THE COUPLE Christy Chang and Tommy Olczyk met at a River North bar on Derby Day 2019 in a true act of fate. “Neither of us was supposed to be there that day, as we both had different plans that were canceled the morning of,” Christy says. Tommy spotted her across the bar instantly. “We made our way over to meet each other, and the rest is history!”
THE DETAILS A year to the date after Tommy proposed, they said “I do” at JW Marriott Chicago. “It was the first and only venue we toured,” Christy says. “The historic architecture of the hotel, inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright, was perfect for our aesthetic.” The groom’s younger brother, Nick, officiated a heartfelt ceremony.
THE PARTY The Grand Ballroom was draped in ivory and decked with garden-inspired greenery. After the newlyweds’ first dance to “You Make My Dreams Come True,” Christy changed into her second of three bridal looks, and the party was underway; it continued late into the evening with an afterparty, guests munching on Chicago staple Garret Popcorn. The couple recovered with “10 days in paradise,” they share: a honeymoon in Turks & Caicos.
Bridesmaids wore long black dresses with varying silhouettes.
Calligraphed escort boards hung on a boxwood backdrop.
“Decor was romantic and garden-inspired,” the bride says. “We wanted the overall ambiance to be elegant and classic.”
The vanilla cake with chocolate meringue buttercream was adorned with fresh florals.
THE LIST
Wedding Planner Jenny Bartkus, JPB Designs, jpbdesigns.com
Bride’s Gowns Ceremony: Marchesa; Reception: Dany Tabet; Both: Gilded Rose Atelier, gildedroseatelier.com; Afterparty: Nadine Merabi, nadinemerabi.com
Bride’s Hair & Makeup Hair: Michelle Vincent, George The Salon, georgethesalon.com; Makeup: Rabecca Ann, rabeccaann.com; Bridesmaids’ Hair: The Bridal Collective, thebridalcollective.org
Groom’s & Groomsmen’s Tuxes State & Liberty, stateandliberty.com
Rings Burdeen’s Jewelry, burdeens.com
Bridesmaids’ Dresses Lulus, lulus.com
Florals Mitchell’s Orland Park Florist, mitchellsfloral.com
Decor & Production Atmosphere Events Group, aegproduction.com
Cake Alliance Bakery, alliancebakery.com
Invitations Truly Engaging, trulyengaging.com
Escort Board Calligraphy by CT, calligraphybyct.com
Entertainment Ceremony: Artistrings, Sarlas Music, sarlasmusic.com/artistrings; Reception: Gordon SKL, dj-skl.com
Dance Lessons Fred Astaire Dance Studios, fredastaire.com
Photo Booth Pixster, pixsterchicago.com
Photography by: Peter Wynn Thompson
