Sigh. My pictures rarely seem to do justice to these beautiful events, but the story's the same again today. This past Sunday, I was thrilled to be part of a mass celebrating 50 years of marriage for couples from all over the Chicago Archdiocese. The mass was held at Holy Name Cathedral, and the celebrating couples filled the entire church! Even immediate family couldn't be accommodated in the Cathedral, so the musicians had the best (and really only) seats available in the house. It was a beautiful mass, featuring a full choir (in white shirts in the foreground of the picture), organ, harp, and violin. Ricardo Ramirez (Director of Music at the Cathedral) kept us all together as we offered Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring, Panis Angelicus, and (of course) Schubert's Ave Maria.
Well, the pictures just can't do it justice. When you're in Preston Bradley Hall at the Chicago Cultural Center, there is truly beauty all around, and that is before you start setting up for your wedding. Built in 1893, the hall features a Tiffany glass dome (backlit so you can always enjoy it), mosaics, ornate chandeliers and sconces, and a view of Millennium Park. It is dazzling. The bride descended the grand staircase to "The Prayer", and Katie from Bliss Weddings and Events kept everything moving along smoothly. The bridal couple were theater folk, so they had lots of talented people in their wedding party, and two attendants actually sang the recessional to a taped accompaniment! They used a really fun tune from the Broadway show "The Wedding Singer" and it was super cute, but it wasn't quite long enough for the entire wedding party and left a fair number of attendants still at the front of the church. No problem, because they had booked live music as well! I finished their recessional to Gershwin's "Love is Here to Stay" and things stayed smooth. Another hallmark of a well planned wedding, really, having all contingencies covered. I couldn't possibly say enough good things about Katie and the way Bliss coordinated the wedding, and their website is really fun. Happily, thanks to Chaplain Tom Brandsness, the ceremony itself was lighthearted and sweet, like the couple themselves!
Okay. So I actually do know it is September. What I am really trying to say is that the Summer just flew by, and early September was kind of lost around here due to the CPS teacher's strike and my kids still being home. Still, I participated in some really wonderful weddings this summer, saw some awesome venues, and met some vendors I am excited to tell you about, so I am going to try and catch up in the next few weeks. Here we go.....
