LIZA SOLBERG AND MIKE RITTER were introduced by mutual friends at a West Loop bar in 2018, but their connection, coincidentally, went way back. “Mike’s parents were regulars at my mom’s spin studio in Winnetka for nearly 20 years,” Liza says. “We knew each other’s parents but had never met. I even wore his sister’s dress to prom!”
Mike proposed in 2019 and they began the process of planning—and replanning—a wedding. “We were supposed to get married in June 2020 but ended up moving our wedding to September 2020, and finally to September 2021,” Liza says. “We decided to get married in September 2020 in my parents’ backyard.” A year later, they finally celebrated with the wedding of their dreams: a 250-person affair at Shoreacres, including a vow renewal on the bluff overlooking Lake Michigan.
“We spent a lot of time working on how to make our minimony and wedding ceremonies different and meaningful,” Liza says. “Our minister did a wonderful job of incorporating what we learned in our first year of marriage and how special it was to renew our vows to one another in front of so many people we loved.”
The elegant party was full of special moments, like a choreographed dance routine performed by the bride and her dad, and the newlyweds hitting the stage to close down the reception with a rendition of “Mr. Brightside.” And after waiting so long to celebrate, one day just didn’t feel like enough. The next morning, Liza’s family hosted an Oktoberfest-themed brunch to keep the joy going.
The wedding party paired their Amsale gowns with nude heels gifted by the bride. Photographed by Averyhouse
Flower girls wore special occasion dresses by Susanne Lively and carried mini bouquets on a string.
Liza wore her hair in a chic chignon.
The bride had a hand in designing the wedding paper materials.
Place settings featured whitewashed wood charger plates.
Clear mirage chairs disappeared into the setting.
The newlyweds cut into a rose-shaped red velvet cake.
Ruscus, ivy and wild smilax climbed up tent poles in the reception space, and centerpieces featured white hydrangeas, tulips, roses and lavender freesia. Eggshell mosaic linens covered round tables.
The List
Venue & Catering Shoreacres, shoreacres1916.com
Wedding Planner Jaclyn Duffield, JDetailed Events, jdetailedevents.com
Bride’s Gowns Monique Lhuillier, Ultimate Bride, ultimatebride.com; Reception: Self-Portrait, us.self-portrait.com
Bride’s Shoes Porte & Paire, Net- A-Porter, net-a-porter.com
Bride’s Jewelry Earrings: Alexis Bittar, alexisbittar.com
Bride’s Hair & Makeup Hair: Renee Feldman Studio, reneefeldman.com; Makeup: Kelly La Banco, kellylabanco.com
Groom’s Tux Dinner Jacket: Ralph Lauren, ralphlauren.com; Shirt: Hugo Boss, hugoboss.com; Pants: Suitsupply, suitsupply.com
Groom’s Shoes Del Toro, deltoroshoes.com
Rings Reuven Gitter Jewelers, reuvengitter.com
Bridesmaids’ Dresses Amsale, BHLDN, bhldn.com
Groomsmen’s Tuxes Formally Modern Tuxedo, formallymodern.com
Florals Erin McDonald, erinmcdonaldco.com
Invitations & Escort Cards Yellow Bird, yellowbirdstore.com
Programs Design: Eric Cervantes, jeicervantes.wixsite.com/ericcervantes; Printing: Mi-Te Printing, miteprint.com
Linens BBJ La Tavola, bbjlatavola.com
Tent Blue Peak, bluepeaktents.com
Bars Bowery & Bash, boweryandbash.com
Entertainment Ceremony: Artistrings, Sarlas Music, artistrings.com; Reception: Greenlight, Rendezvous Music, rendezvousmusic.net
Dance Lessons Amelia Sargent, dancepantss.com
Transportation V.I.P. Valet Services, vipvaletservices.com
Videographer Charlie Hilbrant, charliehilbrantfilms.com
Photographer Averyhouse, averyhouse.net
Photography by: Averyhouse
