An Elegant Intimate Celebration in Chicago: The Real Wedding of Yana Jones and Christian Lombard

While both attending the University of Notre Dame, Yana (Mrs. Indiana 2022!) and Christian knew of each other but hadn't ever met. "We met through mutual friends at a Wrigleyville bar in Chicago and it truly was love at first sight," Yana raves. Even though Christian can't keep a secret and Yana knew the proposal was coming, she still enjoyed their spur of the moment trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. After booking a dinner at a fancy restaurant on the edge of the mountains, Christian got down on one knee at sunset and Yana couldn't say no!
 

When it came to looking for a dress, Yana wanted something that matched the current trends. Yana shares, "I originally wanted a lacy ballgown, which was very popular at the time I was looking (in 2019). I tried on a few of ballgown styles and quickly realized that wasn’t feeling 'myself' and needed a dress that was simple, elegant and that I felt comfortable in." She ended up picking a form-fitted gown that had no lace on it, proving that all brides should listen to their gut when it comes to buying their wedding dress. She looked absolutely stunning for her big day!
 

Originally, Yana and Christian wanted to get married at Notre Dame's campus since that is where they first met, but COVID had other plans for them. "We booked our date ASAP and it was the last remaining Saturday date in 2020," Yana explains. "With COVID uncertainty, we become very flexible and re-planned at the last minute to ensure we all felt comfortable." They ended up choosing to host an intimate dinner at their favorite restaurant in Chicago, which suited them much better.
 

A lot of Yana's inspiration for both the elaborate wedding she planned first and the intimate celebration she planned second came from social media, including our Instagram account. "I chose vendors based on their photos on Instagram and their niche," Yana admits. "It’s important to choose trustworthy, and reliable vendors." When relocating their venue, Yana and Christian looked for the right ambiance and dining options for their post-ceremony celebration. And Vilma Maria Photographer captured the entire day beautifully!
 

 

What We Love

Almost all of the vendors that Yana and Christian ended up choosing for their celebration were kind and understanding about having to reschedule and change things around. This made the couple more than happy because their intimate ceremony and celebration was something that they didn't know they needed. "My family means the world to me," Yana gushes. "It felt amazing to be surrounded by those we
love the most. Now that I’ve had a smaller wedding, I’m recommending it to everyone!"
 

 

Advice from the Couple

"Go with your gut and have an open mind—you never know what may surprise you," Yana advises. "Don’t sweat the small stuff. It will all come together in the end, no matter what comes your way."
 

 

 

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