Maya and Matthew’s love story is the kind they write romance novels about. What began as a childhood friendship blossomed into a deep affection over time, culminating in their wedding at The Geraghty on July 27, 2024.

Our team had the honor of guiding Maya and Matthew through our full-service planning experience, not just for their wedding day but also for their rehearsal dinner and Maya’s bridal shower. Their faith-centered celebration featured elevated, immersive design elements, but even more than that, it reflected the love they’ve shared and the chapters of their story still to come. We’re thrilled to share highlights from this incredible day, which graced the pages of Modern Luxury.

Groom getting ready for his wedding at The Geraghty

Bride getting ready for her wedding at The Geraghty

J Lauryn Photography - Chicago Wedding Photographer

Bride and groom laughing after their first look

A Lifelong Love Story

Maya and Matthew first connected as eight-year-olds on a traveling track team. Their friendship was both deep and lighthearted, filled with playful teasing, but it wasn’t until they reconnected in college that their relationship evolved into something more.

With a little behind-the-scenes matchmaking from their families, who had long envisioned them together, the two found themselves on a surprise lunch date. From there, it didn’t take long to rediscover the bond that had made them inseparable as kids—and to uncover a lasting romantic connection rooted in years of friendship.

Bridal portraits in the South Garden at the Art Institute of Chicago

Close-up of bride and groom holding hands

Bride and groom popping a bottle of champagne

Garden of Eden–Inspired Wedding Design

As a devout Christian couple, Maya and Matthew envisioned a faith-driven, Garden-of-Eden–inspired concept for their wedding design. We partnered with Kehoe Designs to transform The Geraghty, a true blank-slate venue, into a lush, green paradise where their love story wasn’t just a backdrop but an integral part of the experience.

The ceremony served as the focal point of the day: thoughtfully curated, deeply meaningful, and accompanied by custom music selections for each moment. This intentionality carried into cocktail hour, where guests were invited to walk through an immersive art gallery featuring engagement photos and personal artifacts from Maya and Matthew’s relationship—love letters, handmade gifts, and childhood snapshots.

Set against a curated playlist, this visual timeline offered an intimate glimpse into their journey, showcasing not only the depth of their partnership but also the intention behind every detail of the day.

When selecting a venue, the couple prioritized an elevated, non-hotel space that would allow for full creative control. The Geraghty, with its refined yet flexible design, proved to be the perfect setting to bring their vision of “a hidden garden where love thrives” to life. An earthy color palette, tree-inspired elements, and organic textures evoked the Garden of Eden theme, while contemporary lighting by BlackOak ensured the space still felt like a modern love story.

Garden of Eden-themed wedding at The Geraghty

Ceiling installation with greenery and Edison lightbulbs at a Chicago wedding

Bride and groom sharing their first married kiss

Event Shoppe Chicago - Chicago Wedding Planner

Appetizers and signature drinks at a Chicago wedding

An Intimate Guest Experience at The Geraghty

Though the celebration’s star-studded guest list included 300 people, creating an intimate, guest-centered experience remained a top priority. Banquette-style seating was selected to foster a warm, “at-home” atmosphere, reminiscent of an intimate dinner with friends or a cozy restaurant setting. The floor plan was thoughtfully designed to ensure a seamless flow from one moment to the next, allowing the event to feel effortless, inviting, and connected despite its scale.

Terracotta linens and velvet banquettes at a Chicago wedding reception

Indoor tree wedding decor by Kehoe Designs

Bride and groom cutting a sweet potato pie at their reception

Father of the bride making a toast at a Chicago wedding

This wedding will forever be one of our favorites. From the unique design concept to the meaningful relationships we built with Maya, Matthew, and their families over multiple events, this celebration was a true reminder of why we love what we do. In fact, we’ll soon be sharing a glimpse into the couple’s baby shower—a joyful next chapter that we had the privilege of helping bring to life.

If you’re planning multiple wedding events, we invite you to explore our full-service planning package. This experience allows for seamless execution across every celebration, while allowing us to deeply understand not just your vision, but your story, your family dynamics, and what matters most to you.

Interested in learning more? Reach out to us—we would be honored to guide you in creating your own meaningful, story-driven celebration.