The couple couldn’t wait to get married. “We started interviewing planners 48 hours after being engaged,” Matt says.
Jen’s mangalsutra and bangles were purchased in Gurgaon, India.
Every year on their anniversary, Jen Gautam and Matt Berkshire visit the same West Loop sushi spot to recreate their first date. When Matt proposed in 2023, a new tradition was born. During a road trip to Saugatuck, Mich., Matt planned a cozy dinner and a romantic walk along the water at sunset. As they took in the view, he surprised Jen with a poem he had written, then got down on one knee and asked her to marry him.
For their Memorial Day weekend wedding, the couple chose The Field Museum as the backdrop, a venue that held deep personal significance. “The Field Museum was the first place I told Jen I loved her—and I wrote my vows a week after that,” Matt reflects. “So it just seemed like the perfect place for us.”
The couple wanted their wedding to honor both of their cultural heritages, blending Jen’s Indian roots with Matt’s Scottish traditions. The ceremony incorporated rituals like exchanging garlands and circling the holy fire alongside Scottish elements, including touches of Matt’s clan Macdonald tartan in the decor.
During the ceremony, Jen walked down the aisle under a chadar, symbolizing protection and support from her family, and Matt placed the mangalsutra around Jen’s neck, solidifying their lifelong commitment. The celebration was filled with personal touches and playful moments that reflected their shared sense of humor. Inspired by the museum’s ancient relics, Matt gifted his groomsmen dinosaur socks, and he made his grand entrance to the Jurassic Park theme. Jen surprised Matt by walking down the aisle to his favorite song, “Tennessee Whiskey.”
After three days of celebration, their 225 guests were still dancing when the night came to a close around 1 a.m. Reflecting on the whirlwind of joy, Matt shares some advice: “The wedding goes by so quickly,” he says. “Make sure to create little moments of euphoria with everyone who matters. It’s gone in the blink of an eye, and you don’t get another chance at it.”
The cake was designed to resemble stone and featured tiny raptor footprints up and down its sides.
A unique escort card display.
Decor featured shades of green, gold and blue, plus touches of Matt’s family tartan.
The ceremony was held beneath a unique draped mandap.
THE LIST
Venue Field Museum, fieldmuseum.org Wedding Planner Michelle Vining, LOLA Event Productions, lolaeventproductions.com Bride’s Attire Ceremony: Anita Dongre, us.anitadongre.com; Reception: Show Shaa Design House, theshowshaa.com Bride’s Hair & Makeup Tamara Hair + Makeup Artistry, tamaramakeup.com; Henna: Moniza Abbasi, Naperville Beauty Bar, napervillebeautybar.com Groom’s Tux Indochino, indochino.com Florals & Decor Kehoe Designs, kehoedesigns.com Catering Blue Plate, blueplatechicago.comCake Flourish Cake Design, flourishcakedesign.com Invitations Steracle Press, steracle.comEntertainment Indigo Band, Arlen Music Productions, arlenmusic.com Dance Lessons Sway Dance Chicago, swaydancechicago.comLinens BBJ La Tavola, bbjlatavola.comRentals The Festive Frog, thefestivefrog.com; Hall’s, hallsrental.com; Nüage Designs, nuagedesigns.comLighting FROST, frostchicago.comLive Painter Marjorie Jean, marjoriejean.comAccomodations The Langham, Chicago, langhamhotels.comVideography Wholehearted Films, wholeheartedweddingfilms.com
Photography by: Jeremy Bustos, Studio This Is
