The bride paired her Vera Wang Haute gown with a deeply meaningful accessory, her late mother’s blue topaz and diamond David Yurman earrings.
THE COUPLE Donna Quinlan and Alan Felix met at The University of Chicago—both earned their MBAs at Booth—and knew the stunning campus would serve as the perfect wedding venue. Obsessed with the school’s famous ivy, they chose greenery-draped Hutchison Courtyard for their garden-inspired ceremony; the reception was in Hutchinson Commons, a room reminiscent of Hogwarts’ Great Hall.
THE DETAILS “We collaborated with Sarah Drake Design to create a custom toile pattern that included handpainted details of many of our favorite items and pastimes: our dog, a dock, our wedding venue, Aperol spritzes, a giraffe,” Donna shares. “The pattern set the tone for the event, beginning with our save-thedates and envelope liners, and made appearances in fun day-of surprises like scrunchies in the restroom gift basket.”
THE PARTY After dinner at a trio of extralong king’s tables—inspired, of course, by Hogwarts—their 180 guests hit the green dance floor. “Halfway through the night, we brought out a gospel choir to sing hits like Kygo’s ‘Higher Love’ and ‘September,’ Donna says. “No one expected it. Highly recommend.”
“Aperol spritzes with custom stirrers bearing the name ‘Felix Spritz’ were in nearly everyone’s hands,” Donna says.
THE LIST
Wedding Planner Carolyn Flueckiger for LK Events, lkeventschicago.com
Bride’s Gowns Ceremony: Vera Wang Haute, verawang. com; Reception: Zimmermann, zimmermann.com
Bride’s Hair & Makeup Hair: Erin Graham Hair, eringrahamhair. com; Makeup: Shannon O’Brien, shannonobrienmua.com Groom’s Tux custom, Canali, us.canali.com
Florals & Decor Erin Victoria Design Collective, evdesigncollective.com
Invitations Sarah Drake Design, sarahdrakedesign.com
Calligraphy The Left Handed Calligrapher, thelefthandedcalligrapher.com
strong textCatering Entertaining Company, entertainingcompany.com
strong textLinens BBJ La Tavola, bbjlatavola.com
strong textCake Vanille, vanillepatisserie.com
Rentals Bowery & Bash, boweryandbash.com; The Festive Frog, thefestivefrog.com; Nüage Designs, nuagedesigns.com; Tablescapes, tablescapes.com
Entertainment BeatMix Music Band: BKO, beatmixmusic.com
Photo Booth Snapbooth, snapboothchicago.com
Transportation Second City Trolley, secondcitytrolley. com; Windy City Limousine, windycitylimos.com
Videographer Charlie Hilbrant, charliehilbrantfilms.com
Photography by: Emilia Jane
