* Amanda, Yoga Teacher & Tim, Client Service Manager at a Software Company * Photographer: Christy Tyler Photography * Soundtrack for reading: “All I Want Is You” by Barry Louis Polisar *
One sentence sum up of the wedding vibe: Our nearest and dearest came to witness our marriage, and stayed for the best party we’ll ever throw.
The Info—Photographer: Christy Tyler Photography/ Venue: Joffrey Ballet Studios / Day-of Coordination: Crafty Broads / Amanda’s Dress: A score from Running of the Brides at Filene’s Basement / Dress Alterations: Crafty Broads / Tim’s Suit: Jos. A. Bank / Bridesmaid Dresses: Amsale / Groomsmen’s Suits: Jos. A. Bank / Flowers: Flowers were ordered in bulk from Fifty Flowers and put together by Amanda, her mom, and bridal party members Stephanie, Lee, and Nasim—who took off an extra day from work and even flew in early to help!
Other cool stuff we should know about: Having a “traditional” wedding (with a band) was really important to Tim, but wasn’t my ideal. So, we found ways to have our more traditional wedding match our less traditional values. Having our wedding at the Joffrey studios allowed us to get married in downtown Chicago and give some money to an arts organization that we’re happy to support. We were married by my Dharma Teacher, Bopkyong, in Buddhist-based ceremony revolving around an exchange of flowers that symbolizes a promise to be one another’s spiritual companions for this life and future lives (I loved that instead of traditional titles we were introduced at the end of the ceremony as “equal partners in love and life”). It was important to me to have amazing food that was vegetarian—we went with mild Indian food and tried to make it really accessible to people who weren’t familiar, but we were nervous about how people would react. Turns out, people loved it! We served home brewed beer made by Tim and my brother, Clark. Add in our dog, Mr. Bear, as ring bearer, an amazing band, and a Groupon we got for a photo booth, and we had a great party that felt like a reflection of who we are.
Favorite thing about the wedding: Our first dance, when we bounced around to “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by the Proclaimers, was my favorite part of the party, but having a celebration with each other and so many friends and family was by far the best part of the entire wedding process.
