A Chicago Love Story for One Louisville Girl

When it comes to love, when you know, you know.

Rachel Klein, a 2010 Indiana University graduate, made the move from Louisville to Chicago in 2011. One year later, in April 2012, she met David Chaimovitz, who also attended Indiana University, though their paths never crossed. He was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago but had just moved into an apartment in Lincoln Park with one of their mutual college friends. Rachel went over to their place one night, and she and David hit it off. The two started off as friends, but by June he had tricked her into going on a date with him to Chinatown. Rachel had no idea it was a date. In fact, she’s pretty certain she wore flip flops and gym clothes, but when he paid for dinner it became pretty clear. Two days later he was telling everyone he had met his wife, and Rachel was introduced to all of his friends and family within a week.

David proposed to Rachel on October 31, 2015, on a visit to Louisville for Rachel’s grandmother’s 90th birthday. He asked her to go for a walk through her childhood home’s wooded neighborhood, got down on one knee in the middle of the street and asked if she would spend the rest of her life with him.

She, of course, said yes.

Rachel loved the classic lace, dramatic train and bohemian feel of the Martina Liana gown.

A gorgeous bouquet and stunning shoes

Rachel found her dress after trying on only five dresses, but she insisted on trying on about 40 more just to be sure she’d really found “the one.” Ultimately, she went with the Martina Liana 744 from Rebecca’s Wedding Boutique because she loved the classic lace, dramatic train and bohemian feel. To complete her ceremony look, Rachel borrowed a pair of earrings from her Aunt Gina that had also previously belonged to her grandmother Shirley. To incorporate “something blue,” at the time of the wedding Rachel had a streak of blue that peeked out from her updo. Nothing too dramatic, but it was a subtle way to stay true to her personal style. Rachel wore a custom leather motorcycle jacket as her something new, which she wore during the reception once the temperature dropped. To add a little something special to the jacket, Rachel painted her new abbreviated last name across the back in a big heart.

Look at that train!

“My something old was the bracelet I wore,” Rachel says. “It was originally a 1920s watch owned by my great-grandmother, that my late maternal grandmother, Shirley, converted into a bracelet.”

Your little girl’s all grown up, Dad!

Rachel and David tied the knot at Yew Dell Botanical Gardens on October 9, 2016.

Such beautiful looks for the bridal party

David and his groomsmen

Rachel’s cousin’s children, Amelia and Oliver, pose with the bride and groom. Amelia was the flower girl and Oliver decided to follow her down the aisle too!

Rachel and David during their Ketubah signing ceremony: The Ketubah (Jewish marriage contract) is a personalized work of art featuring both Hebrew and English that is displayed in their home.

The signing takes place about 30 minutes before the ceremony, when close family gather to share the moment. It was signed by three witnesses (close friends, including the maid of honor), the Rabbi and the bride and groom.

David and his family before the ceremony

Rachel poses with her family before the ceremony.

Rachel and David decided to write their own vows and made it a point to keep their vows a secret from each other until they were under the chuppah, the Jewish wedding canopy, where the ceremony takes place. “We wanted all of our guests to feel the love we have for each other,” Rachel says. “We believed personal vows would help everyone focus on what is really important – our marriage.”

While standing under the chuppah, the couple was draped with a talit, a Jewish prayer shawl that represents the Jewish life the couple will share, which was given to David by his late grandmother Barbara. “Even though Barbara couldn’t be there with us on this important day, it was a meaningful way for us to feel that her spirit was present,” says Rachel.

David looking at Rachel walking down the aisle is the way every girl wants to be looked at on her wedding day!

David’s late grandmother Barbara gave him the talit (Jewish prayer shawl), which was draped around the couple during the ceremony to represent the Jewish life they will share.

You may kiss the bride!

The happy couple make their exit among a crowd of smiles and applause.

Rachel and David’s wedding will surely be a day they treasure in their hearts for years to come.

It was a no-brainer for Rachel when it came to the location of her wedding. She fell in love with Yew Dell Gardens long before she had met David. It was when she spent Father’s Day 2010 with her parents at the venue that she told them with no uncertainty, Yew Dell would be the location where she got married. When David and Rachel became engaged, she knew just who to call. “I wanted the aesthetic of our wedding to match our personal taste and to reflect the way we decorate our home,” Rachel says.

Because of the location of the wedding, it was important to Rachel and for her wedding planner, Allyson Nestor of Essential Details, to take advantage of the natural beauty of the venue. This meant not sticking to any “wedding colors,” but rather going with wild, natural flowers and pops of gold in the decor. Rachel chose a variety of natural greenery, blush garden roses, black baccara roses, astilbe, blue thistle and white anemones with black centers for the flower arrangements. Everything was arranged to be cascading and wild to mirror the environment in which they were getting married. They incorporated gold chargers, vases and tea lights to add a little glamour, and Rachel DIYed agate table numbers to incorporate her love of crystals.

An absolutely beautiful reception

Let’s eat!

A four-tier naked cake was served as dessert. The bottom and top layers were caramel; the second, coconut; and the third was raspberry.

“I have a major sweet tooth,” Rachel says. “It was impossible to pick just one flavor.”

The couple shared their first dance to “You’re the One” by The Black Keys.

Rachel danced with her father to “In My Life” by The Beatles.

At most Jewish weddings everyone dances the Hora, a traditional Israeli circle dance. It gets pretty rowdy as everyone dances in a circle and the guests of honor are lifted into the air on chairs. David had emergency thumb surgery just six days before the wedding due to a flag football accident, so he could only hold on with one hand!