October 14, 2006
An unexpected evening awaited Sarah Badics in late March, 2005. Her boyfriend, David Wieland, escorted Sarah to the posh Signature Room atop the Hancock Center in Chicago for a romantic dinner. There, while overlooking the Magnificent Mile, David deftly slipped Sarah a rather modest envelope. Looking closer, Sarah recognized the missive to be an anniversary card.
Confused, yet intrigued, she opened it and read the inscription, "October 14, 2016." The message recounted ten years of happily married life together and David's appreciation for his loving wife. "I'll never forget the night you made me the happiest man on earth." Uncertainty gave way to disbelief as the card's significance became clear. Looking up in astonishment, her eyes fell to David on bended knee, ring extended.
Following an ecstatic "Of course!" David surprised Sarah once more that evening with an engagement party in the very room where they dined. Close family and friends, invited in advance, joined the scene with cause to celebrate. Soon, Sarah learned the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame and the Palais Royale Ballroom in South Bend had already been reserved for October 14, 2006, thanks to David's impeccable planning. What more could a new bride-to-be ask for?
With the ceremony and reception site determined, Sarah and her mother decided to forego the help of a wedding coordinator and joined efforts to plan the remaining details, themselves. Although the mother and daughter team had eighteen months, Sarah remarked she, "wasn't prepared for how much work it would be." But despite a few headaches and a few tedious to-dos, Sarah acknowledges, "It was all worth it in the end."
Sarah created a seamless wedding theme taking all elements into consideration. Relying on her favorite color and time of year, the elegant, formal wedding featured soft green and chocolate brown hues with fall tones to complement. Realizing both the Basilica and Palais? decor highlighted a "golden" theme, Sarah incorporated gold hues into the decorations as well.
Coordinating celadon green and gold specialty tablecloths "made the entire room," commented Sarah in retrospect. Orange-tipped yellow spray roses, another handpicked selection, were tucked into the fold of each napkin. "The guests definitely noticed how much effort was put into the details."
Just as sudden as the engagement came,
the wedding and reception swept by the newlywed couple. Sarah reflects, "The whole night went by too fast!" Nonetheless, from engagement to wedding day, Sarah and David's story is one to remember. No doubt October 14, 2016, will be a ten-year anniversary filled with love, gratefulness, and beautiful memories.
Basilica of the Sacred Heart
Notre Dame, IN
Reception Location:
Palais Royale
South Bend, IN
Photographer:
Studio This Is
Valparaiso, IN
Wedding Gown:
Eve of Milady
Chicago, IL
Bridesmaids Gowns:
Bill Levkoff
Chicago, IL
Bride's Hair Salon:
Radius Gallery and Salon
Niles, MI
Bridesmaids' Hair Salon:
Salon Fusion
South Bend, IN
Nail Salon:
Salon Rouge
Mishawaka, IN
Tuxedos:
After Hours
Mishawaka, IN
Wedding Rings:
J.R. Fox Jewelers
South Bend, IN
Flowers and Decor:
MichaelAngelos "The Event Company"
South Bend, IN
Wedding Cake:
Rascia's
Mishawaka, IN
Reception Band:
TVK Orchestra
Buffalo Grove, IL
Honeymoon:
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico