As promised, I’m really excited to share the final details of our wedding with you!
So many people told me that my wedding day would go by SO quickly — and it truly did. It was almost like a dream — a little hazy and blurry, but with pops of vivid memories and incredible moments sneaking in that make me smile every time I think of them. Mostly, I’m SO glad that we had a photographer and videographer there to capture all the moments I didn’t see. They brought the day back to life for us and we’re so grateful to keep these in our home and hearts forever.
Don’t worry, I will also share the wedding video with you! Coming soon.
In the meantime, let’s talk about all the details!
COCKTAIL HOUR:
I’m not going to lie — the food at our reception was one of the most important things for me. Personally, I think memories are created around the senses — flavorful spicy hispanic food, incredible aromas drifting as plates are passed around along with good conversation and of course, beautiful presentation.
We had a 45 minute cocktail hour pre-reception with incredible bites from Fig Catering, who catered our entire wedding. There were spicy margaritas, mini empanadas with avocado crema, bacon-wrapped plantains and coconut milk halibut ceviche on jicama chips. EVERYTHING WAS SO GOOD.
Other details
We had a beautiful memory table for everyone that had passed (including my Dad). It was a special tribute to our loved ones.
There was also a unique polaroid guestbook that Tony’s Dad made. We got the polaroid and had people take photos and write their names on the bottom. It was really fun to have those images after and see what people did and the poses they made.
Table Decor
Our table decor was one for the books. I hired Katelyn Gambler to do design menus, Splendor or Eden for my flowers and Fig Catering provided vintage plates and glasses.
Here comes the bride and groom + cake cutting
We did a fun little entrance dance to Kid Cudi’s Pursuit of Happiness before we cut our cake.
Our cake was from Fig Catering and was incredibly beautiful and simple. Because we opted to do a donut wall, we just wanted a small cake for the head table. I chose to have the pastry chef make a hummingbird cake with cream cheese frosting and a salted caramel drip.
We only got to have a couple of bites, but damn it was gooooood.
The Food
Okay it’s time we talk about the food! Fig Catering did such an unbelievable job with the food. We did a customized menu and were happy with EVERY single detail.
Passed Hors d’Oeuvres:
Coconut Milk Halibut Ceviche on a jicama chip
Bacon Wrapped Plantain
Mini Picadillo Empanadas with avocado crema
Dinner:
Spinach Salad with jicama, pears, dried cherries & pink peppercorn ranch
Fluffy Saffron Rice with gandules
Puerto Rican-style Stewed Beans with sofrito and potatoes
Roasted Seasonal Vegetables with herbs
Poblano-Sweet Corn-Queso Tamales with salsa verde
Ropa Vieja with tostones
Chorizo-Stuffed Chicken Thighs
and
Blue Cornbread with honey butter and whipped butter
The Donut Wall of My Dreams
We had Stan’s Donuts cater in donuts for dessert. We placed them elegantly on this BEAUTIFUL donut wall that my father-in-law made. Yep, he MADE this! How freaking cool. I told him that he should just start a website on Etsy, but I don’t think he’s convinced.
Everyone at our wedding raved about the donuts. It was a great way to mix up a dessert, and for people to go home with a delicious late night snack or treat for the next day.
I also wanted to note that I got cute donuts bags from the PaperShoppe on Etsy for people to take donuts later and the amazing cake stands are from aheirloom (they make really amazing gifts).
And because I know you are curious, here are the donut flavors I selected from Stan’s:
Lemon Pistachio Old Fashioned
Blueberry Old Fashioned
Chocolate Sprinkles Cake
Vanilla Sprinkled Glazed
Strawberry Glazed
Coconut Cake
Plain Old Fashioned
Our First Dance
Our first dance was to Mumford & Son’s live version of There Will Be Time. Every time I hear this song it brings tears to my eyes. It’s incredibly beautiful.
Dancing the night away
Let’s just say that we shut down the dance floor that night. It was INCREDIBLE.
Thanks to everyone who was apart of our wedding day. We love you!
Wedding dress: Ines Di Santo via a&be bridal
Suits: Calvin Klein
Bridesmaid dresses:Â Show Me Your MumuÂ
Photography:Â Studio 29 Photography
Videography:Â Aaron Bean Cinema
Flowers:Â Splendor of Eden
Hair: Carrie and Issac, my two hair stylist from XO Studio in Lakeview, Chicago (she’s the best!)
