The Wedding Story of... Amy & Matt Weyer

Bittersweet Beginnings

After losing a grandparent to non-Hodgkin lymphoma, both Amy Zolman and Matt Weyer became passionate about honoring their loved ones.  The two became involved with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Amy as a team coordinator and Matt as a volunteered marathon runner. Matt’s team captain, Amy’s co-worker, suggested the two meet. 

 

Both recall their official first date being carefree and casual.  Matt says, “...it was probably the easiest, simplest first date ever.  We talked, we laughed and we were totally comfortable with each other.”  Amy adds, “It was like talking to an old friend!”

 

 

 

 

His Perfect Surprise

Four years later, after coordinating with two of Amy’s bosses, Matt was able to pull off the perfect surprise proposal.  While working at an event in Chicago, Amy received a call from her boss. “My boss was not very technology savvy, so I thought nothing of it when he asked for my help to connect to the internet,” Amy recalls.  Little did she know, when she walked into the room, instead of her boss, Matt was there. “I was thrilled to see him!” Amy remembers. “I thought he was just surprising me and we would spend the weekend together.” With a bigger surprise in mind, in a room decorated with flowers and candles overlooking Lake Michigan, “Matt got down on one knee and asked me to marry him!  It was the perfect surprise.”

 

 

 

 

 

Inspiration Guide

While looking for wedding day ideas, Amy found inspiration while flipping through House Beautiful magazine.  “The magazine featured a room that inspired the entire theme of our wedding.  I loved the colors and textures used and thought this could translate into a stylish event,” Amy recalls.  “I went about the process as if I were designing a room for a home.”

 

Envisioning her wedding as more of a fashion magazine photo shoot, Amy used her artistic style to create a timeless, elegant, and aesthetically pleasing event. Amy gave her bridesmaids the opportunity to use their own style and express their personalities by having them pick out their own cocktail dress. From there, Amy explains, “I focused on finding great accent pieces to go along with their style. My goal was for things to coordinate, not necessarily match.”

 

 

 

 

 

A Moment Together

Matt and Amy found themselves briefly alone after the ceremony, creating Matt’s favorite memory. “After the ceremony, Amy and I shared a quiet moment together up on the balcony,” Matt recalls.  “Spending the first few minutes of being husband and wife and enjoying each other before the reception began, that’s the moment I’ll remember forever.”

 

 

 

 

The Fall Season

Tying in perfectly with their seasonal fall date, Amy and Matt incorporated pheasant feathers into their design.  “I wanted a wedding uniquely our own, something that truly represented us as a couple,” Amy says.  “My florist created a beautiful bouquet that exceeded my expectations. It reminded me of a piece of art.” Adding to the classic elegance of the Eli Lilly Hall, Amy and Matt’s reception was tastefully decorated with alternating centerpieces accentuated with pheasant feathers, white roses, hydrangeas, anemones, magnolia leaves and branches all of which popped against the gold linens and mahogany chiavari chairs.

 

 

 

 

Her Perfect Surprise

Incorporating her fun, bubbly personality, Amy was able to surprise Matt by changing into a glamorous gold sequin dress at the reception. “Amy had mentioned wanting a second dress for the reception, but only in passing, so I didn’t think much of it,” Matt recalls.  When Amy walked out on the dance floor, Matt was beyond surprised. “I was ecstatic!  I think I probably did a double take, she looked amazing and it fit her personality so well.”