Megan & Chad's Glamorous Ritz Carlton Wedding
When Emilia Jane Photography sent Megan & Chad’s Glamorous Ritz Carlton Chicago wedding to us our jaws dropped and our hearts fluttered! This wedding is over the top and swoon worthy in every way! The couple got engaged on the beaches of California (it was such a surprise for Megan!) and returned to the city where they met to celebrate their wedding with everyone they loved. Lori from LOLA Event Productions created a dream team of wedding pro’s that made their wedding day everything they dreamed of and more!
This is a wedding you don’t want to miss! KEEP SCROLLING!
How did you meet?
“I met Chad in the summer of 2014, I had just moved back home to Chicago after completing my graduate degree at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida. I was out in the city one night with a friend from Lynn University that had also moved to Chicago and she invited her cousin to come out to join us. We hit it off, and a few days later we had our first date. From our first date on, I knew he was something special. The rest... as they say, is history.” -Bride, Megan
Tell us all about the proposal!
”I work for my step-dad’s NHRA drag racing super team and we raced Valentine’s Day weekend in Pomona, California. We decided that since our Valentine’s Day was going to be spent cheering on Don Schumacher Racing’s three 10,000 horsepower Top Fuel dragsters, and four nitro burning Funny Cars that we would take an extra day and have a belated Valentine’s Day celebration in Laguna Beach, California.
We spent our day off at lunch at The Deck in Laguna Beach, catching up with friends before heading back to the Ritz Carlton for a photo shoot we had planned with Flytographer. We had stayed at the Ritz Carlton Laguna Nigel a few months prior and fell in love with the resort. I had thought it would be a fun idea to do a photo shoot there since it had become one of our favorite places, little did I know I had a small hand in planning my own engagement.
We were down on the beach at sunset taking photos and all of a sudden Chad got down on one knee. As he was on one knee I didn’t let him get a word out before I exclaimed... “what are you doing!?!”. I was so shocked, he then told me how much he loved me and asked me to marry him. I had to ask him later what he exactly said to me because I’m pretty sure I was so shocked I blacked out during the actual proposal. LOL.
After our photo shoot, I figured we would have dinner and call our friends and family. Little did I know, there were more surprises ahead.
We walked up the hill from the beach and back to the resort. We approach a gazebo that was overlooking the ocean, saw a candlelit table for two and found out that was where our dinner would be. Chad planned every detail of the menu and each course included my favorite foods. The topper was the dessert.... a Sprinkles sundae. Anyone that knows me knows how much I love the chain Sprinkles, and their cupcakes and ice cream.
Chad had seriously thought of every single detail. During dinner, we got to FaceTime our friends and family to share the exciting news. It was a day I will never forget and I am so glad I have photos to help remember the day and to remind us of the start of this new chapter in our lives together.” -Bride, Megan
Tell us about your wedding day!
“Everything was picture perfect, Lori from LOLA made sure to do everything to make our day perfect and care free. For us, besides getting married, seeing the vision of the ceremony come to life, all of the details, and most memorably seeing the flower wall. Our favorite part was the dance party that started immediately and continued until 2am. The band was incredible and after the band our family friend, DJ Johnny Knight continued the party. Our most memorable part was hearing our maid of honor, best man, and the bride’s Dad and Step-Dad’s speeches.”
What is your advice for newly engaged couples?
“Enjoy the process and everything that comes along with it. One thing we are so thankful we did was that throughout the wedding day we both reminded ourselves to look around and soak it all up. Everyone says it but it is true, the day goes by in the blink of an eye.”
Wedding Pro’s:
Photographer: Emilia Jane Photography
Planner: Lori Stephenson, LOLA Event Productions
Venue and Caterer: The Ritz Carlton Chicago
Videographer: 312 Film
Band: Ken Arlen Evolution Orchestra
Design and Decor: HMR Designs
Hair and Makeup Artist: Sonia Roselli Weddings
Invitation Designer: HH Design House
Bride’s Dress Designer: Vera Wang
Shoes: Christian Louboutin and Jimmy Choo
Groom and Groomsmen Attire: Brioni
Bridesmaid Dresses: Aidan Mattox
Jewelry: Cartier