The newylweds celebrated after “I do.”
MORGAN LYONS AND MITCH D’ERAMO, WHO MET at a fraternity mixer at Wake Forest in 2016, have a big love, one that a single wedding simply couldn’t do justice. So they decided on two separate celebrations, in two different countries—plus welcome parties, rehearsal dinners, weekend activities, farewell brunches and more surrounding each. Chicago planner Ali Phillips orchestrated both wedding weekends; and with a mega list of of vendors onboard, she ensured no detail went overlooked.
It began in Zihuatanejo, Mexico. “My family has been going to Zihuatanejo since I was in high school. Mitch asked my dad for his blessing at the golf course in Ixtapa, and we have had many special memories there as a family.” They formally said “I do,” in a stunning seaside ceremony in the bride’s parents’ yard.
There was an extra special moment a day prior: “My mom, Gertrude, planned the most amazing bridal blessing before our rehearsal dinner,” Morgan shares. “We invited all the women, and she had everyone pick a crystal and say an intention for Mitch and I, then hide them around the area the ceremony was going to be, so we could be surrounded with good wishes and blessings.”
The celebration itself was vibrant. “We gave everyone maracas on the way out of the ceremony and had a larger-than-life papier-mâché bride and groom parade us to the beach club in a Mexican tradition called la callejoneada,” Morgan describes. At night, fireworks erupted.
Five months later, the couple hosted 300 guests in Morgan’s hometown Chicago for a party that was edgy and metropolitan. They skipped the ceremony and got straight to celebrating: There were “bubble girl” greeters and live musicians, sushi and seafood stations, live fashion painting, a unique photo booth, espresso and gelato carts and an incredible live band.
Fireworks shot off once again and the newlyweds ended the night by joining the band onstage.
“We are so grateful we got to celebrate our marriage twice,” Morgan reflects. “Each celebration was so unique and brought different special moments.” She advises other couples to trust the process—and enlist a stellar vendor team, of course. “It was better than I ever could have imagined thanks to my amazing wedding planner, Ali, and her entire team,” Morgan says. “You have to let go at a certain point, and trust everyone around you to take care of the rest.”
The bride and groom entered their Chicago reception at Offshore Rooftop looking sharp in a Lihi Hod gown and Burdi tuxedo.
The List
Venues Mexico: Private Home & Beach Club, Marea Beachfront Villas, mareabeachfrontvillas.com; Chicago: Offshore Rooftop, offshorerooftop.com
Wedding Planner Ali Phillips, Engaging Events by Ali, engagingeventsbyali.com
Bride’s Gowns Mexico: Rue de Seine; Chicago: Lihi Hod; Both: Alice in Ivory, aliceinivory.com; Second Looks: Elda De La Rosa, facebook. com/eldadelarosacouture; Mira Couture, miracouture.com
Bride’s Hair & Makeup Hair: Hair by Juan José, hairbyjuanjose.com; Makeup: Bridal by Aga, bridalbyaga.com
Wedding Dresser Rebecca Doroshuk, instagram.com/rebeccadoroshuk
Groom’s Attire Burdi, burdiclothing.com
Groom’s Watch Rolex, CD Peacock, cdpeacock.com
Rings Diamonds Direct, diamondsdirect.com
Bridesmaids’ Dresses Dessy, Bella Bridesmaids, bellabridesmaids.com
Groomsmen’s Attire Mexico: Jos. A. Bank, josbank.com; Chicago: The Black Tux, theblacktux.com
Florals & Decor Mexico: Jose Weck, instagram.com/joseweck_luxurydeco; Chicago: Kehoe Designs, kehoedesigns.com
Invitations Clementine Ink + Paper, clementineink.com
Catering Mexico: Banquetes Doña Elodia, instagram.com/banquetesdonaelodia
Cake ECBG Cake Studio, ecbgstudio.com
Ice Sculpture Nadeau’s Ice Sculptures, nadeauice.com
Linens BBJ La Tavola, bbjlatavola.com; Windy City Linen, windycitylinen.com
Rentals Marquee Event Rentals, marqueerents.com
Entertainment Mexico: DJ Megan Taylor, Fig Media, figgy.net; Gaby Ruz, instagram.com/lalocadelsax; Chicago Band: Jordan Kahn Orchestra, jordankahnmusiccompany.com; Entertainers: BeatMix Music, beatmixmusic.com; Live Art International, liveartinternational.com
Tent Blue Peak, bluepeaktents.com
Production Mexico: Ibiza Audio, instagram.com/ ibiza_audioixtapa; Chicago: BlackOak Technical Productions, blackoak.tech
Photo Booth Theo Milo, instagram.com/illuminateby.theomilo
Pet Services Luxe Dog Nanny, luxedognanny.com
Accommodations Sable at Navy Pier, hilton.com
Videographer Derek Chan Films, derekchanfilms.co
Photography by: Paul Morse
