A Luxe Downtown Wedding at the Stan Mansion in Chicago, Illinois

Seven years after they first met at law school orientation, Jason Julien (32) proposed to Allyson Miller (28)—but she didn’t say “yes.” “I told him, ‘You know I will!’” Allyson says. With 170 guests looking on, the couple officially became Mr. and Mrs. in a contemporary Christian ceremony that was both personalized and non-gendered. “That detail was very important to us,” Allyson says. Pedestals and floating candles lined the the aisle, which led to a fabric-draped altar framed by compact clusters of orchids, hydrangeas and roses. 
“We wanted a clean look that we hope will age well over time,” Allyson says. Allyson and her mom wore matching gold drop earrings, while Jason accessorized with a satin bow tie. "Jason memorized his vows and brought the entire room to tears,” Allyson says. Signature paloma cocktails and the groom’s favorite—old-fashioneds—were a reception must, along with late-night pizza that arrived as the party began to wind down.