Elise had the Eisen Stein Finch gown shortened for the church ceremony for “a flair of old-school glam,” she says.
ELISE TERLATO and Luke Joyce got engaged twice—first in 2018 and again in 2020, when they felt more ready—so it seemed only fitting that they have two weddings as well. “We are both traditional and progressive,” says Elise, who is fourth generation in her family’s storied wine business. “Therefore, we wanted an intimate church ceremony and larger ceremony and party.” They began with a celebration in the city, saying “I do” at St. Mary of the Angels on a Thursday evening, the bride donning a calf-length Eisen Stein dress and birdcage veil. “The look felt very ‘Italy in the ’40s,’” she says. After the ceremony, and for the first time as newlyweds, they hosted an intimate Vow & Forever-themed dinner reception at West Loop venue The Dalcy.
If Thursday was about tradition and love, Saturday was about fun—an experiential event for a larger crowd of 235. The venue, Tangley Oaks Amour Estate in Lake Bluff, gave off the romantic Italian winery vibes they were hoping for. “It’s a very personal and special place to us,” Elise says. “It’s where my family’s business is headquartered and the original location where Luke proposed to me in 2018.”
The fete began with a ceremony during which the couple reacknowledged their marriage and said their vows in front of everyone; from there, the journey began. “The ceremony commenced with a surprise gospel chorus singing ‘You Can’t Hurry Love,’” Elise says. “The choir led guests into the estate for cocktail hour, where everyone was greeted with a glass of Lanson Champagne.”
For Elise and her mother, planning revolved around the surprise factor; they wove in the unexpected wherever they could. A few examples? Fireworks erupted during the first dance; Frankie Valli tribute group The Four C Notes serenaded guests; and an espresso and gelato bar popped up in the evening. Later, a “love train” led guests into the vintage baseball-themed afterparty, where living statues reenacted old baseball players, a nod to the groom’s college baseball days. “Outside the afterparty was a photo booth accompanied by late-night Chicago-style snacks and a cigar lounge,” Elise says. “We wanted it to be nonstop fun, all night, with continued surprises that kept our guests entertained. It was just that.”
Elise’s gown had a detachable skirt.
Flower girls carried round bouquets.
Elise’s dad walked her down the aisle.
Armour Mansion made for royal wedding-worthy photos.
Floral arrangements flanked the entrance.
It wouldn’t be a Terlato wedding without great wine.
Cans of San Benedetto sparkling water kept guests hydrated.
The cake was inspired by the bride’s gown.
Greenery and pops of burgundy and merlot called to mind an Italian secret garden.
A custom escort board featured individual gold keys with name tags.
A Frankie Valli tribute group from BeatMix Music sang as Elise and her father danced to “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” Photographed by Olivia Leigh Photographie
The fashionable bridal party. Photographed by Olivia Leigh Photographie
The List
Venues Ceremony: St. Mary of the Angels, sma-church.org; Thursday Reception: The Dalcy, thedalcy.com; Saturday Ceremony & Reception: Tangley Oaks Armour Estate, terlato.com
Wedding Planner Linda Alpert, Affairs With Linda, affairswithlinda.com
Bride’s Gowns Thursday Ceremony: Eisen Stein; Saturday Reception: YSA Makino, both: Mira Couture, miracouture.com; Afterparty: Retrofête, retrofete.com
Bride’s Hair & Makeup Thursday Hair: Megan Schnell Hair, meganschnell.com; Saturday Hair: Paul Rehder Salon, paulrehdersalon.com; Thursday Makeup: Shannon O’Brien, shannonobrienmua.com; Saturday Makeup: Suzanne Ishoo
Groom’s Tux custom, Knot Standard, knotstandard.com
Rings Rogers & Hollands, rogersandhollands.com
Bridesmaids’ Dresses Jenny Yoo, BHLDN, bhldn.com
Groomsmen’s Tuxes The Black Tux, theblacktux.com
Florals & Rentals VH Designs, vhdesigns.net
Catering Thursday: Aba, abarestaurants.com; Saturday: Paramount Events, paramounteventschicago.com
Wine Terlato, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, southernglazers.com, terlato.com
Cake Altissima, altissimacake.com
Escort Cards Letters Ink, letters-ink.com
Signage Fly Paper Designs, flypaperdesigns.com
Entertainment BeatMix Music Band: The Party Faithful, beatmixmusic.com
Lighting FROST, frostchicago.com
Transportation Executive Motor Carz, executivemotorcarz.com
Accommodations Deer Path Inn, thedeerpathinn.com; The Langham, Chicago, langhamhotels.com
Videographer Charlie Hilbrant, charliehilbrantfilms.com
Photographer Olivia Leigh Photographie, olivialeighweddings.com
Photography by: Olivia Leigh Photographie
