On the evening of April 10, visitors to the Chicago History Museum's One Love event became wedding crashers at a spectacular reception as the ornate Chicago Room was transformed into a cocktail party replete with elegant place settings glistening with an array of styles and colors under a grand chandelier.
Delectable hors d'oeuvres representing some of the most inventive and sublime selections from caterers across the city including Berghoff Catering and Restaurant Group, Food for Thought and Jewell Events Catering were complimented by strawberry champagne, a beer tasting station, a vodka cocktail from Halsted Vodka and sparkling wine from Biagio Cru & Estate Winesboth companies that pledge to donate a percentage of their profits back to the LGBTQ community. Guests could then feast upon an array of luscious chocolate truffles from Katherine Anne Confections, velvety donuts from Glazed and Infused, or cakes crafted in elaborate detail from Amy Beck Cake Design.
Also on hand were wedding planners, make-up and hair experts, wedding designers and entertainment providersall of whom were there to offer services in a safe environment and to let prospective same-sex couples in particular know that their business was welcome in a new era of marriage equality in Illinois.
Heather Lynne Vickerythe owner and event director of Greatest Expectations Special Events & Weddings Inc.put the evening together alongside Chicago History Museum Special Events Coordinator Jesse Pare. "Jesse was one of my past clients," Vickery explained. "And when she was planning her wedding, we wanted to put something together that was elegant and upscale and make everyone feel welcome. Clearly we're gearing this towards the LGBTQ community but it's not just for them. We've welcomed everyone and want them to feel as if they can walk in and say 'this is my party.'"
It was a party that had been in the planning stages since January. "We've been collaborating with all the vendors here." Vickery said. "We want every couple to know that you can have a spectacular wedding without a huge budget and we can guide them to their perfect day."
There were a number of hopeful LGBTQ couples looking for the right people to help provide that day. Tanisha Young and Cecilia Piņa have been together two and a half years. Young said that the moment she met Piņa, she knew she was the one. "The universe put us together," Young said with a smile. "I still ask her everyday if she'll marry me." Since Piņa has repeatedly said '"yes", the couple decided to attend One Love to meet vendors who not only demonstrated the style they were looking for but inclusiveness. "It's very important," Young said. "We can get married and we can go to a company but what if that company has different viewpoints on gay weddings and they don't call us back? There's been times when we've applied to apartments and Cecilia would tell them in an email that we're a lesbian couple and they would not respond after that."
Torre Gentile and Jay Khudai are looking at a 2016 wedding date. "We've got to get Jay through med school first," Gentile said. "But while we're planning it, I really appreciate being able to go to this event and see who we should do business with." Khudai thinks events such as One Love have a richer significance. "It's really important for expos like this to be happening in our community," he said. "It helps us become more accepted in Chicago and makes businesses aware that LGBTQ couples are here and willing to work with them."
"Everyone was so excited to be on board for this," said Barbara Siska, director of corporate events at the Chicago History Museum. "The vendors pulled it together in a relatively quick amount of time." She added thatas far as the CHM is concerneda wedding is a wedding and thus a momentous occasion no matter who is involved. "We welcome any couple in love," she said. "We wanted an event like this to trigger some creative ideas for them."
Livia Caporale and Andie Cumber were certainly equipped to do so. Their table was set up with a selection of hair extensions and accessories, make-up mirrors and an array of product designed to transform any pair of brides or grooms with a touch of glamour. Caporale has been in business for 13 years and offers on location hair and beauty services. "We go to wherever the couple is getting ready with friends and family," she explained. "We make it super convenient and comfortable."
"I feel like love is universal," Cumber added. "It's not gender or orientation specific. We want to let the LGBTQ community know thaton their wedding dayeverybody deserves to look and feel amazing."