Anne-Marie and Markel met serendipitously on a fateful day in spring three years ago. There was an instant connection, but it wasn’t until a few months later that they went on their first date to a restaurant in Lincoln Park, Chicago. The relationship was serious from the start with Anne-Marie and Markel hitting all the Chicago favorites like a picnic in the park, The Museum of Science and Industry, a jazz bar and more in just their first few dates. They bonded over their shared love of film, books, adventure, travel and their unique family backgrounds. Markel’s mother is from Louisiana and his father from Zimbabwe.

Markel surprised Anne-Marie by proposing on her birthday. After going ring shopping and landing on a three stone pear shaped diamond, he got down on one knee on the eve of her birthday after renting out a private deck at a riverfront restaurant. It was the easiest yes for Anne-Marie as they had known they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together for a long time.

In the whirlwind of the proposal and with exactly a year to plan their wedding. Anne-Marie and Markel got right to work figuring out their wedding vision. With Chicago being a city with exceptional, world-renowned museums, they knew that choosing a museum would be a unique and special location for their wedding. After touring several of the local museums. Anne-Marie and Markel settled on the Adler Planetarium. Rare is it that such a location has the views of the Chicago skyline combined with the traditional architecture and gorgeous light-filled solarium that would perfect their wedding vision. With most guests flying in from all over the world, they wanted to make it an occasion to remember. The ceremony was a family affair. With all their direct family walking down the aisle or performing readings. Ann-Marie’s three nieces and nephew were flower girls and the ring bearer. Anne-Marie’s father was honored to officiate the wedding. Both wanted to incorporate their backgrounds into the ceremony, as a result the ceremony consisted of a West African tradition, an Irish blessing and of course jumping the broom!

Being a fashion and lifestyle blogger, Anne-Marie wanted a fashion-forward wedding. After finding her classic Martina Liana dress at historic Chicago bridal shop Mira Couture, she added the custom-made puff sleeves as a twist on the more traditional gown. At the reception she changed into her second look by bridal favorite Danielle Frankel. As for her bridesmaid dresses, Anne-Marie wanted something neutral but classy to complement her ivory dress. The bridesmaid champagne dresses combined with the pop of color from the burgundy, white and pink floral. Their wedding came together in a beautiful July day in Chicago, they could not have asked for a better day.

Congratulations you two and enjoy this sneak peek!

xo, Bonphotage

Photography: Bonphotage @bonphotage

Planner: Wedding Day Chicago - @weddingdaychicago

Venue: Adler Planetarium

Floral: Poppy Studio @studio_poppy

Bridal Hair: Gina Demaret - @or_i_gina_l

Wedding nails: Anh Nguyen - nailedbyann_chicago

Bridal Second look: @daniellefrankelstudio

Bridal shoes: Jimmy Choo - @JimmyChoo

Invitations: Halo Design Shop - @halodesignsshop

Groom Attire Oliver Wicks - @oliverwicks

Groom shoes: Hawes and Curtis - @hawesandcurtisglobal

Groomsmen attire: The Black Tux - @theblacktux

Dress designer: Martina Liana - @martinalianabridal

Bridal shop: Mira Couture - @mira_couture

Bridal suite (getting ready location) @PendryHotel

Transportation: Windy City Limousine - @windycitylimousine