Chicago Love Story: A Unique Wedding at Saint Ignatius

SWEET HOME CHICAGO

A couple transforms their former high school, Saint Ignatius College Prep, for an all-out celebration of their love.

Photographed by Ben Finch

Dimitra’s Bridal Couture sourced extra fabric from Molly’s strapless Reem Acra gown to create detachable sleeves. She paired the dress with a veil adorned with scattered pearls.

Molly Manus and Matt Tully go way back—sort of. They grew up a few blocks from each other in Lincoln Park, and both attended Saint Ignatius College Prep. But it wasn’t until years after graduation that they officially met through mutual friends; and in January 2018, they finally, fatefully, went out for drinks. A few years later, “Matt completely surprised me by proposing on our rooftop,” Molly says. “It was perfectly just the two of us.”

In late June 2023, the big day—or rather, the big weekend—arrived. “We opted for an untraditional wedding weekend schedule to maximize time with our loved ones and create the most fun experience for our guests,” Molly says. The festivities kicked off on Thursday with an intimate ceremony at Saint Clement Church and rehearsal dinner at the couple’s favorite Lincoln Park restaurant, Gemini; the next day, a Hawaiian-themed white party welcomed guests. Saturday began with a short and sweet ceremony in the stunning Saint Ignatius courtyard. “We never needed to explore alternate venue options,” Matt shares. “I serve on the Board of Trustees at the school, so it continues to be a very important place to both of us. We have a strong emotional attachment, but the spectacular grounds and historic buildings make it one of the most beautiful places in our city.”

For the 400-guest reception, HMR Designs built a venue from the ground up on the school’s football field, with the Chicago skyline as backdrop. “The theme was inspired by my obsession with blue and white,” Molly says. “The vision was to start very natural with greens and white for the ceremony, keep things airy with light blues and blonde wood for cocktail hour, and incorporate darker navy blue hues for dinner and dancing.” The couple—along with wedding planner Chrissy Magliano and the Big City Bride team—pulled out all the stops. “The only thing better than the exceptional team we were able to work with was the picture-perfect Chicago weather we had all weekend,” Molly says. “Looking back, we wouldn’t have changed a thing.”