Real Wedding: Michelle & Clifford

Elle Cashin Elle Cashin | February 8, 2024 | Wedding Features,

MICHELLE HENEGHAN & CLIFFORD BANKS

May 20, 2023
The Peninsula Chicago
Photographed by Christy Tyler Photography

THE COUPLE Michelle Heneghan got more than she bargained for when she started a new job in 2016: Occupying the cubicle next to hers was Clifford Banks. Six years later, he would propose on a sunset boat cruise in Miami. “He quoted Pride and Prejudice—‘You have bewitched me body and soul’— and had my mom’s ring when he got down on one knee,” Michelle says.

THE DETAILS Michelle walked down the aisle at The Peninsula while a live singer performed Ariana Grande’s “POV.” The decor, meanwhile, was inspired by another pop singer: With a palette of light pink, purples, greenery and gold, “I was going for a Taylor Swift ‘Lover’ aesthetic,” Michelle says, “very classically romantic and clean.”

THE PARTY “The dancing was top-notch from everyone— we saw moves we had never seen from some of our guests,” Michelle laughs. They were fueled by sugar from a movie theater candy bar—think Sour Patch Kids, Mike and Ikes and Swedish Fish—and late-night popcorn. And when the newlyweds got home, Michelle wrote down every detail she could remember from the day. “Even though it’s been less than a year, I love that I have documented my immediate thoughts and memories.”

The newlyweds shared a laugh during the first look.