The newlyweds posed for a portrait on the steps of the Chicago History Museum. Photographed by Studio This Is
MANDY LANEVE and Christian Ficara’s love story, filled with Billy Joel concerts at Wrigley Field, international adventures and countless memories made in their now-home base of New York City, began in a Chicago pub. Five years later, Christian proposed during a Billy Joel concert at Madison Square Garden. That night ended in true fairy-tale fashion: The ecstatic couple headed home hand in hand as rain poured down.
Their wedding was postponed almost a year due to COVID-19, but on October 15, 2021—Mandy’s parents’ wedding anniversary—the big day finally arrived. “We wrote letters to each other that we shared during our first look,” Mandy says. “We wrote [them] in a leather-bound notebook so we can always come back to them. … We continue to write letters or cute notes to each other in the same notebook on special occasions.” When Mandy stepped into the aisle, Christian broke down. “I couldn’t believe that I was the lucky man waiting for her at the altar,” he says.
At the Chicago History Museum reception, romance oozed throughout the space. An elegant cascade of florals and greenery surrounded the sweetheart table. Lush centerpieces featured delicate roses, while foliage with deep-emerald hues created an immersive experience. “I was so ingrained in designing the details and bringing my vision to life; it truly was a labor of love,” Mandy says, looking back. “And our day went perfectly as planned.”
The bride custom designed all of the invites and paper goods with designer Tatiana Soash with a goal of making them “timeless and personal,” Mandy says. Photographed by Studio This Is
Bridesmaids carried bouquets of blush quicksand roses. Photographed by Studio This Is
Underneath the elegant exterior was chocolate cake with chocolate ganache. Photographed by Studio This Is
Mandy wore shoes by René Caovilla. Photographed by Studio This Is
Florals played up their moody, lavish and romantic theme. Photographed by Studio This Is
The centerpieces featured quicksand, cappuccino and black baccara roses, and plum and deep-purple ranunculus. Photographed by Studio This Is
Tatiano Soash hand-lettered the couple’s names for decor elements including custom toppers for their signature cocktails. Photographed by Studio This Is
The newlyweds hit the dance floor. Photographed by Studio This Is
Quicksand and cappuccino roses and white phalaenopsis orchids made up the bride’s bouquet. Photographed by Studio This Is
Mandy changed into a Pronovias party dress before the father-daughter dance. Photographed by Studio This Is
The List
Venue Ceremony: Holy Name Cathedral, holynamecathedral.org; Reception: Chicago History Museum, chicagohistory.org
Wedding Planner Claire Weller, Big City Bride, bigcitybride.com
Bride’s Gown Ceremony: Netta BenShabu; Reception: Pronovias; Both: Wedding Atelier, New York City, weddingatelier.com
Bride’s Shoes René Caovilla, Bergdorf Goodman, bergdorfgoodman.com
Bride’s Hair & Makeup Luke Henderson, instagram.com/lukehendersonw1
Groom’s Tux & Shoes Tom Ford, tomford.com
Rings Lauren B, laurenbjewelry.com
Bridesmaids’ Dresses BHLDN, bhldn.com
Bridesmaids’ Hair & Makeup Hair: Sara Johnson, Thomas West Salon, thomaswestsalon.com; Makeup: Jose Deleon, instagram.com/jdeleonmakeup
Groomsmen’s Tuxes The Black Tux, theblacktux.com
Florals Life in Bloom, lifeinbloomchicago.com
Catering Limelight, limelightcatering.com
Cake ECBG Cake Studio, ecbgstudio.com
Invitations Tatiana Soash, tatianasoash.com
Linens BBJ La Tavola, bbjlatavola.com
Entertainment Standing Room Only Orchestra, onthedancefloor.com
Lighting Remarkable Events, instagram.com/rmarkable_events
Accommodations Thompson Chicago, thompsonhotels.com
Videographer West Lake Natives, westlakenatives.com
Photographer Studio This Is, studiothisis.com
Photography by: Photographed by Studio This Is
