SC E NE chicago weddings SARAH FINLAYSON & TONY BANASIAK F e b r u a r y 13 , 2 016 R e ve l F u l t o n M a r ke t P h o t o g r a p hy by E r i k a D u f o u r P h o t o g r a p hy THE COUPLE As a writer, Tony Banasiak had been dreaming of the Clockwise from top: Sarah stole the show in her custom cape-inspired gown and bouquet of burgundy florals and cascading black foliage; towering gold votives greeted guests as they gathered for the ceremony; the couple used a vintage dictionary as a guest book, asking friends and family to leave a note next to a word that reminded them of the newlyweds. perfect proposal story for months. But when then-girlfriend Sarah Finlayson whipped up a mushroom risotto one Saturday night, Tony couldn’t help himself. He whisked Sarah out to the patio and dropped to one knee under the moonlight. “I like to think it was my stellar risotto,” Sarah says. THE DETAILS As chief creative officer of The Revel Group, one of Chicago’s premier event-planning firms, Sarah was able to fast-track her way through the planning process. Just four months after their moonlit engagement, the couple gathered at Revel Fulton Market for a deeply personalized celebration utilizing every inch of the 30,000-square-foot venue. In a modern dress she designed herself, the bride walked down the aisle to an acoustic version of the pop song “Boom Clap” by Charli XCX. THE PARTY Limelight Catering whipped up a seven-course meal, and guests ate under a canopy of 2,000 white roses. Though there was no risotto on the menu, there was everything from raw oysters to truffle pasta—and plenty of wine. Sarah joked that the party favor was “a full belly.” After dinner, guests danced away the night in what the couple describes as “the world’s most epic dance party, complete with an elevated DJ booth, huge disco ball and piles “It’s your day—don’t feel like you have to follow of white confetti,” stopping only to indulge all the rules,” Sarah says. “When [a wedding] in a late-night cigar and scotch bar—bacon is an extension of who you are and how you swizzle sticks included. –Jenny Berg What We Learned live, it will be so much more memorable to you and your guests.” WEDDING RESOURCES Venue Revel Fulton Market, revelspace.com On-Site Coordinator Chelsey Boggs, Limelight Catering, limelightcatering.com Flowers & Decor Revel Decor, reveldecor.com Bride’s Gown Custom, bride’s grandmother Groom’s Tux Formally Modern Tuxedo, formallymodern.com Invites Reilly Kuebler, reillykuebler.com Catering Limelight Catering, limelightcatering.com Music Megan Taylor, Fig Media, figmediainc.com Hair & Makeup Emily Wolf Artistry, emilywolfmua.com From left: Guests dined at four 40-foot-long tables arranged in an open square; Sarah designed her bridesmaids’ sleek white gowns. 26 4 MODERN LUXURY BRIDES CHICAGO