3-15-08 Devon's Wedding (several posts to follow)

THEY DID IT!!

Congratulations, devon and patrick! It was a beautiful ceremony that I only saw through the blurriest of eyes; started crying like 3 hours before and basically couldn't stop until this morning. Totally 'cause of pure happiness and because devon just looked so incredibly spectacular, but some of it might have been allergies. What, you don't think I could've just had allergies?

Devon has obviously always been beautiful, but she was all glowing and bridal and seriously celebrity-like. Like when we were all over town, taking photos @ cool Chicago places, the paparazzo rightly should have been stalking her. Seriously, WHO fits and looks so kickass in that dress?? I might be totally butchering this, but the dress was created by layers upon layers of raw silk that laid flat in a shutter-like manner. It seemed to be cut specifically for Devon. Slightly off-the-shoulder (more like just-on-the-shoulder), just low enough in the front for intrigue, and a floaty train that gathered easily in one hand while running all over town for photos. Probably my job to hold it for her, but she held on just fine.

I think other attendees would have better photos of the pre-stuff as I was ridiculously non-vigilant about taking blog-worthy ones to keep you all up to speed. Sorry, little busy and while we were outside, it was waaaaaay too cold to separate move my arms away from my sides. Waaaaaaaaay too cold.

And for those of you who have been DYING to know the secret location? Drum roll please.....

A NEW LEAF @ 1820 North Wells in "the loop".
this gorgeous space is run by a florist shoppe in Chicago!
it's really difficult to see in the photo below, but first,
imagine that you're a guest and standing on the balcony
overlooking the center "courtyard" looking area.
you're looking from the back to front of the venue.

Now walk through the following steps with me:

1. The wedding party walked straight from the door to that archway on the left.
   
2. The "Reverend" stood in the middle of the archway facing towards you.
3. Devon and Patrick faced him, wedding party at their sides.
4. 10 chairs were set-up down below for immediate family.
5. All guests were standing above and looking down.
   
6. At the moment of "may i introduce to you, mr. & mrs. larkin!" you took a handful of
   feathers and dropped it down in a flurry of off-white prettiness that fell all around the party below.

Crazy/cool, you guys. Like, so crazy/cool. It was difficult for my negative-0.3-megapixel camera to capture the amazingness of the place (camera's great, it was just a bit too dark for a normal camera, i think). You can check out the venue website and take time to look @ their photos for more detail.

We're supposed to be napping back at the hotel, but instead I'm using the hotel's WIFI to let you all in on everything. I'll continue to post more of the photos asap!