“Our home, a timeless sanctuary nestled by the lake, has always been the heart of our love story and our family,” says fashion designer Chloe Mendel, who married The Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan last fall after more than a dozen years together. Indeed, the couple’s North Shore abode has hosted nearly every monumental moment in their life together. Their children, Augustus Juppiter and Philomena Clementine, were delivered there in home births. It’s where Billy proposed on Chloe’s 30th birthday in 2022. And, on Sept. 16, 2023, it’s where they finally said “I do.”
For the intimate wedding inspired by 1930s-era soirees, “we beckoned our friends and family on a journey through our gardens,” Chloe says. There were pre-ceremony cocktails among tall native prairie grasses, then a ceremony overlooking the lake, cocktail hour in the English rose garden, a winding walk through the pumpkin patch and a tented reception in the Jens Jensen-designed fountain area.
Combining the couple’s backgrounds and passions, music and fashion were central to the wedding day. Both bride and groom wore custom House of Gilles ensembles designed by Chloe’s father, Gilles Mendel. Chloe’s gown, too, was a homage to home: “We aimed for it to reflect the essence of our home and evoke the feeling of Lake Michigan at sunrise, with the mist hovering over the lake,” Chloe says. “It was constructed of handpleated lace—my father’s signature— incorporating 60 yards of delicate Solstiss lace. Silver-lined bugle bead embroideries were inspired by my hometown of New York and the Chrysler Building.”
She walked down the aisle to the piano music of Mike Garson (who played for David Bowie); Joel Paterson performed jazz guitar as guests made their way to dinner; Jimmy Chamberlin gave a speech. Even the wine was a nod to music: Dave Matthews’ The Dreaming Tree wine was served alongside tea from the couple’s joint venture, Highland Park spot Madame ZuZu’s.
Of course, the groom took the mic as well. “As the night unfolded, Frank Catalano started playing a jazz set with Mike Garson on keys and Jimmy Chamberlin on drums, igniting the celebration,” Chloe shares. “Then Billy took the stage, performing ‘Tonight, Tonight’ and ‘Summertime.’”
It all began at home, and so too it ended there. “The afterparty, nestled back in our cherished home, featured late-night poker, truffle fries and endless laughter,” the bride says. “It was a culmination of love, family, laughter and the promise of a lifetime together—a testament to our enduring love story.”
Tom Kehoe of Kehoe Designs created a stunningly lush floral arch of ombre autumnal hues for the ceremony on the couple’s lawn overlooking the lake.
Chloe’s father, Gilles Mendel, designed and constructed her one-of-a-kind gown using 60 yards of Solstiss lace, hand-pleated in his signature technique. “The gown featured an elegant cape and train, making it truly stunning,” Chloe says.
The bride and groom with their children, Philomena Clementine and Augustus Juppiter
The garden dinner featured a cheese and charcuterie spread that looked like something straight from a Renaissance painting.
The List
Venue Private Home
Wedding Planner NORA Events, mynoraevent.com
Bride & Groom’s Attire House of Gilles, houseofgilles.com
Wardrobe Belle Atelier, bellebridalatelier.com
Bride’s Hair & Makeup Wedding Hair: Jerome Lordet, instagram.com/jeromelordetnyc; Rehearsal Hair: Hair by Juan José, hairbyjuanjose.com; Makeup: Bridal by Aga, bridalbyaga.com
Bride’s Shoes Valentino, valentino.com
Bride’s Jewelry Cathy Waterman, cathywaterman.com
Rings Graziela, grazielagems.com
Florals & Decor Kehoe Designs, kehoedesigns.com
Invitations Martha Nippert, marnani.com
Lighting BlackOak Technical Productions, blackoak.tech
Catering RPM, rpmrestaurants.com
Cake Petal & Moon Pastry, petalmoonpastry.com
Sweets Kasama, kasamachicago.com
Linens BBJ La Tavola, bbjlatavola.com
Rentals The Festive Frog, thefestivefrog. com; Tablescapes, tablescapes.com
Entertainment Harpist: Janelle Lake, janellelake.com; Pianist: Mike Garson, instagram.com/mikegarson; Jazz Band: Joel Paterson, joelpaterson.com; DJ: Greg Corner, instagram.com/gregcorner; Casino Tables: Chicago Casino Event Planners, casinoeventplanners.com/chicago
Tent Blue Peak, bluepeaktents.com
Videographer Circle Dot, circledotweddings.com
Additional Photographer Masato Onoda, masatoonoda.com
Photography by: Danielle Simone & Co.
