Darcy & Regina’s Chicago Wedding at Osteria Via Stato
Darcy and Regina planned their Chicago wedding in just six weeks. The timeline was brief, but their intention never wavered. From the beginning, they knew what mattered most: a wedding day that felt warm, welcoming, and intentionally shaped—one that kept them close to the people they love, without unnecessary layers pulling them in too many directions. That clarity guided everything that followed.
They were married in January—deep winter in Chicago. Outside, the city moved briskly beneath coats and cold air. Inside Osteria Via Stato, the pace softened. The lights glowed warmly. Coats were set aside. Conversations slowed. The shift was immediate, as if the rest of the world had paused at the door.
A Day Built Around Being Fully Present
Darcy and Regina never wanted a wedding driven by décor moments or a tightly packed timeline. They wanted space—to sit, to talk, to laugh, and to experience the joy of being married while surrounded by their people.
Hosting both the ceremony and reception at Osteria Via Stato allowed the day to move at an easy, uninterrupted pace. Guests flowed naturally from vows into dinner, settling into long tables designed for lingering conversations rather than constant transitions. Darcy and Regina stayed close, never pulled far from the heart of the room.
During cocktail hour, guests participated in a book swap. Books waited on a shared table before the ceremony, then changed hands as the evening unfolded. It was a simple, thoughtful gesture rooted in connection.
The atmosphere all evening felt generous and intentional. Less like an event, more like a gathering shaped with care.
Color, Florals, and Joy—Even in January
Floral designs on the wedding invitations set the tone long before guests arrived. Though their day was in the heart of winter, it was anything but muted.
Both brides wore white dresses accented with colorful floral details—unexpected, joyful, and completely reflective of who they are. Their bouquets carried that same energy, bringing warmth and life into the space.
Every design choice felt cohesive. The palette mirrored Darcy and Regina themselves—full of warmth, color, and personality.
Planning With Care on a Six-Week Timeline
A six-week planning window demands clarity—and trust in the people guiding the process. Darcy and Regina knew they needed someone who could lead with confidence, anticipate details before they turned into stress, and hold the logistics so they didn’t have to.
Working with our planner, Rebecca, that trust was established immediately. Decisions were made efficiently and thoughtfully. Communication was clear and consistent. From securing vendors to creating signage to shaping the flow of the day, each element was handled with steady care.
Most importantly, she protected Darcy and Regina’s highest priority: being fully present. The timeline intentionally carved out space for conversation, connection, and quiet moments together.
As Darcy later shared:
“We are a lesbian couple that decided to move up our wedding timeline when Trump got re-elected. So the race to plan a wedding in 6 weeks was on. We met with a few other wedding coordinators and just didn’t feel they were the right fit, but within the first minute of meeting Becca we instantly knew we wanted to work with her.
She is so personable, knowledgeable, punctual, caring, and funny. We immediately bonded with her and had a great first conversation with her, when my now wife and I were leaving the first call we both said we wanted to be friends with her. She is the kind of person who can get along with anyone. Everyone at our wedding felt like they knew her and knew who was in charge. We wanted someone who could take the lead, help us with all of the things we maybe wouldn’t have thought of in regards to a wedding as this was both of our first weddings. And Becca stepped right up and got to work right away. She gave us extremely helpful advice and tips, she helped us make decisions when we felt indecisive, she gave us helpful homework of things we needed to get done to prepare for the wedding, she helped us secure the rest of our vendors, and she even made all of our signage. Every time we contacted Becca she was punctual and got back to us promptly, no questions we asked were too much, she always had an answer or suggestion ready to go.
We had expressed to her that the most important thing for us was that we could be completely present during our wedding day, we wanted to be able to interact with all of our family and friends and get photos and personal moments with everyone. Becca kept that the central focus of our wedding and helped us with organizing the day to work out where we never had to have more than a few minutes away from our guests.
When I say Becca took care of everything I truly mean it. She was on top of everything, she made the process of planning a wedding fun and we didn’t feel stressed even once along the way. She is truly the best, I don’t think there’s anyone else that could match her work or talent.
— Darcy
Darcy and Regina never had to explain themselves or adjust their vision to fit a template. Their priorities shaped the day from start to finish. That level of care is central to how we work, and we share more about that approach in our blog post on LGBTQ+ inclusive wedding planning.
A Day That Lingers
As the evening unfolded, dinner moved at an unhurried pace. Glasses were refilled. Stories stretched across the table. Outside, the city carried on. Inside, the room was filled with conversation, laughter, and the kind of calm that comes from being together.
Photographs capture the beauty of the day, but what stayed with us most was the feeling—steady, warm, and intentionally shaped from start to finish. A wedding planned with clarity and care, even within a short window of time, leaves room for what matters most.
Vendor Team
Planner: Heirloom Event Company
Venue + Catering: Osteria Via Stato
Photographer: Kate Scott Photography
Floral: Flowers for Dreams
The best wedding days don’t feel rushed, overworked, or performative—they feel intentional, memorable, and unmistakably yours. If that’s what you’re looking for, we’d be honored to plan alongside you.