THE COUPLE College sweethearts Eleanor English and Eddie Tarpey were introduced by mutual friends at Kansas State University. Over Christmas 2019, the couple took a vacation with friends and family. “The first morning of the trip, Eddie proposed while we looked at our view of the bay on St. Thomas,” Eleanor recalls. “We spent the rest of the week celebrating our engagement while sailing throughout the Virgin Islands.”
THE DETAILS For their November wedding, the couple pulled fall colors into the palette: Taupe, beige, ivory and emerald showed up in linens and greenery, with mauve accents in the cake and flowers. The Rookery’s grand staircase served as backdrop for both ceremony and reception, covered in lush flowers, vines and dried floral elements.
THE PARTY Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” played for the couple’s first dance—Eddie’s favorite part of the night. “We were able to pull off a couple of perfectly executed spins and a dip to end the performance,” he recalls. “More than that, it was a memorable ‘private’ moment together, even though everyone was watching us.”
Eleanor in a playful pose.
“Fall colors, as well as the gold and marble architecture of The Rookery building, led the inspiration,” Eleanor says.
Cocktails had custom stirrers.
Place settings featured emerald velvet napkins and gold chargers.
THE LIST
Wedding Planner & Florals Christine Janda Design & Events, christinejanda.com
Bride’s Gown Stephen Yearick, Dimitra’s Bridal Couture, dimitrasbridal.com
Bride’s Hair & Makeup Hair: Studio M, studiomagda.com; Makeup: Shannon O’Brien, shannonobrienmua.com
Bridesmaids’ Hair & Makeup Hair: The Bridal Beauty Team, thebridalbeautyteam.com; Makeup: Jose Deleon, instagram.com/jdeleonmakeup
Groom’s Tux Calvin Klein, Men’s Wearhouse, menswearhouse.com
Rings Hers: Nanette Best, Gem Star Fine Jewelry, gemstarfinejewelry.com;
His: Bleu Royale, James & Sons Fine Jewelers, jamesandsons.com
Bridesmaids’ Dresses Amsale, Bella Bridesmaids, bellasbridesmaids.com
Catering Jewell Events Catering, georgejewell.com
Cake ECBG Cake Studio, ecbgstudio.com
Invitations LBrown Design & Paperie, lbrowndesignpaperie.com
Draping Art of Imagination, artofimagination.com
Entertainment Ceremony: BeatMix Music Strings, beatmixmusic.com;
Reception: DJ Matt Roan, djmattroan.com
Accommodations JW Marriott Chicago, marriott.com
Transportation Windy City Limousine, windycitylimos.com
Photography by: Studio This Is
