Cathy + Tom were meant to meet. They went to high school together for a brief moment, were at a few of the same parties in college, and even after college their paths crossed in their groups of mutual friends. But it wasn’t until late 2013 that Cathy + Tom actually got the chance to talk to each other and realize how perfect they were for each other. A meeting at Jewel, a boat ride, and a little over a year later, Tom asked Cathy to be his wife.

An who better to tell the proposal story than Cathy herself, “The date was 12/13/14- he planned this date because I am a ‘numbers’ person. So as a normal Saturday, I went to my mom’s to hang out with her. Tom is on the board for the Young Irish Fellowship and they were having a pub crawl that night. Tom told me the pub crawl was only for board members and that the President was organizing it and all the stops were a surprise until we got there. When I got home from my mom’s, Tom was dressed and ready to go… I still needed to shower!! So eventually we leave to head to Howells and Hood, the first stop on the ‘pub crawl’. It’s also ironically the place we had lunch at on Sunday after going on the boat the day after meeting. We get dropped off in front of U of C and he looks around and says ‘why don’t we go down these stairs, I think they have an entrance to the party room that we have reserved off the river walk.’ I think to myself, ‘umm I don’t think so but I’ve never been down there’ so I say okay and we head down. I get down the stairs and ask Tom to hold my purse while I put on my coat (I was so hot from rushing to get ready that I just then needed a coat in the middle of December). When I turn around with my coat on, Tom is down on one knee. He started with, “Do you know what today is?” and I answered “Saturday??” He said, “12/13/14” and from there I honestly have no idea what he said. I obviously said Yes, but if you ask Tom it took me forever and a second ask before I said it. Up until this point, I did not cry. We started walking down the river walk and Tom told me the story of getting the ring and that he took it to each of our parent’s gravesites as a symbol of getting their blessing before asking me.  That is when the tears started rolling. After composing myself, we continued to walk. We come to Sweet Water Tap and he asks if I want to stop for a drink. We walk in, and in front of me was an entire room of all of our family and close friends. Of course I cried again and then laughed and cried again. We spent the rest of the night celebrating with everyone we love!”

Cathy + Tom, thank you for sharing your story with me, and letting me tell your wedding day story through my camera lens. I hope you enjoy these memories and relive your favorite moments through all of the photos for the rest of your lives!

VENDOR CREDITS // Wedding Dress Designer: Mikaella, Crystal Bride | Bridesmaid Dress Designers: Bill Levkoff, Crystal Bride | Tuxedo Designers: Manteno Suits, Black Tie Formalwear | Hair Stylist: One Salon & Spa | Make-Up Artist: One Salon & Spa | Videographer: ojo Creative | Florist: Pamela Moore, Phillip’s Florist | Cake Artist: The Baking Institute | Band: Final Say | Paper Goods Designers: Birchcraft, Black Tie Formalwear | Ceremony Venue: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel | Officiant: Monsignor Ken Velo | Reception Venue: Esplanade Lakes by the Doubletree | Trolley Company: Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Company