Ever after: Tracy Campbell & James Hulshof

Tracy Campbell and James Hulshof agree that their first date didn’t exactly go as planned. “It was a disaster!” laughs Campbell. First, Hulshof admitted he’d forgotten to make a reservation at the Pump Room on a busy Friday night, and at the start of the date, his colleagues showed up and crashed the occasion. At the end of the evening, when the bill came, Hulshof handed over his credit card only to find out they didn’t accept Discover. But despite his three strikes, Campbell gave Hulshof another chance. “It was the best decision I’ve ever made,” she says.

Hulshoff, Red Bull’s district manager, was able to win over Campell, a dermatologist, on the many dates that followed, and after a two-year courtship, the pair tied the knot this winter at St. Michael’s (1633 N. Cleveland). The soirée continued at Trump International Hotel & Tower (401 N. Wabash), where planner Rachel Bradley created a Chicago-centric winter wonderland for the couple and their 140 guests. Stunning crystal candelabras stood as tabletop centerpieces, while multiple ice sculptures decked the room, including a martini ice luge in the shape of the city’s skyline. Even the couple’s nine-tier wedding cake included a mini-Willis Tower in silver fondant icing. Despite their not-so-perfect beginning, Campbell says it was the perfect wedding. “I was just so happy the entire day. I’m so lucky I married this man.”

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IT’S IN THE DETAILS

Planner: Rachel Bradley, Rachel Bradley Events; Rachelbradleyevents.com

Reception venue and catering: Trump Hotel Chicago, 401 N. Wabash; Trumphotelcollection.com/chicago 

Band: Becca Kaufman Orchestra; Beccakaufmanorchestra.com

Florist: Richard Remiard Design, 451 N. Paulina; Richardremiard.com

Photographer: Jai Girard Photography, 1358 N. Campbell; Jaigirard.com

Videographer: REM Video; Remvp.com

Ice sculptures: Nadeau Ice Sculptures; Nadeauice.com

Cake: Cake Chicago, 1635 N. Walnut; Cake-chicago.com

Hair: Frankie Christina, (708) 307-0890; Frankiechristina.com

Makeup: Stella Mikhail, (847) 845-0812; [email protected]

Invitations: Pulp & Ink, 1344 N. Wells; Pulpandink.com