“I’ve always dreamt of a big white wedding,” says bride Mallory Holstein. On Jan. 11, she and Dylan Jimenez, both 26, said their vows in front of a dramatic wall of white blooms at the Kimpton Gray Hotel (122 W. Monroe). Towering white floral centerpieces adorned with cascading crystals and a four-tiered all-white cake set the scene at their reception. “It looked like a winter wonderland,” Jimenez says.

One of the couple’s fondest moments was a sentimental speech from the father of the bride. “He’s a retired cop and is just such a stoic man and really doesn’t show emotions,” Holstein says. Jimenez adds, “It was an acceptance of me formally into the family in front of everyone. … Seeing him be vulnerable in this moment for his daughter was really something.”

They also treasured seeing Jimenez’s grandparents be the last couple standing during the traditional anniversary dance. “It was amazing to see all the couples peel off after the years go by,” Holstein says. “[The DJ is saying] 30 years, and 40 years, and we get up to 60 and they are still dancing.”

Hailing from Colorado and Texas, respectively, the bride and groom met through mutual friends at St. Louis University in 2013; they moved to River North in 2018 so Jimenez could study law at John Marshall Law School. They will honeymoon this summer in a destination that Jimenez has planned as a surprise to Holstein, a pediatric nurse with Weissbluth Pediatrics. “The only thing I’ve told her is that it’s someplace neither of us have been before,” he says.

IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS

Photography: Bonphotage Fine Art Photography, bonphotage.com

Venue and catering: The Kimpton Gray Hotel, 122 W. Monroe, grayhotelchicago.com

Wedding planner: Melissa Samek, Clementine Custom Events, clementinecustomevents.com

Bride’s attire: Enzoani gown from Dimitra’s Bridal Couture, 1009 N. Rush, dimitrasbridal.com

Bride’s accessories: Jewelry by Tiffany & Co., 730 N. Michigan, tiffany.com

Bride’s hair and makeup: Hannah Aubrey Hair, hannahaubreyhair.com; The Beauty Paige, thebeautypaige.net

Bridesmaid’s attire: WAYF gowns from Nordstrom, 55 E. Grand, shop.nordstrom.com

Groom’s and groomsmen’s attire: Calvin Klein tuxedos from Men’s Wearhouse, menswearhouse.com

Invitations: Minted.com

Cake: Chocolate cake with chocolate mousse and buttercream frosting, West Town Bakery, 1916 W. Chicago, westtownbakery.com

Florals: Bouquets and centerpieces by Vale of Enna, 1157 W. Grand, valeofenna.com; backdrop by AGS Event Creations, agsevents.com

Entertainment: DJ Tuan Tran (family friend)

Rings: Tiffany & Co., 730 N. Michigan, tiffany.com