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The Bride Wore Alexandra Grecco’s Colette Gown to Her “Classic With a Modern Twist” Chicago Wedding

By Shayna Seid | Photography by 

Emilia Jane Photography

During the first semester of her junior year at Miami University, Meghan Hartt lived next to Christopher Bruno. After nine years together—five of them being long-distance—Chris proposed to Meghan at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. The two would regularly walk through the park and by the zoo during the early days of the pandemic to get some exercise outside.

One day, he suggested they again go on a walk but this time “wear normal clothes,” which, in hindsight, should’ve tipped Meghan off to what was going to happen. Chris led her to a secluded spot near the zoo’s entrance and proposed. “I was confused and shocked but couldn’t have been happier,” Meghan recalls.

When the bride-to-be happened across another wedding held at the Chicago Illuminating Company, she fell in love with the venue for her own nuptials. To help bring her “classic with a modern twist” vision to life in her hometown, Meghan hired Bianca of Estera Events, and Sarah Drake Design set the tone of the special event with a blue and white invitation suite.

When it came to her wedding dress, Meghan had seen Alexandra Grecco’s Colette Gown online and referenced it at all her bridal appointments. In the end, she finally decided to try on the Colette at Alice in Ivory and immediately felt most like herself. To make it her own, Meghan requested that Alexandra extend the train length and add buttons to the back. And on the day-of, after getting ready with Belle Row, Meghan completed her bridal look with a Vera Wang cathedral-length lace veil and a traditional bouquet, crafted by Fleur.

For the summer ceremony, Chris wore a black tuxedo from Arthur + Lucca that had their wedding date embroidered on the inside pocket and Gucci shoes.

On July 10, 2021 at St James Chapel, the two were married by the priest from Meghan’s family’s church. “I love the size of St James—much more intimate than your normal cathedral church, and the style is exactly what I wanted with white stone and gorgeous stained glass,” the bride says. “It held to the simple but beautiful look I was going for.”

After being announced as husband and wife, the newlyweds led everyone to the cocktail hour inside, followed by a dinner of halibut, filet, or pesto lasagna, catered by Boka. For dessert, the wedding cake from Meghan’s favorite bakery, Sweet Mandy B’s, was brought out along with a sweets table of boozy milkshakes, cookies & milk, and doughnut bits. After busting a move with The Lakeshore Encores, Chicago-style hotdogs and mini deep-dish pizzas kept guests energized and happy.

The newlyweds had their first dance to “Bones” by Maren Morris. “Dancing and having fun with Chris and all our family and friends was the highlight [of the reception],” Meghan remembers. “Looking around and seeing everyone we love having so much fun really made all the stressful planning moments worth it.”

Later on, Meghan changed into a Retrofête minidress and Air Force Ones, and the party continued into the early hours with an open bar, DJ, and more dancing above a bar in Old Town. The new mister and missus later took off a honeymoon at Amanera in the Dominican Republic to properly ring in married life.