Paul Michaels Events recently had the pleasure of celebrating with Allison and Taylor at the Morton Arboretum’s stunning new Firefly Pavilion. Surrounded by lush muted greenery and natural beauty, the venue provided the perfect backdrop for this incredibly heartfelt and unique wedding celebration. To make this wedding absolutely perfect, we had DJ Paul Michaels and assistant Nick on site, and provided our experience package.

This wedding held a special place in DJ Paul’s heart, as he’s known Taylor for several years through Paul Michaels Events’ work with Trybal Gatherings – a weekend retreat for Jewish adults to relive the magic of summer camp. Paul serves as the resident DJ for the Midwest gatherings and has also known Taylor through Etz Chaim Synagogue in Lombard, Illinois. So when the opportunity came to be part of such a meaningful day for someone he considers a friend, it was a true honor.

The ceremony was a beautiful blend of cultures and traditions, officiated by Rabbi Andrea Cosnowsky of Etz Chaim. One of the most touching moments came during a traditional Thai ritual known as “thai’ing the knot,” where Taylor’s brother played acoustic guitar to accompany the ceremony. It was a quiet, intimate gesture that carried deep significance and added to the rich, personal nature of the celebration.

After the ceremony, guests enjoyed a relaxed cocktail hour on the lawn, taking full advantage of the perfect summer weather with lawn games and drinks. The laid-back atmosphere created the ideal transition into a reception that was anything but ordinary. Allison and Taylor embraced their creativity with a grand entrance that was completely original and full of personality. Instead of the typical music cues, Allison planned for their entrance to feature friends wielding kids’ percussion instruments – such as recorders and wood blocks from elementary school music class – which brought playful energy and a lot of smiles. It was whimsical, unexpected, and so authentically them.

Rather than sharing a traditional first dance, Allison had something truly special in mind. With the help of Paul Michaels Events, she surprised Taylor with a custom-produced video of herself singing the song he thought they’d be dancing to. We provided the screen and projector to make this heartfelt moment come to life, creating a memory that was deeply emotional and incredibly personal. It was clear that every detail was planned with intention and love.

Once the dance floor opened, there was no slowing down. The newlyweds and their guests danced to an eclectic blend of music – everything from classic singalongs to high-energy favorites. The mix reflected the couple’s fun-loving spirit and kept the energy high until the very last song. There was singing, dancing, laughter, and pure celebration from start to finish.

We’re so grateful to Allison and Taylor for trusting Paul Michaels Events to be such a big part of their day. Their wedding was filled with love, creativity, and moments that made it truly one of a kind. It’s celebrations like these that remind us why we love what we do – bringing people together through music and making unforgettable memories along the way. Thank you to our happy couple for helping us make your special day the best day ever!

Vendors we had the pleasure of working with:

Venue: Morton Arboretum
Planner: Marryment
Photographer: Thomas Doggett
Videographer: Gino Russano
Caterer: Ginkgo Catering (internal catering team of Morton Arboretum)
Florist: Upstate Petals & Parties
Cake: Le Chocolat du Bouchard