Sometimes the best wedding day memories come from an unexpected twist. This was the case for Lisa and Joe, who had been eagerly anticipating their large 400 person wedding with a 22 person bridal party. Just a few months before the big day, the Coronavirus pandemic hit – forcing them to pivot and change plans in favor of an intimate St. Peter and Paul Naperville wedding with a backyard reception. And while the day wasn’t what they had originally envisioned for their wedding – it turned out to be a beautiful day filled with an abundance of love and joy (with stunning pictures to boot!).
Lisa and Joe met when a Bumble date at Hubbard Inn turned into a four and a half year relationship. After a surprise proposal in Savannah on Martin Luther King weekend in 2019, Lisa, Joe, and both of their big Italian families got to work planning a large celebration for the following year. When faced with the prospect of having to change plans due to COVID-19, Lisa found resolution through an unexpected sign. “I have always been obsessed with my Great Grandma Grace” she mused, “she came from Sicily at the age of 14…was a great cook, and loved to sew like me”. Despite how much she revered her great Grandma, Lisa didn’t know that the date of her wedding was June 20th as well – she knew that moving forward with a small wedding on that same date, was the perfect way to pay homage to her.
The day began with the couple getting ready in separate suites with their closest friends at the Hyatt Regency in Lisle. They exchanged notes and meaningful gifts before the ceremony, to mark the sentiment of such a special moment. After the first look with her Dad, Lisa stepped into a vintage car and headed to her wedding at the St. Peter and Paul Church in Naperville, where Joe was eagerly awaiting to see his bride walk down the aisle. It was a beautiful ceremony, with 40 of their closest guests. What they didn’t expect, was that upon exiting the church, they were surprised by 50 friends and families in cars who had parked outside of the church in order to send well wishes to Lisa and Joe. Post-ceremony, the couple hopped back into the vintage car for photos by the Naperville Riverwalk, and eventually Lisa and Joe’s house – where a small, backyard reception that featured lush arrangements of cream, blue and gold hues awaited them.
While it wasn’t the wedding they had initially planned on, the love that Lisa and Joe have for each other makes me confident that they can handle anything that comes to them in their marriage. I wish them lifelong happiness, and look forward to their large reception to celebrate with all of their friends and family next year!
