The Year 2020 In Review

To say the year 2020 turned out differently than we expected is an understatement. We geared up for our busiest year yet- expanding the Naturally Yours Events team, planning our own associates’ weddings, and launching a new company website. That came to a halt, as you all know, when the COVID-19 pandemic drastically changed the event industry.

Addressing the incredibly large elephant in the room- this year has been really tough, frustrating, and emotionally draining for all of us. We felt the pain & heartbreak of our clients who chose to postpone or even cancel their weddings. We watched our vendor friends lose their businesses and gain uncertainty of the years ahead. We said goodbye to our Ravenswood office of 6 years as we shifted to working 100% remotely and hosting only virtual meetings.

Even so, we saw really beautiful things come out of the year 2020. Couples chose to keep their wedding dates and tied the knot in scaled back ways, new clients came to us looking for how to make intimate celebrations special, and we witnessed the truth behind the saying “love is never cancelled.” We were still able to watch so many happy marriages begin which is one of the reasons why we love what we do.

As a company we celebrated with virtual happy hours and holiday parties, half our associates got married, and we recently welcomed a new baby to the team! We missed hosting our annual beer festival wedding show, Wedtoberfest, but when we needed to pivot our business and created Neighborhood Nuptials, we decided to pour all of our energy and focus into that venture because we wanted to support couples affected in the present.

We partnered with some amazing vendors & venues and were honored to be a part of many wonderful couples’ wedding days. For Wedtoberfest, we look forward to sharing a beer (or two) with engaged couples & vendors again in the future- as we do have some ideas brewing and bubbling that we’re really excited share soon!

The year 2020 has taught us to reflect, be more socially mindful, appreciate moments, and focus on what is important. Take a look back at the past year with us and we ring in the new!

Maggie & Nick’s Winter Wedding at Loft Lucia

After exchanging vows at Old St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Maggie and Nick began the year 2020 celebrating with their guests at Loft Lucia with an espresso bar, twinkling holiday lights, and late night donuts.

Kristen & Jim’s Surprise Wedding at Lytle House

Naturally Yours Events’ Senior Lead Event Planner, Kristen, tied the knot with her husband Jim at City Hall and then was absolutely surprised with an intimate cocktail reception at Lytle House with close family and friends.

Mari & John’s Pre-Lockdown Wedding at Salvage One

The weekend before the city went into full lockdown due to the pandemic, Mari and John gathered at Salvage One with a significantly reduced guest count of family and friends who all came together to make this day truly special for the couple.

Lauren and Tyler’s Living Room Minimony

Naturally Yours Events’ Senior Event Planner, Lauren, had to postpone her larger wedding plans due to lockdown restrictions but still tied the knot with husband Tyler on their original date in their Chicago home which their neighbors were very happy about as they walked through the park down the street from their house.

Evelyn and Julian’s Backyard Family Wedding

Associate Event Planner, Evelyn said I Do with husband Julian in her parents’ backyard and celebrated with their puppy ring bearer, a drive through reception, and a surprise Mariachi band.

Lyra’s Virtual 1st Birthday Party

A completely virtual party was planned for Carlene’s daughter for her first birthday in August where guests played games, interacted at virtual tables, and watched the birthday girl open gifts and eat a delicious sunshine cake.

Anne & Zach’s Intimate Summer Wedding at Blumen Gardens

This summer, Anne and Zach tied the knot in an outdoor wedding ceremony at Blumen Gardens before sharing a socially distanced dinner with tacos & margaritas.

Heather & Nik’s Private Rooftop Wedding

On the rooftop of their condo, Heather & Nik exchanged personal vows in front of their intimate group of family and puppy children who also served as their adorable ring bearers and flower girl.

Jessica & Maurice’s Neighborhood Nuptials at Ignite Glass Studios

Neighborhood Nuptials’ first happy couple, Jessica & Maurice, jumped into marriage at Ignite Glass Studios and then enjoyed cake & a first dance together.

