Angelina & Neil’s Tuscan inspired wedding was a vibrant vision of love.
Angelina knew the MONTGOMERY gown was going to be her wedding dress before she was even engaged! Of her MONTGOMERY gown, Angelina said: “I knew I wanted to wear the MONTGOMERY gown and overskirt by Tara Lauren from the moment I spotted the dress, which was a whole year prior to even being engaged! I remember browsing designers with my friend when she was looking for her wedding dress (she actually ended up choosing the Tara Lauren’s FARROW gown from the 2018 Collection). When the time came for me to start looking for my wedding dress, I️ went to the same boutique where she had bought hers and tried on about 10 other dresses but none compared to the way I felt in the MONTGOMERY gown. I took the dress and overskirt home that day and shocked Neil when I came back and said I had already found the one!”
Names: Angelina & Neil
Wedding Date: 04/10/21
Guest Numbers: 55
Wedding Location: Galleria Marchetti, Chicago IL
Photographer: Colette Marie Photography
Tell Us Your Love Story
How did you meet?
Our love story began in 2016 shortly after the New Year. Neil had just gotten back from a trip with some friends, and we met up at a karaoke bar in downtown Chicago. We had met a few times previously since we had mutual friends, but this time was different. We chatted all night about our love of food, sports, and travel, and we spent the next few years exploring new countries togethers.
How did he put a ring on it?
Neil and I️ have shared a lot of adventures in our years together, and my favorite adventure to date was in Fall, 2019. We planned a trip to Paris and Italy together, and while we were hiking “The Path of Gods” in Positano, Neil surprised me by getting down on one knee! I was completely overjoyed, and we celebrated our engagement over fresh pasta and wine at a quaint restaurant overlooking the Amalfi Coast.
Where did you draw inspiration from?
For our wedding, we wanted to reminisce on our love for Tuscany and alfresco dining. We originally planned to get married on a private estate near Santa Barbara, CA where Neil’s grandmother lived, but with COVID and most of our guests traveling from Chicago, we decided to change our plans in late January, still keeping as much of our original vision as possible.
What made the wedding personal to you?
Making our wedding day personal to us was something we both agreed on right away. We had been to tons of weddings for friends and family over the past few years together, and knew we wanted to add a lot of personal touches to our day, from my family’s company providing the invitation suite and printed items, to having our pup Kona on the beverage napkins. Throughout our entire relationship, it has always been the little things that bring us the most joy, and I think we really showed that through all of the details on our day.
What were you most nervous or excited about?
I would say we were most nervous in the last few weeks leading up to the wedding. With the COVID restrictions constantly changing in the city of Chicago, we had to un-invite about 100 guests from our original list, and were only able to invite 50 of our friends and family. Even though it truly meant the world to us to have those people attend, we did not want anyone to feel nervous about COVID on the day, so we provided hand sanitizer and face masks, and had signage around the venue for social distancing guidelines. We figured if our guests weren’t comfortable, then they could always join via live-stream, which worked out surprisingly well thanks to our video team!
Now, the most important part – the Dress!
Tell us about your dress?
I knew I wanted to wear the MONTGOMERY gown and overskirt by Tara Lauren from the moment I spotted the dress, which was a whole year prior to even being engaged! I remember browsing designers with my friend when she was looking for her wedding dress (she actually ended up choosing the Tara Lauren’s FARROW gown from the 2018 Collection). When the time came for me to start looking for my wedding dress, I️ went to the same boutique where she had bought hers and tried on about 10 other dresses but none compared to the way I felt in the MONTGOMERY gown. I took the dress and overskirt home that day and shocked Neil when I came back and said I had already found the one!
What stockist did you get it from?
What was your most memorable moment from your day?
Since Neil and I knew we wanted to save our first look for when I walked down the aisle, I think having that first look moment with my Dad truly was everything I imagined and more. My Dad and I are super close, and I was already very emotional that morning with the pure anticipation of the day, that when we arrived at the venue and he turned to see his little girl on her wedding day, we both just couldn’t hold back the tears.
Vendors to credit:
// Photography Colette Marie Photography // Florals Anemone Chicago // Wedding Coordinator We Do Weddings Chi // Venue Galleria Marchetti // Bridal Boutique Bella Bleu Bridal // Videography LEAP Weddings // Hair Taylormade Salon // Makeup Alyssa Lynn Makeup // Band Blue Water Kings Band //