The bride looked chic in an Elizabeth Lee gown.
Tropical-inspired floral centerpieces with floating candles.
CARA YAFFE AND ALAN KATZ first connected through mutual friends while attending a concert— an experience that would later become one of their favorite activities to do together. A month later, and following some “flirty banter,” Cara says, they went on their first official date. Three years after that, in March 2021, Cara was surprised at RPM Seafood when “brunch with friends” turned out to be a rose petal-filled private balcony with a Champagne bucket and Alan on one knee in front of the green-dyed river.
The couple wed at The Peninsula Chicago, reciting personal vows they’d written for each other. “It was incredibly special, and gave our friends and family an inside look into what makes our relationship so strong,” the bride says. The traditional Jewish ceremony was officiated by the same rabbi who had bat mitzvah’d Cara. Their colorful chuppah set the tone for the tropical-themed reception to come. “We wanted the day to be bright and fun and feel festive and tropical—an escape from the city,” the bride says.
Guests were greeted with welcome cocktails on napkins featuring photos of the couple’s grandparents’ and parents’ weddings. “It was a beautiful way to include those who are no longer with us, and honor [our parents],” Cara says. In between dancing, attendees left audio messages for the bride and groom on a retro phone, but it was the newlyweds’ grand entrance that had the biggest impact. “It’s an indescribable feeling to be in one place with everyone you care about surrounding you and cheering you on,” Cara says. “We came in to a fun dance song, which turned into our slow dance song. It was so surreal.”
Cara and Alan beamed for a portrait together.
“Bridesmaids were simply asked to wear a bright pink dress—any style or designer they wanted,” the bride says.
The couple sourced a retro phone through After The Tone to serve as an audio guest book.
Yanni Design Studio created an epic chuppah.
As the divisional director of marketing for Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants, Cara had to have a chocolate chip cookie cake with vanilla buttercream from Beatrix.
The List
Venue & Catering The Peninsula Chicago, peninsula.com
Wedding Planner Katie Goggin, Designer Event Chicago, designereventchicago.com
Bride’s Gown Elizabeth Lee, Here Comes the Bride Bridal Boutique, herecomesthebrideinc.com
Bride’s Shoes Badgley Mischka, Neiman Marcus, neimanmarcus.com
Bride’s Hair & Makeup Hair: Shannon Foltz, instagram.com/hairshecut; Makeup: Hannah Elisabeth Beauty, hannahelisabethbeauty.com
Groom’s Tux Stitch + Heart, stitchandheart.com
Rings Reuven Gitter Jewelers, reuvengitter.com
Florals Yanni Design Studio, yannidesignstudio.com Cake Beatrix, beatrixrestaurants.com
Invitations & Signage Invitation Creations Inc., facebook.com/invitationscreationsinc; SB Designs, instagram.com/sbdesigns_bysam
Guest Book After The Tone, afterthetone.co
Entertainment The Lakeshore Encores, Gold Coast Events, goldcoasteventschicago.com
Videographer Loose Tie Productions, loosetieproductions.com
Photography by: Brittany Bekas
