Sammie

+

Michal

{July 19, 2026}

{Photos by: Lilly Photography}

Introducing this weeks bride of the week, Sammie!

Doesn’t she look so amazing?!

Sammie is wearing a gorgeous fitted Essense of Australia!

{Photos by Lilly Photography}

These flowers were SOOO beautiful!

Sammie used Heathers Haus Florist in Tinley Park!

{Photos by Lilly Photography}

Sammie and Michal had their ceremony at Jens Guesthouse, in Willow Springs, IL.

{Photos by Lilly Photography}

After they said their “I Dos” they headed inside for their reception!

{Photos by Lilly Photography}

How did the newlyweds meet?

“We met working together at a restaurant in downtown Chicago called Velvet Taco in 2015. We were coworkers for about a year before we started dating in July 2016.”

How did Michal Propose?

“Michal planned a whole special day taking me to all our special stops throughout our relationship. We have been together at this point for almost 8 years. On 6/29/2024, after a particularly difficult week for me, Michal said we should go do something fun. He started off the day by taking us where it all first started, Velvet Taco to have a quick bite. Then we went to where we had our first anniversary date, Cindy's Rooftop to have lunch. We then went back to our apartment that we have been living in together for the past 7 years. This apartment is where we built our entire lives together up to this point. We have been through so much together and most of our greatest accomplishments and hardships have been experienced in this apartment. He tricked me into thinking that we were recording a video for a family member in Poland as a collage of videos. We are standing in our living room and I am having a hard time saying my part in Polish and I keep laughing, thinking nothing of it. Then all of a sudden, he turns me to him and starts his speech, it took me a second to realize what he was doing, but once I figured it out, I burst into tears. He gets down on one knee and asks me to marry him. Having it done in that apartment was so special because of what we have built together in that apartment. We were only 20 & 21 when we started dating. Watching eachother grow there and become the people we are today. Afterwards, he took me out to dinner to Gibson's Steakhouse where we went on our 7 year anniversary just the year prior. He proposed 2 weeks before our 8 year anniversary.”

Was it a surprise or did Sammie know it was coming?

“The day he planned was a complete surprise. I had anticipated getting engaged soon, considering we had been together for almost 8 years and I made a joke after our 7th anniversary that if he didn't propose to me before our 8th anniversary that I would leave him. (never in a million years would I have actually left him!) We had both agreed for the majority of our relationship that we wanted to wait as long as we could to get married. We were so young when we started dating and wanted to focus on our careers first before we took the next step.”

It was then time for Sammie to find her dress!

“This was honestly one of the happiness days of my whole wedding experience, at the top with getting engaged and my wedding day. I had my mom, Michal's mom and his 3 sisters and niece with me that day. Being with him for as long as I was at this point, his family was already my family, so having them all there was so special. The one that my mom chose that was originally on display in the window ended up being the one. The moment I put that dress on, I knew it was for me. The funny part about that dress is that when I was searching online to get an idea, it was one I totally passed up, so the fact that my mom knew right when she saw it made that so special. Something Blue is such an incredible boutique. The stylists there were so kind and really made the experience personal.”

How did Sammie know her dress was "the one"?

“When you put YOUR dress on for the first time, you don't want to take it off. You just stand there in complete awe of yourself and in shock that you can actually feel this beautiful. I know it was "the one" because you don't have a single bad thought or insecurity when you are wearing YOUR dress.”

What was Sammie’s favorite part of the planning process?

“My favorite part of the planning process was building our dream day together. Michal and I were extremely collaborative during the whole process. We would set specific dates and duties each one of us had to do and then come together over a coffee date to discuss what we thought of for the specific task. It was a really fun way to make sure both of us were involved and also gave us an excuse to have cute little dates. We also did a lot of DIY stuff for the wedding, so it was really fun sitting together and making things for our wedding. We also taught ourselves our wedding dance, so those nights practicing in our living room will always be so special.”

What was Sammie’s least favorite part of planning?

“The least favorite part was probably having to wait as long as we did to actually have our wedding. We got engaged in June of 2024 but didn't get married until 07.19.2026. This was intentional of course for 2 reasons. 1. We wanted to buy our first home. Even though that apartment was so special to us for so many reasons, the thought of starting our next chapter together and having to go back to a basement unit after the wedding was just not the vision. We bought our house in February 2025 only 8 months after getting engaged. 2. We wanted to get married on our 10 year anniversary. I think that one is pretty self explanatory. Even though the wait was long, it was still worth it because everything just fell into place.”

What was Sammie’s favorite moment of her wedding?

“This is hard because our wedding was literally the most perfect day ever, but if I had to pick one thing, it would be walking down the aisle and seeing Michal for the first time in my wedding dress. We had decided that we were not going to be a first look. I had actually left the day before and stayed at a hotel, so we literally did not see each other for almost 24 hours before I walked down the aisle. I was nowhere near as nervous as I thought I would be but seeing him finally just made whatever nerves I did have, wash away.”

What is the best piece of advice you can give brides-to-be who are currently planning their big day?

“Enjoy the wedding planning together! This is going to be such an exciting time in your life that you won't get to experience again. Listen to your future husband's opinions, it's his wedding also! Trust me, they have some good ideas. Don't overthink it and don't let it consume your mind entirely. Give yourself breaks, plan only specific days to focus on wedding stuff. It can get overwhelming, so just know when to take a step back when you need it.”
Congratulations, Sammie & Michal!
Check out more of their beautiful pictures by Lilly Photography in the Gallery below!