Michelle & Trent’s Intimate Wedding at The Redfield Estate at the Grove

Michelle and Trent were married at The Redfield Estate by a close friend and enjoyed dinner & celebrations in the venue’s outdoor pavilion with their children and small group of guests.

Isabelle & Michael’s Neighborhood Nuptials at Artifact Events

Isabelle and Michael couldn’t wait to start their lives together so chose to get married with Neighborhood Nuptials at Artifact Events in Ravenswood and they even had their celebration featured on ABC’s Localish.

Kerry & Dan’s Neighborhood Nuptials at Artifact Events

Kerry and Dan explored the city with their photographer before popping up at Artifact Events for their own Neighborhood Nuptials with their close friends in attendance.

Joselyn & Taurean’s Neighborhood Nuptials at Fairlie

Joselyn and Taurean were married by the bride’s parents in this truly special ceremony at Fairlie and a part of Neighborhood Nuptials.

Nikki & Mike’s Neighborhood Nuptials at Fairlie

Nikki and Mike enjoyed cake & champagne as a part of their Neighborhood Nuptials at Fairlie after exchanging vows and locking letters in a wine box to open on their first anniversary.

Stephanie & Greg’s Neighborhood Nuptials at Fairlie

Bride Stephanie, a former associate of Naturally Yours Events, and groom Greg held their ceremony with Neighborhood Nuptials, cutting a pizza “cake” and then continuing celebrations at our vendor partner Big Delicious Planet for an intimate family dinner.

Jenna & Cash’s Intimate Wedding at Loft 606

Jenna and Cash quarantined with their friends and family at an AirBnb venue where they held an intimate ceremony on the terrace and dinner reception.

Cozy Fall Baby Shower at Private Residence

We held a cozy themed baby shower for our associate Kristen and her ‘lil pumpkin, featuring hot cocoa & spiced cider, comfy blankets, and cute fall face masks. Congratulations to Kristen as she just welcomed her little cozy bundle in late December!

Kristin & Zach’s Neighborhood Nuptials at Lytle House

Kristin and Zach tied the knot at Lytle House with Neighborhood Nuptials on a beautiful fall afternoon where the bride stunned in a velvet green dress.

Christine & Jeff’s Neighborhood Nuptials at Lytle House

Christine and Jeff’s sweet nuptials were held at Lytle House where they said I Do’s and then danced down the aisle as husband and wife.

Ashley & Kristin’s Neighborhood Nuptials at Lytle House

Ashley and Kristin celebrated their love in front of an intimate group of family at Lytle House where virtual guests were also able to join in on congratulating the newlyweds through a virtual photo booth, video guest book, and chat room hosted by Neighborhood Nuptials’ vendor partner, Be There from Cage & Aquarium.

 

Carly and Jonathan’s Intimate Wedding at Towne & Oak

Carly and Jonathan’s intimate Jewish wedding was full of family love at Towne & Oak where they celebrated with brunch and jazz music.

Disney Themed Surprise Birthday at Private Residence

Naturally Yours Events teamed up with Kio Kreations along with former client, Joe, to surprise his wife Colleen with a DisneyWorld and Harry Potter dreamland around their house for her 40th birthday.

Christina & Andrew’s Neighborhood Nuptials at Ping Tom Park

When indoor event venues needed to close again, Christina and Andrew rolled with the punches (and the cold) as we quickly relocated their intimate nuptials to a neighborhood park where they said their vows in front of family tuning in on Zoom.

Thank you again to everyone who helped make the year 2020 a little brighter. You supported our small business, you celebrated with us, you left kind reviews, and you continued to plan for the future with us. For that we are so appreciative and can’t wait to experience the next year with you.

Cheers to 2021- WELCOME! We are definitely ready for you and are going to tackle whatever you have in store for us. For as we should know, you can plan something perfectly but you always need to be prepared, have your emergency bag packed, and a smile on (even under a mask) to put out any fires big or small (or literal…)

Happy New Year from all of us at Naturally Yours Events!

Carlene, Kristen, Lauren, Evelyn, Liz, Sarah, Tempris, Meghan