Plans change, but some things are meant to be.
Casey and Amanda had everything planned for their “simple but elegant” wedding at the W Lakeshore, complete with “gold and white décor with greenery.” With many of their guests coming from out of town, especially Casey’s hometown of Philly, the pair were excited to showcase the Windy City to the visitors. That meant a true Chicago-style wedding, and the W’s 33rd floor – overlooking magnificent Lake Michigan – seemed like a perfect fit.
As guest restrictions and other COVID-19 guidelines were put in place, Casey and Amanda were forced to adjust.
But with plans changing, were they able to have their dream wedding after all?
Instead of drastically altering what they’d envisioned for the W, the brides-to-be opted for a whole new venue: The Publishing House, a gem they first stumbled upon during their West Loop wedding walk. As an added bonus, the shift also gave them the chance to invite S Joel Norman – who Casey raves is “the best pianist ever!” – to play at the wedding. The two initially loved the space and musician, but just couldn’t find a way to incorporate them into the original plans.
Miraculously, The Publishing House had their date available, and their caring vendors worked hard to make the day special for them. In the end, despite the unknowns COVID brought into the planning experience, Casey and Amanda had the fairytale wedding they wanted – as Casey describes it, “a celebration with our nearest and dearest friends and family surrounded by beautiful food, music, florals that we had dreamed up.”
And the best part? –They each got to marry the woman of her dreams. Hey, some things are just meant to be.
When asked about Casey’s experience with Bella Bleu Bridal, she didn’t hold back: it was “honestly one of the most impressive customer service experiences I have had, I still talk about it. I was amazed that you were so patient and really put me at ease despite being stressed about how I was supposed to find a dress during quarantine. You went above and beyond bringing dresses to my doorstep, answering questions via text as I tried on and just putting me at ease. Aside from that, the dress was my DREAM gown. Simple, classic, stunning”.
Dress: @bellableubridal, @madewithlovebridal
Photography: Meg Adamik @megadamikcreative
