The Westin Ohare Wedding Photos with Julie and Aijo

Below is the story of  Julie and Aijo: 

The Proposal

 Aijo spent a whole day surprising me by flying into Jersey for my birthday and pretending to be a hitchhiker on the road so I would stop for him. From there, he took me on a helicopter ride and after that a winery for a tasting. After the tasting, he suggested we do a tour of the vineyard, they dropped us off for “privacy” at the back of the vineyard where Aijo had set up a table with some gifts. He made a book of our memories and we slow danced and then he popped the question! When we headed back to the winery, our families and friends were there to surprise us to celebrate. We then went back to my house where even more loved ones were waiting and we celebrated the rest of the night together. 

The engagement session was done at Chicago Botanical Garden a few months ago and the photos can be seen here.

The Wedding Day

Julie got ready at The Westin  O’hare and Aijo at his parents’ house. Since we were at The Westing O’hare, we wanted to make sure we took advantage of the big windows.

The Westing O'hare window-relfection mother-helping-bride earrings bracellets big windows portrait

In the same time, Aijo was with his parents and his friends getting ready in Morton Grove.

Aijo the groom. Aijo and his father. Aijo and his brother. Aijo getting ready.

The Ceremony

The classic weddings are something very rare at this time and especially a formal wedding inside of a church. But it just feels so pure and cinematic. I love the pews, the pulpit, the architecture, and incredible art. Julie and Aijo’s wedding took place at St. Ita Catholic Church in Chicago, which is a Roman Catholic church in the Edgewater neighborhood of Chicago. St Ita was designed by Henry J. Schlacks in the Neo-Gothic style and completed in 1927.

manthragodi (sari) the ring bearer the flower girl first look in church bride walking down the aisle

After the homily, the priest announced that they will do the marriage ceremony. He first blesses the rings, thaali (locket), and manthragodi (sari), and rosaries.

Once the mass was complete the couple went to Mary and offers a bouquet to ask for blessings for the bride to be a good mother and for the couple to have a good family life.

 beautiful view from behind praying ring ceremony necklase The groom then puts the sari over the bride’s head unity candles st. Ia interior mother blessing church weddig piano player panoramic view kissing the bride recessional bride and groom in the church

 Another unique tradition was the “NADA” shout right outside the church and then at the venue. It was spectacular to see all the guests shouting at once NADA.

indian-catholic shouting NADA

Wedding Photo Session

Next step was Dawes park in Evanston for a few bridal portraits. 

indian large indian bridal party indian wedding Aijo and Julie Dawes park wedding wedding pic Dawes park Evanston wedding photo session

Wedding Reception 

Finally, we got everybody in lime and went to the Westin O’Hare for the big party! The Party did not start until the NADA happened again at the venue entrance. This reception was a special one as DoItAll Entertainment brought the first digital dance floor I ever have seen.

dance floor grand entrance

Other few Indian traditions took place before the dances begun.

Groom’s mother gives a blessing before the couple got on stage followed by lighting the lamp, this signifies starting the event with good luck and blessings!

lighting detail laughing venue bride dancing electronic dance floor first dance artisitic wedding photo kids dancing on electronic floor another blessing The Westin Ohare Wedding Photos colorful wedding dancing like crazy funky dances guests photo

Wedding Summary: 

IT FLIES BY. Before we knew it, it was time to go to sleep. It’s an amazing feeling of relief once the traditions are done and you can have fun with your guests. 
 
We wanted to make sure our guests had a great time with plenty to eat and drink. One of the things we loved about the Westin were the awesome variety of food and liquor options. They were great about meeting our needs and advising us on what would be best for our guests. 
 
Advice for brides and grooms planning: 
Go with your gut and stick to what you and your partner want to prioritize. Throughout the process there will be plenty of opinions and suggestions, take them with a grain of salt and never let them be the deciding factor. On the big day, you’re going to want to look out and see everything that was important to you and you’re going to feel so proud of yourselves for putting together an awesome reception!
Westin-Wedding-Photo

American Dance Floor

Vendors

Wedding dress: Cinderella Bridals (Old Bridge, NJ) 
Bridesmaid sarees: Customized in India 
Shoes: DSW 
Flowers: Prestige Decor
Hair & Makeup: Kasia Wolney 
Groomsmen suits: Macy’s 
Cake: Alliance Bakery 
Dance floor: American Dance Floor 
DJ: DJ Illest from DoItAll Entertainment
Projections: AVCS 
Caricature: Greg Gold 
Videography: Martin Events 
Photography: Doru & Claudia – H Photography 

You guys are going to rock this whole being married thing. Thanks for sharing your day with us!

 

 

 

 

This Post Has 4 Comments

  1. Wedding and reception were awesome and had great time. So happy to see what the photographer captured!! Thanks for sharing Julie and Aijo!!

  2. Wonderful wedding and awesome photos!! Well done. Congratulations again! Thanks for sharing.

  3. Perfect wedding photos at Westin Ohare!

  4. Julie and Aijo have amazing photos at The Westin Ohare. Keep up the good work!

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