THE COUPLE A few weeks after Gabby Palumbo and Sam Shapiro closed on their first condo together, Sam proposed on the empty rooftop. “I was giving my best friend a tour of the new place,” Gabby says. “When we reached the rooftop, Sam was waiting there with a hidden photographer to capture the moment!” Their wedding fell two years to the date after their closing.
THE DETAILS Gabby and Sam combined their faiths in a Catholic ceremony that incorporated Jewish traditions like the breaking of the glass. Florist Erin McDonald introduced summery floral hues at the church, then transitioned them into the Hilton Chicago’s Grand Ballroom, where he was inspired by European design for the decor.
THE PARTY Gabby was the last of five sisters to get married—planner Ali Phillips orchestrated all five weddings—and the bride kept a special tradition intact: A choreographed sisters dance performed in front of their 450 guests. Family and friends rallied around the newlyweds for a romantic first dance—and continued dancing until 3 a.m. in the hotel’s International Ballroom-turned-nightclub.
THE LIST
Wedding Planner Ali Phillips, Engaging Events by Ali, engagingeventsbyali.com
Bride’s Dresses Ceremony: Monique Lhuillier, Ultimate Bride, ultimatebride.com; Reception: Eva Lendel, Mira Couture, miracouture.com
Wedding Dresser Caroline Shaw, theweddingdresser.net
Bride’s Hair & Makeup Hair: Hair by Juan José, hairbyjuanjose.com; Makeup: Bridal by Aga, bridalbyaga.com
Groom’s Tux Knot Standard, knotstandard.com Bridesmaids’ Dresses Jenny Yoo, jennyyoo.com
Florals & Decor Erin McDonald Co., erinmcdonaldco.com
Invitations Clementine Ink + Paper, clementineink.com
Lighting FROST, frostchicago.com
Rentals Bowery & Bash, boweryandbash.com; Nüage Designs, nuagedesigns.com; Tabelscapes, tablescapes.com
Linens Windy City Linen, windycitylinen.com
Entertainment Ron Bedal Orchestra, ronbedalorchestra.com; Opal Staples Orchestra, opalstaplesorchestra.com; Performers: Zzazz Productions, zzazzproductions.com; Afterparty: DJ Akib, Gold Coast Events, goldcoasteventschicago.com
Transportation V.I.P. Valet Services, vipvaletservices.com
Content Creator Angela Desveaux, instagram.com/angedesveaux
Videographer Poetic Productions, poeticweddings.com
Photography by: Averyhouse
