Whitney’s Whirlwind Wedding
The host/executive producer of WYCC’s The Whitney Reynolds Show and a former TCW Top Single, Whitney Reynolds says her whirlwind journey to the altar with Voxware Account Executive David Heiner began after the TCW Spring Fever party in 2013. “He proposed the next night,” she says with a smile. “We enjoyed our engagement with no wedding talk for 24 hours…then we dove in head first.”
Married eight months later, the wedding took place at Soul City Church (1130 West Adams Street) on November 2, 2013. “We met in Chicago at Caribou Coffee in September 2012, and David proposed there,” says Ms. Reynolds. “We wanted to spotlight the city we call home, so when planning the wedding we wanted to keep everything local.” And here’s how they did it – in less than a year.
MARCH 2013
-Started a wedding folder.
-Booked Big City Bride wedding planner.
-Started Bridal Bootcamp at Fab Fit Lincoln Park.
-Picked the wedding date: November 2, 2013, a year, to date, from the couple’s first “I love you.”
-Reserved Soul City Church.
-Found a Vera Wang gown online, tried it on at a local shop and bought it within five minutes.
APRIL 2013
-Chose wedding colors: navy and chartreuse.
-Announced the bridal party.
-Booked the reception venue: Lacuna Artists Lofts.
-Chose “Your Song” by Ellie Goulding for the first dance.
-Filmed a save the date video – check it out!
MAY 2013
-Picked out David’s navy suit by Sebastien Grey.
-Sent out “Save The Dates.”
-Booked photographer Cory Dewald for both engagement photos and wedding.
-Booked Second City Trolley for the wedding party, Mid-America Charter Lines for out-of-town guests, a Global Luxury Imports Rolls Royce for the bride and groom ‘getaway car’ and a Hailo cab code for locals.
-Registered for bridal gifts.
-Picked Teri Jon bridesmaids dresses with help from Anna Fong.
JUNE 2013
-Food tasting with Kenmare Catering.
-Chose flowers from Stems Chicago.
-Ordered letterpress invitations from Evanston Print & Paper Shop, featuring a drawing from David’s uncle.
-Started marriage prep course.
-Had an engagement party in Pittsburgh with David’s family.
JULY 2013
-Ordered wedding cake and sampled slices from Chicago Cake Couturier.
-Had David’s mom’s veil rebuilt by Jaxie Bridal.
-Bought David a wedding gift: boudoir photos by Jenny Taylor Boudoir Photography.
-Took engagement photos at home in Lakeview, North Avenue Beach and Navy Pier.
-Booked live jazz music by Jesse Charbonier for cocktail hour and dinner.
-Sent engagement announcement for the newspaper to Whitney’s hometown of Durant, Oklahoma.
-The first wedding shower.
-Booked hotel rooms for guests at Sheraton Lakefront.
AUGUST 2013
-Chose custom centerpieces for the reception tables via Ann Lou Glass and Stems Chicago.
-Booked Action Booth photo booth and Doodle Booth sketch artist for the reception.
-Started bridal skin care at Leah Chavie Skincare Boutique.
-Booked honeymoon: Rancho Pacifico, Costa Rica.
-Choreographed a secret dance for the reception with Whitney’s bridesmaids.
SEPTEMBER 2013
-Booked lighting and DJ from Platinum Events.
-Ordered letterpress menu cards from Evanston Print & Paper Shop.
-Ordered a custom wedding belt and bridesmaids gifts from Jaxie Bridal.
-Met with Pastor Jeanne Stevens.
-Purchased the marriage certificate; in Chicago, you can get one 60 days out.
OCTOBER 2013
-Final dress fitting.
-Purchased wedding band from David Yurman.
-Reception walk-through with all vendors.
-Made hotel guests’ bags.
-Chose church décor and programs by Kel & Co.
-Bachelorette/Bachelor Party (New Orleans and Florida).
-Purchased rehearsal dinner dress from Anna Fong.
-Hair and makeup trial at K. Paige Salon.
-Purchased David’s rose gold wedding band.
-Bought the dog, Puffy Doo-Little, a Guess bridesmaid dress.
NOVEMBER 2013
-Bridesmaid luncheon at Flirty Girl Fitness with Swirlz Cupcakes and Sal’s Deli.
-Airbrush tan at Celebrity Skin.
-Massage at Balance Healing Center.
-Stem Cell Skin Treatment for a ‘bridal glow’ with Leah Chavie.
-Vendor setup with Big City Bride.
Don’t miss The Whitney Reynolds Show’s “I Do, Chicago Style!” – a two-hour special where Ms. Reynolds gives you an all-access look at the planning of her wedding, down to the last detail. The show will air in April 2014 and be syndicated throughout the year.
Cory Dewald Photographs