Allison Kruse Allison Kruse | June 24, 2024 | Wedding Features,
The grooms got ready and took photos at The Four Seasons Hotel Chicago.
ON A LUCKY DAY in 2012, Jason Gershman walked into D4 Irish Pub to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, and Patrick Macellaio happened to be working. Jason left his phone number and the two briefly dated—then went their separate ways. Six years later, the couple reconnected; and a few years after that, they got engaged in Aspen.
The duo said “I do” in an interfaith ceremony that combined their Catholic and Jewish traditions, with both a rabbi and a priest present. Sonnets and passages were read by family members, and Patrick and Jason wrote their own touching vows. “Our ceremony was very important and special to us,” Patrick says. “Given that we both grew up not always having the right to marry, but raised in families where religion, family and tradition were very important, we made sure to bring all of that into our service and ensure that everyone in the room felt the love we have for each other.”
There was an energy shift for the fun-filled reception. Snacking on fabulous Italian desserts and sipping signature Grey Goose martinis, guests used napkins printed with designs of famous divas like Cher, Whitney, Britney and Beyoncé. And that was just the beginning: The reception featured a dazzling performance by a Cher impersonator from Las Vegas. The couple’s family and friends danced the night away to fabulous music celebrating Patrick and Jason’s love story—an ode to that famous Cher lyric, “I guess it’s meant to be, forever you and me, after all.”
All of the grooms’ shoes—from glittery spiked sneakers to patent leather loafers—were by Christian Louboutin.
The newlyweds on the dance floor.
The Italian wedding cake had cannoli filling.
Cocktail napkins featured lyrics from iconic divas.
“We wanted to take our guests on a journey, moving from room to room throughout the venue,” Patrick says. The reception had color and rich tones and multidimensional floral pieces for each table with a mix of equestrian elements, a nod to Jason’s passion for horses.”
A Cher impersonater performed at the reception. “
“Aspen in the fall” was the inspiration for the chuppah. A Cher impersonater performed at the reception Photographed by Chad Husar, Studio
Venue Chicago History Museum, chicagohistory.org
Wedding Planner Michelle Durpetti Events, durpettievents.com
Grooms’ Tuxes Armani, armani.com
Grooms’ Styling G ALXNDR, galxndr.com
Rings Dana Rebecca Designs, danarebeccadesigns.com; Tiffany & Co., tiffany.com
Grooming Shave: Merchant & Rhoades, merchantandrhoades.com; Hair & Makeup: Magnificent Brides, magnificentbrides.com
Florals & Decor Kehoe Designs, kehoedesigns.com
Catering Limelight, limelightcatering.com
Cake Ferrara Inc., ferrarabakery.com
Invitations Smitten Boutique, smittenboutique.com
Linens BBJ La Tavola, bbjlatavola.com; Nüage Designs, nuagedesigns.com
Entertainment BeatMix Music, Band: BKO, beatmixmusic.com; Cher Impersonator: Lisa McClowry, lisamcclowry.com
Lighting BlackOak Technical Productions, blackoak.tech
Tent Blue Peak, bluepeaktents.com
Accommodations Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, fourseasons.com/chicago
Transportation Pontarelli, pontarelliischicago.com; V.I.P. Valet Services, vipvaletservices.com
Videographer Wholehearted Films, wholeheartedweddingfilms.com
Photography by: Chad Husar, Studio This Is