Makeup: Shannon O’Brien
Day of Coordinator: Erin Shanley of Bride and Joy Events
First Look location: Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago, IL
Ceremony & Reception:Â Salvage One
Stunning! Are there instructions anywhere for making this DIY donut wall? It’s perfect!
Thank you! My father in law actually made it, but I’d take a look on Pinterest for great instructions 🙂
Hi Monique! Saw your wedding thru pictures and eventually this blog as I was researching for my daughters wedding at Salvage One in September! You did an amazing job on every detail of your wedding…so beautiful! We are going to do a donut wall as well, for a late night snack…just thought I’d ask…do you still have yours and if so, would you be interested in renting it out? I know it’s special, as your father in law made it. Just thought I would reach out and ask. Thanks!
Hi Mary! Thanks for your note 🙂 so exciting that your daughter will be getting married there too! The catering company that I used, Fig Catering, actually has it. So feel free to reach out to them to inquire!
These photos are absolutely beautiful! I got married 2 years ago and it was an Indian wedding which means it lasted 4 days but that went by super fast as well. Your photos have made me so nostalgic for my own wedding x
http://www.eatwearwander.com
Thank you Divya! A 4-day wedding sounds amazing – I’m sure it was beautiful 🙂
Oh, the wedding recaps just look more and more beautiful and lively! I had major inspiration with the women wearing flower crowns, the hummingbird cake, the donut wall, the cocktail bar, and the dining table!
Thanks so much Cassie!
Such a gorgeous wedding, your colors were perfect fall loveliness! Also OMG love your 1st dance song, you have the BEST taste in music 🙂
Thanks so much Julie!! We definitely jammed out all night 🙂
Wow! what a great menu. So much more creative then the usual.
Thank you! I wanted some creative meals to share with everyone 🙂
You had me at donut wall! How dang cute is that!!!
It was so fun!!
What a wedding!!! What a party! I’m salivating all the way from Sydney as I read your menu. I must say I haven’t heard the majority of the food so I’ll Google later in anticipation! You make such a beautiful bride Monique. Thank you for sharing your special day with us. xx
Thanks for reading along all the way from Sydney!! Means the world Michelle 🙂
Beautiful tribute to your Dad and all your other loved ones that have passed. That donut wall is INSANE and I’m absolutely obsessed. Your father-in-law should totally start an Etsy account LOL!
Thanks Alyssa! I know he should – still working on it haha 🙂
Congratulations on your beautiful wedding and your new life as a wife!!! What an amazing venue and everything was perfect. Thank you for all you do. Your recipes are the best and I go to them all the time. Your dress!!! OMGosh you made that dress take on a magical quality to it. I loved the flower bands for the heads..oh I really liked that. I’ve always said that if I get married like that I wanted a band of flowers as well. Again, congratulations on your wedding and wishing you and your husband an eternity of blessings from our Dear God in heaven. Take good care of you!!
Thank you so much Joanne! It was a magical day, and I’m so glad I could share it here 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend!
Unbelievable!!!! This is my favorite post of yours EVER! And I sure do love all your food. The donut wall is epic but the pic that stole the show on here is the darkened black and white one of you guys in your seats kissing. Just stunningly magical. You two are blessed. May God bless you and keep you in His loving care all the days of your lives! You two are just adorable. Cindy xx
Thank you Cindy! So happy I could share my special day with you guys. I love that photo too 🙂 Thank you again!
Not gonna lie, I cried. I am so happy for you both. The pictures are amazing, the food HOLY SH*T omg I can’t even. Thank you for sharing!
Aww thank you Denise! You are too sweet. The food was literally holy sh*t amazing – I’ll have to re-create it for the blog soon! Have a great weekend 🙂
just stunning…all of it…..loved the donut wall….what a fun idea!!!
Thanks Judi! It was awesome for dessert – best donuts in Chicago too!
Your wedding was absolutely beautiful and looked so FUN!
Random question – would you be willing to sell the donut wall? I have a friend who is planning her wedding and she is in the market for one JUST like that. It’s a long shot but thought I would ask! 🙂
Claire – Monique actually gave us the donut wall after the wedding. We’ve used it at a couple corporate events since her wedding and it’s always a big hit! Please get in touch if you’re interested in renting it (I don’t know if we’re interested in selling, but…)