i D❤! Melissa Brown & Max Klupchak] by rebecca koenig | photos by robyn rachel photography
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Melissa Brown and Max Klupchak met at the first sorority-fraternity mixer of the year at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. They dated throughout college and decided to take a break once Max went off to law school at Emory University and Melissa took a job in Chicago, but reunited when Max took a Windy City job, too. “I like to say he followed me to Chicago,” says Melissa, a Ladue High School grad. “I always knew he was the one.” The college sweethearts were married at The Standard Club in Chicago. Melissa wore Vera Wang, and Max wore a tux to the black-tie ceremony and reception. The couple’s favorite foods were served during a cocktail hour: fried green tomatoes and shrimp and grits were available at the Southern station, while dumplings, dim sum and sushi was served at an Asian food table. After a formal dinner, guests enjoyed an eclectic mix of songs played by a live, 18-person band, Colby Beserra and the Party Faithful. The customized set list included Sweet Melissa in honor of the bride and University of Wisconsin fight songs. “The band was amazing. It was like they were out of a movie,” Melissa says. A Wisconsin-themed after-party featuring the state’s signature beers, cheese curds and a groom’s cake shaped like Bucky Badger, the University of Wisconsin mascot, lasted well into the early morning. “My dad was up there singing karaoke all night,” Melissa says. When the couple returned to St. Louis from their Hawaiian honeymoon, Melissa’s grandmother hosted a wedding luncheon for them at Westwood Country Club. In keeping with the Meet Me in St. Louis theme, the party had St. Louis landmark table settings and cupcake ferris wheels.
[ resources ] [ wedding party ] Gown | Vera Wang Baker | Tipsy Cake Florist | Ronsley Special Events Band | Colby Beserra and the Party Faithful Ceremony and reception | The Standard Club, Chicago
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TOWN&style
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october 10, 2012
Bride’s parents | Joan & Steven J. Brown Groom’s parents | Richard Klupchak and Amy Berne, and the late Cindy Klupchak Maid of Honor | Alexandra Clardy Best Man | Dan Tavakoli Bridesmaids | Elizabeth Kent, Julie Feit, Kim Callen, Judi Sadon, Callie Bearman, Lindsay Roberts, Lexi Klupchak, Sasha Klupchak Groomsmen | David Brown, Peter Adelman, Billy McKeown, Michel Carella, Nick Coffman, Kenny Perry, Gregg Donnelly, Barry Roth, Kelly Dwyer