{SBB Bride of the Week} Beatrice
B E A T R I C E
+
M I C H A E L
{May 31st, 2025}
{Photos by: JVaughn Photography}
Introducing our beautiful bride, Beatrice!
For her May wedding, Beatrice was a floral dream in her Essense of Australia organza ballgown, Ti Adoro earrings and cathedral length floral veil from Bel Aire!
It all came together so perfectly!
{Photos by: JVaughn Photography}
Beatrice wanted a bright wildflower bouquet she could keep forever!
She ordered her flowers from The Faux Bouquets and got exactly what she wanted!
They are so beautiful!
{Photos by: JVaughn Photography}
Beatrice and her soon-to-be hubby, Michael, shared a special first look before their walk down the aisle!
They were surrounded by their closest friends during their memorable moment!
{Photos by: JVaughn Photography}
Beatrice and Michael were married in a beautiful ceremony at SS Cyril & Methodius Parish in Lemont!
{Photos by: JVaughn Photography}
After the newlyweds made it official, everyone made their way to Cog Hill Golf and Country Club in Palos Park to celebrate!
{Photos by: JVaughn Photography}
How did Beatrice and Michael first meet?
“We swiped right on Tinder back in 2015! Sometimes those dating apps really do work. Funny enough, we didn't start seriously talking to each other until after I moved to South Carolina for grad school over a year later! By spring 2017, we were official and in a long distance relationship.”
Thank you, Tinder!
How did Michael pop the question?
“Michael and I had moved out to the suburbs and decided to spend a weekend in the city to see a band we like perform at the Salt Shed as well as celebrate our 7 year anniversary. We booked a room at the Robey Hotel. The first night of our stay we went up to the Robey's rooftop bar and stepped out onto the balcony on a chilly, windy March evening to look at the skyline. I was freezing, but the views were great! Next thing I know, Michael got down on one knee. Surprisingly, there was no one else on the balcony when Michael proposed -- except for a Peregrine falcon and her babies hanging out by their nest!”
Was it a surprise or did Beatrice know it was coming?
“50/50! I thought the anniversary weekend would be a good chance for it, but I was actually surprised because when I asked Michael what the plan was for tonight he said there wasn't one. I fell for his bluff, which actually led me to feeling annoyed at first, haha! It all worked out perfectly in the end.”
Next step: find her dream dress!
“Something Blue Bridal was the first bridal salon I visited, and I knew pretty quickly that it was where I would find my dress. From the beginning of the dress buying experience to the end, my stylist Jamie and all the women working at SBB were so friendly and helpful. The entire vibe is fun! I loved being able to pick out a bunch of dresses with my mom and then also seeing what Jamie selected on her own. I went in with a relatively open mind and tried on a lot of different styles before zeroing in on a clean and classic look. SBB has so many designs and styles to choose from - you are bound to find the one for you! I also went back to SBB for their accessory trunk show and WOW! It was like the veil and earrings I found were meant just for me. My veil was a beautiful cathedral length floral piece but the kicker? The flowers at the end of the veil were all in bright colors. A big theme for our wedding was floral details and this fit the bill! It's been several months since our wedding and I am still receiving compliments on my dress and veil from SBB.”
How did Beatrice know her dress was "the one"?
“When I initially booked my appointment, I said I was interested in lots of lace and appliques. As the date approached, I found myself being more drawn to a clean and classic look - like a vintage Hollywood glamour gown. Jamie, my mom and I selected all types of gowns to try on: A-line, mermaid, ball gown, lace and appliques, sleeves, straps, clean and classic, etc... We tried everything and it was so much fun! But my mind and my heart kept going back to one gown - which I believe Jamie actually picked out for me based on my reactions to some of the samples I tried. This dress was a beautiful cathedral length A-Line with stunning ruching and boning in the bodice and pretty buttons down the back (and POCKETS!). Best of all, it was super lightweight organza material which I knew would allow me to dance all night long. I felt like a movie star, or even royalty, in this gown. It didn't need extra details or lace work - the stunning silhouette and statement train spoke for itself. I left my appointment intending to "sleep on it," but I knew that was the dress. I was quick to schedule my follow up to try that dress on one more time and say "YES!" to the dress!”
When it came to wedding planning, what was her favorite {& least favorite} part of the process?
“My favorite part of the planning process was making the wedding day playlist with my husband, including picking our first dance song. I knew I wanted a live band, and we had an 8 piece group! My husband and I are really big music people, and this was an amazing and fun way to express not just our love for each other but have fun with our wild music taste and share it with our guests. It was so much fun picking songs together and hearing them live. Our first dance song was "Beyond the Sea" by Bobby Darin, the last dance song was "You Are the Best Thing" by Ray LaMontagne and our exit song was "Hollywood Nights" by Bob Seger. My other favorite thing about the planning process was going through it all with my mom as my "wedding coordinator," I could not have planned such a magical event without her.
My least favorite part was the crunch during the last 1-2 months of planning during which you need to figure out every. little. detail. Big details? Easy! Little details - you can get lost in them and once you finalize one small detail that opens the door to five more. Alas, details are what make a wedding beautiful and stand out, and they are a great way to put your unique stamp on the day as a couple. I was very happy with our small details when the big day arrived -- the hard work was well worth it! One of my favorite little details was our mallard duck cake toppers!”
Does she have a favorite wedding day memory?
“Oh my gosh, so many to choose from. I think for me it was having all the people we love and care about and who have supported us as a couple in one place. To see everyone having a fun time at our big celebration made us so happy. I loved being out on the dance floor all night with my husband and our friends and family. It really was one big party, and it looked like everyone had a wonderful time. If I had to pick a specific moment, it was probably dancing to "You Are the Best Thing" (our last dance) with my husband, which was the song playing when I first thought to myself "I think I love this guy" way back in 2017.”
What is the best piece of advice Beatrice can give brides-to-be who are currently planning their own big day?
“Think of your three "must-haves" for the big day. Everything else is negotiable. Once we identified our must-haves, planning felt a little less intimidating. My number one must have was a live band! Also, lean on your support system. Planning a wedding is fun but it is also really stressful for many reasons, and it can feel overwhelming. Michael, my bridesmaids and my mom helped me so much when my brain felt fried from all the planning. It's you and your fiance's big day, but you don't have to carry it all on your own shoulders! Reach out for help or just to vent, and don't forget to breathe. Everything will work out, even if it is not exactly in the way you planned. One last piece of (practical) advice... do not sleep on flower rentals!! Renting your flower suite is a great alternative to fresh florals which just get tossed after the big day. Renting your flowers is environmentally sustainable and super budget friendly! Guests had no idea my flowers were fake!”
Congratulations, Beatrice & Michael!!
Check out more of their beautiful wedding photos by JVaughn Photography in the gallery below!
