AMANDA RIVERA—an artist and actress known professionally as Raspy Rivera—and Tyrone Redic Jr. first met before the 2016 opening of now-shuttered restaurant Honey’s. Tyrone was partner and general manager; Amanda was applying for a job. “Amanda dazzled us with her presence, creative thinking, style and grace, and ultimately became the first person we hired as our maitre d’,” Tyrone remembers. But it was more than that for him. “I will never forget the flutter of the heart I felt when she came strutting down Lake Street [toward the restaurant].” Amanda felt a similar flutter—but the two remained professional and friendly until 2019, when Tyrone finally asked her to dinner after years apart. “I remember him greeting me at the restaurant and—boom—that same feeling from 2016 came flushing over me,” Amanda says. “Over a cocktail, we reconnected on a deeper level and we’ve been inseparable ever since.”
Their summer wedding perfectly encapsulated their history—the venue, in particular. “The second we walked into Wildman BT, we looked at each other and said, ‘This reminds me of Honey’s!’” Amanda says. They decked the space in a palette of blush, peach, dusty rose and burgundy for a “Spanish and soul-influenced evening.”
Food and guest experience were top priorities. “Both of us have hospitality backgrounds, and Tyrone’s theme is always to ‘make it special,’” Amanda says. “We skipped the traditional three-course dinner and [opted] for our favorite minority-owned vendors and food our family would love: Picture high-top tables and lounge areas that encourage mixing and mingling.”
The wedding was a beautiful ode to their love story, and one they planned with the same philosophy they use to approach life: “Keep each other first, and everything else will fall into place.”
Florals against a trifold screen served as the altar backdrop.
ECBG Cake Studio’s Metallic Splatter cake.
Short floral arrangements and candles lined the aisle.
Salsa dancers paid homage to the bride’s Puerto Rican heritage.
Amanda repurposed a wallpaper design she’d created for Michelin-starred restaurant Esmé to serve as a backdrop for the dance floor.
The List
Venue Wildman BT, wildmanbt.com
Wedding Planner Liz Martinez, The Revel Group, therevelgroup.com
Bride’s Gown Savin London, Bella Bianca Bridal Couture, bellabianca.com
Bride’s Shoes Stuart Weitzman, Macy’s, macys.com
Bride’s Jewelry Nadri, nadri.com
Bride’s Hair & Makeup Hair: JWade Studio, jwadestudio.com; Makeup: Suky V., instagram.com/sukyv_
Groom’s Tux Suitsupply, suitsupply.com
Rings Hers: custom; His: David Yurman, davidyurman.com
Bridesmaids’ Dresses Bella Bridesmaids, bellabridesmaids.com
Groomsmen’s Tuxes Indochino, indochino.com
Florals Splendor of Eden, splendorofeden.com
Catering Limelight, limelightcatering.com; Taylor’s Tacos, taylorstacoschicago.com; Food Truck: Soul & Smoke, soulandsmoke.com
Cake ECBG Cake Studio, ecbgstudio.com
Invitations Minted, minted.com/wedding Signage Mini Me Jubilee, instagram.com/ minimejubilee
Linens BBJ La Tavola, bbjlatavola.com
Entertainment DJ: The Soul Authority, thesoulauthority.com; Papo’s Santiago & Infraverde Orquesta; Dancer: Las Estrellas Dance Co., instagram.com/ lasestrellasdance
Photo Booth Square56, square56.com
Transportation Avital Limousine, avitalchicagolimousine.com
Accommodations Kimpton The Gray, grayhotelchicago.com
Videographer Sebastian “Sabby” Arroyo, One of One Events, solo.to/sabby
Photography by: Ambercita
