North meets South in this couple’s sweet story. Life-long Memphian Ashley Vogel moved to Chicago in 2018. During the 2020 lockdown, mutual friends set her up on a blind date with Illinois-born-and-bred Sam Teper — and the rest was history. Take a look inside this couple’s love story and their fabulous fall wedding complete with jaw-dropping floral and light displays, extravagant food and drink, and plenty of PINK!
The blind date was more blind-ish. “Okay, we may have seen pics and vetted one another!” admits Ashley.
But the pair hit it off, and two years later, Sam orchestrated a beautiful plan to ask Ashley to be his wife. He kept the event a surprise by disguising it as a work outing — a summer happy hour that just so happened to include significant others. He even went so far as to have his office send out a calendar invite for him to forward to Ashley! Sam also coordinated the arrival of family and friends to celebrate.
“Sam made sure all my family and friends who were traveling to Chicago, who I had on “Find My Friends,” changed their location over to a device they kept at home,” says Ashley. “I was truly surprised.”
On July 23, 2022, the two got engaged on the rooftop of The Robey Hotel in Wicker Park. After Ashley said yes, both families had dinner where the couple had their first date — but the surprises didn’t end there.
“We headed to another one of our favorite restaurants after dinner for a cocktail, where friends and more family from near and far gathered to celebrate us,” Ashley adds.
After such a lovely engagement, it’s no surprise that the wedding was filled with thoughtful, magical touches. Sam and Ashley chose The Kent because it provided a classic, clean, blank slate that would allow the couple’s creativity to shine. Ashley wanted every element of the wedding to resonate with the couple’s story, creating an atmosphere that would immerse their guests in joy and magic.
“It was important to me that each detail contributed to a memorable celebration, allowing everyone to feel the enchantment of the day,” says the bride.
To bring the wedding to life, the couple worked with Sheril Greenstein of Shindigs by Sheril. Flowers from Southern Bloom played a significant role in establishing the event’s emotional and visual feel. Ashley wanted lots of greenery for a whimsical feel and a color palette of all shades of pink.
Ashley didn’t have a specific vision for her dress. However, she had always admired Israeli bridal designers and wanted to try to find a special dress by one of them. “Bella Bianca carries a beautiful array of dresses by Israeli designers, so I started there,” she said. “When I put on the beautiful, delicate, sparkly Birenzweig dress — I knew it was the one.”
Three hundred guests arrived at 5:30 p.m. on the big day for cocktails. “I’ve always believed that life is more fun outside the box, so we wanted to lean into our creativity for cocktail hour,” Ashley says.
Mission accomplished! Guests enjoyed a cool, unique living champagne wall and a bourbon tasting. A creative sushi station featured tasty morsels on painter palettes with paint brushes to dip in little “paint cans” of soy sauce.
While their guests enjoyed the cocktail hour, Ashley and Sam had an intimate ketubah signing ceremony with only their closest family and friends present. “It was one of the most special and meaningful services I have been a part of,” the bride tells us.
The couple then had a traditional Jewish vow service led by Rabbi Micah Greenstein before their guests.
The day held a bittersweet note as well. “A month before our wedding, the Israel war broke out, so it definitely felt like a strange time to be celebrating,” says Ashley. “However, we understood the importance of Jewish Simchas (celebrations) and wanted to recognize the tragedy within the moment. We draped an Israeli flag under the chuppah.”
After the ceremony, guests enjoyed a seated meal with plated stations. Guests craving Mediterranean flavors dined on grilled eggplant with whipped feta and marinated tomatoes, lemon herb couscous, and roasted, multicolored carrots with tahini and mint.
An Asian option offered seared tuna with wasabi mayo served with vegetable spring rolls and Thai noodle salad. Last but not least, pasta lovers feasted on spinach ravioli with sundried tomatoes, olives, basil, artichoke hearts, and pesto olive oil, served with parmesan-stuffed baby portabellas and garlic green beans.
Next up – dancing. But with a unique twist.
“Our venue had an 11 p.m. noise ordinance, so my mom (who was the best, most supportive, and helpful partner in planning our wedding) had the brilliant idea of a silent disco starting at 11,” Ashley explains. “Neither Sam nor I had done this before, but I’ve always heard how much fun they are. It did not disappoint. The silent disco was a highlight of the night.”
The couple started their married life in style, heading to sun-drenched Saint Lucia for their honeymoon.
Thank you for sharing your special day with us, Ashley and Sam!
RESOURCES
Event planner: Sheril Greenstein of Shindigs by Sheril
Ceremony and Reception: The Kent
Photographer: Rob & Deanna Photography
Videographer: Message in a Bottle Productions
Bride’s gown: Birenzweig from Bella Bianca
Bridesmaids’ dresses: Dessy from Bella Bridesmaids
Hair: Taylor Welch Stylist
Makeup: Alicia George Beauty
Groom’s formalwear: Suit Supply
Groomsmen’s formalwear: The Black Tux
Invitations, programs, and menu cards: Something So Write
Flowers: Southern Bloom
Catering: A Catered Affair
Band: Entice Music
Silent Disco: Tiger City DJs
Wedding cake: Frost Bake Shop
Groom’s Cake: Sprinkle Me Silly
Rentals & Decor: White Door Events
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