Chicago History Museum ( CHM ) will exhibit a different kind of historical display on April 10 with "One Love," a wedding event for LGBT couples to plan their perfect wedding.
"When we heard about the law, we decided we wanted to do something to reach out to this brand new market and we thought a wedding show would be the perfect way to do that to feature our venue and all the best vendors in the city in one location and a really beautiful way of letting people enjoy this space and meet all these vendors," said Chicago History Museum's Director of Corporate Events Barbara Siska. "I don't think it's going to be a traditional wedding show. I think it's going to be more of an upscale cocktail event where people can really experience the beauty of our event in a way that's not like your typical experience of going to a massive type of wedding show."
CHMThe Knot's "Best of Weddings" pick for the last four consecutive yearstogether with Greatest Expectations Special Events and Weddings, Inc. event planning, sets out to offer couples options in an elegant, celebratory event.
"We wanted to have an event that marketed to the LGBT community, but didn't make them feel so separated and different," said Jessie Pare, CHM's corporate events assistant.
"Essentially, it's a wedding show that anybody can come and feel comfortable at. It's full of vendors that are just as excited as we are about this new market being able to fully enjoy all the same rights as everybody else. We made a point to make sure that it wasn't overwhelming for people."
Guests will be able to mingle with approximately 20 established vendors including one cake artist, one photographer, four caterers, and beverage vendors among other celebratory service providers in the wedding space. Within the collection of CHM's highly recommended vendors are LGBT-focused sponsors such as Halsted Vodka and Egalite Wines.
"I really think this is going to be a great opportunity for couples to come and just explore their options," said Siska. "I think they've not had this opportunity officially and so there's not been that many opportunities for them to start exploring ideas. We just really wanted to be on the forefront of this in welcoming everyone and let them experience what the history museum has to offer. A lot of the vendors that we're working with for this event are vendors we've worked with for a long time and have really developed relationships with."
"One Love" begins at 5:30 p.m. Registration is free, but limited. While all couples are invited, Siska states the wedding show overall will just feel like a CHM event.
Siska and Pare are involved in each wedding held at CHM, staying from beginning to end, saying they love being a part of a couple's special day. CHM has housed civil union celebrations, but the pair said they are excited of this passing of the law and assisting with future same-sex marriage celebrations.
"You go to some of these same-sex wedding events and you see a lot of the stereotypical rainbow decorations and you get a lot of political stuff theremaybe like a senator or a representative that supports it," Pare said. "If you go to a heterosexual event there's no politics involved in that. It's not about the politics anymore; we've gotten past that. Let's just enjoy this and let's make this like any other event. Whether it's straight or gay, it's the same experience."
For more information and to register, visit chicagohistory.org/onelove .