), Alex soon moved to Minnesota to complete his fellowship. While the logistics weren't ideal, this sweet couple was an absolute dream as they fully trusted the process and tagged along for the ride. Our lawyer, Jamie, carefully reviewed the details and our vascular surgeon, Alex, passionately supported Jamie's ability to execute their vision. Toward the end of our planning, Alex's fellowship concluded and he moved closer to home to join a practice in Decatur, IL. While a few hours still separated the pair, their love for one another was just as strong, continuing to grow with excitement as the final details came together in prep for an amazing weekend.

To kick off the celebration, guests were invited to a fiesta themed welcome party paying homage to Jamie's Mexican heritage. The World's Fair Pavilion in Forest Park, one of our favorite spaces to transform, was completely decked out. Guests were greeted by a mariachi band while sipping margaritas and sangria from beautifully designed drink stations. A modified family style menu featured delicious street tacos with all the fixings. Tables were dressed with bright florals, lush greens and potted cacti. From custom papel picado flags strung from the ceiling and a piñata that hung above the chips & dip station to the hand lettered Mexican tile table numbers, bold glassware and terra cotta colored menu cards—it was a party that got our creative design juices flowing.

Similarly, the wedding day. OMG THE WEDDING DAY! One of the best parts about being a planner is having couples that let you be your most creative self. At one of our initial meetings, Alex mentioned “you only get married once, so let’s do everything that we want.” From that point on, this remained our theme. And they got everything they wanted and more. Their garden party wedding reception was one of the most stunning events we've ever produced. All of the insane wedding vendors worked harmoniously together to create the celebration of a lifetime. Every inch of The Trolley Room at Forest Park Visitor's Center was transformed. We are still dying over the custom display wall Exclusive Events made to feature the bud vase "escort cards" that the team at An Affair to Remember so beautifully made. But the suspended florals over the dance floor, Jamie's number one request, was complete magic.

Beyond beauty, their reception captured so much more. After incorporating Jamie’s heritage in the welcome party, Alex’s Chinese culture was highlighted throughout the night. The evening started with a traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony and once dinner concluded, guests were surprised when Lion Dancers came out to perform. Their choreographed first dance included perfectly timed sparklers to really kick off the celebration. But the highlight and real Hallmark-movie moment was when Alex took center stage and sang A Whole New World to Jamie just before their first dance. We knew he was a true romantic from the beginning, but he really showed his love for Jamie with his vulnerable display of affection for her. It was just darling.

To wrap the weekend, guests were invited to a farewell brunch at Wild Flower to mix and mingle one last time before heading home. With guests traveling from all over the world (literally) it was the perfect way to cap the celebration. And while it is always an honor to play this special role, Jamie and Alex's wedding, in particular, was extra special to us.