Bobby and Shelbi in the Jones Gown
In a Tuscan Villa, the couple eloped in the company of 19 of their closest friends and family, creating an intimate celebration.
A Surprise Proposal by the River
An Instagram follower of Shelbi’s played matchmaker when they introduced her to Bobby, and from the moment they met, she felt at home with him. Shelbi couldn’t get enough and always wanted to be wherever Bobby was. Known for loving surprises but being notoriously hard to catch off guard, it was only fitting that Shelbi accidentally planned her surprise engagement. The occasion was her fiancé’s 35th birthday and their first St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago, so Shelbi organised a celebration with family and friends who travelled to join them in the city that knows how to mark the occasion best. Unknown to her, Bobby had an even bigger plan in store.
On Friday night, they met everyone for dinner at Gibson’s Italia on the river. As they stepped out of the Uber, strolling along the river with the city lights sparkling in the background, Bobby asked if they could take a quick photo before heading in. After taking a selfie, he turned to her and said, “I have one more question to ask you.” Then, to her surprise, Bobby dropped to one knee and asked Shelbi to be his forever. Overwhelmed with emotion, she hardly noticed their friend capturing every moment—or that their friends and family were watching from inside the restaurant. “It was truly perfect in every way,” Shelbi shares.
A Destination Elopement in Tuscany, Italy
The couple chose to elope to Tuscany, Italy, in the company of 19 of their closest friends and family, creating an intimate celebration at the breathtaking Villa Marchese. Discovered by the bride’s sisters just weeks before the wedding, the villa was everything they had envisioned—an enchanting Tuscan retreat that perfectly balanced romance and charm. With only one available date remaining for the year, the decision was instant: they couldn’t wait another moment to become husband and wife.
On the morning of the wedding, the couple shared a private vow reading—standing on opposite corners of the villa so they wouldn’t see each other before the ceremony. It was a deeply personal moment, quiet and full of emotion, that set the tone for the rest of the day. “I loved how special it was that it was just us, and it also helped to get a lot of the tears under control for the rest of the day,” Shelbi shares. But it was seeing each other at the altar for the first time that was the bride’s favourite moment. “For someone who loves surprises, this is one of the best ones of them all.” Their first dance as husband and wife, to Chris Stapleton’s “Starting Over,” brought all kinds of emotion, a reflection of all the new beginnings they had shared.
Shelbi’s Bridal Experience
The moment Shelbi tried on the Jones gown, she knew it was ‘The One.’ She wanted something timeless and elegant, a dress that felt effortless while highlighting her natural features. Jones was perfect—minimalist yet bold, with its plunging back and front slit. Paired with the Pierlot veil, Shelbi highlights that “the two together didn’t need anything else.” The bride kept her accessories simple, paired with sentimental jewellery borrowed from her grandmother, making her feel connected to family.
Finding the dress was just as special. At our Chicago bridal boutique, with its natural light and city views, her bridal stylist pulled our ready-to-wear options since the wedding was six weeks away. Her sister came along, and her mum and other sister joined via FaceTime so they could all share the moment she said “Yes” to the dress. It was everything she’d hoped for and more.
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