The latest couple in The Chupi Wedding Series are a couple who are very close to our hearts here at Chupi, Elisa and Paul. Elisa joined the Chupi Team recently, and we knew we had to share her gorgeous wedding and engagement story. Elisa tells us the gorgeous story of their wedding day in Dublin City Hall last November.

We met in a bar in Chicago! Elisa, who is from the States spent the summer of 2016 backpacking around Europe meanwhile Paul spent his summer on his J1 in Chicago. Once Elisa returned to Chicago from her trip they coincidentally met at a bar in Wrigleyville not realizing it was Paul’s last week before returning home to Ireland.

We eventually spent much of his last week together thinking we would maybe keep in touch and maybe meet up eventually in Dublin during one of Elisa’s inevitable trips to Dublin (Elisa studied abroad in Ireland while in university and instantly fell in love). We never really thought we would quickly end up in a long distance relationship. However as soon as Paul arrived back home they spent hours everyday talking and video chatting. From there Elisa quickly booked a trip out to visit (again any excuse, ha!)–and as they say, the rest is history!

Being a long distance couple for about 2 and a half years we figured Paddy’s Day weekend in Chicago would be a good time for Paul to come visit and experience an Irish-American Paddy’s Day. After a weekend full of pints, celebrations, and the green river we figured some time outside of the city was needed. We drove to Starved Rock State Park a couple hours outside Chicago for a long day of hiking. After what felt like forever we arrived at a waterfall with no one around. I started taking pictures when I heard Paul say my name behind me. Once I turned around Paul was on one knee with the most beautiful ring. I was in such shock I forgot to say yes! It was perfect!

I always knew I wanted Chupi to be a part of my engagement and wedding! It was a no brainer!

We got married on November 27th, 2019 at City Hall in Dublin with a small reception at Drury Buildings and quick pit stop for a pint (of course!). We knew we wanted to get married in Dublin! Despite meeting in Chicago-Dublin is where we truly fell in love. We spent a summer living in Rathmines together and Dublin was always a backdrop in our relationship throughout the many visits back and forth to visit each other.

It was beyond perfect! Coming from a big traditional Mexican family we wanted to blend the two cultures as much as could. Our wedding was on the smaller side as we really wanted to spend time and enjoy our time with our guests. We had plans to hold a second celebration stateside but have it on hold due to the pandemic.

It was super special to see our two cultures blend in that moment surrounded by loved ones who have been there for us since the very beginning.

Paul and myself had our first look at the Guinness Storehouse as we definitely bonded over our love of Guinness the night we met. It was super special walking around Dublin for our photos in areas we spent time getting to know each other.

Our wedding ceremony was at Dublin City Hall and there is no denying it’s beauty. After our ceremony we surprised our guests with a mariachi band (traditional Mexican folk music), the first to play for a wedding ceremony at City Hall! Our 40 guests and ourselves walked over to the Stags Head for a quick pint with our small wedding party in tow carrying a “Just Married” sign while everyone cheered as we walked to Drury Buildings for our reception.

After dinner we broke a pinata and even indulged in my mother’s homemade “mexican wedding cookies” along with a delish cake made by Cove Cake Design (and the cake toppers I made when I was 4 years old even made an appearance) and danced the night away!

The whole day was unreal and perfect in every way! Walking around Dublin dressed in our wedding day best while everyone walking by cheering us on is up there on the list! Passing by The Stags Head there was a big tour group cheering us on and shouting to kiss in Spanish was funny since Paul and myself are a bit more shy.

My You Me Magic ring was always a reminder that our time apart wouldn’t last much longer until we would finally be reunited together in Ireland and now represents our future together!

But towards the end of the night Paul had requested to end the reception with some of his favorite traditional Irish tunes which everyone including my Mexican family from the States joined in. It was super special to see our two cultures blend in that moment surrounded by loved ones who have been there for us since the very beginning.

I knew what style of dress I wanted. I came across a bridal studio in Chicago I passed by everyday on my commute to work, Alice in Ivory. I found an Alexandra Grecco dress on their Instagram and fell in love! It was the second shop I went to and the first dress I tried on and instantly knew it was the one! Being a California girl I ordered Vans sneakers and in green to go with our colour scheme as I knew I would be on my feet all day and wanted to be comfortable.

I always knew I wanted Chupi to be a part of my engagement and wedding! It was a no brainer! My engagement ring is the You, Me and Magic . Paul knocked it out of the park! For the past couple years Paul always gets me a Chupi piece for our anniversary . Right before our wedding we met up in Toronto for our anniversary and the last time we would see each other before we got married. He gifted me a beautiful Chupi bracelet which I had secretly been wanting for our wedding day!

I didn’t have a traditional wedding party with loads of bridesmaids since we had a small wedding already. So I knew I wanted to give my mom and sister, my maid of honour something special and it had to be Chupi!

My engagement ring is important to me in particular since my now husband and myself have been long distance for just about our entire relationship (between Dublin and Chicago) until just recently. Yes, even after we got married last November here in Dublin I had to return to the States to wrap everything up. Our plans for me to move over were pushed back due to COVID numerous times until eventually I was able to finally get on a plane in July and move over. My You Me Magic ring was always a reminder that our time apart wouldn’t last much longer until we would finally be reunited together in Ireland and now represents our future together!

I didn’t have a traditional wedding party with loads of bridesmaids since we had a small wedding already. So I knew I wanted to give my mom and sister, my maid of honour something special and it had to be Chupi! So I gifted my mom the Worth Your Weight Coin necklace as she could have a piece of Ireland with her and my sister the Y ou Are the Sun and You are the Moon stud earrings . The earrings are special since they are like friendship earrings. We both have a moon and sun. It’s extra special since I’ve moved to Ireland and away from my sister back home. So the earrings symbolise how we are still close despite the distance.

I went to the flagship store over the summer before our wedding to look at pieces while I was in town and the staff as always was beyond friendly and helpful! I knew after narrowing my choices a couple days before our wedding myself and Paul popped into the store to look at a couple more pieces but ultimately ended up with the pieces I had chosen a couple months back. Every time I come and visit popping into the store is always a MUST for me. Everyone is so welcoming! So much that I wanted to be a part of the team when it came to looking for jobs when I moved here!

Photography: John Gillooley
Cake: Cove Cake Design
Venue: Drury Buildings
Flowers: Paper Rock Flower
Dress: Alice In Ivory / Alexandra Grecco

If a Chupi piece was a part of your big day – whether it was in the form of engagement rings, wedding bands, earrings or a beautiful necklace, we’d love to hear from you and feature you on the Chupi Journal . Find more details on the Chupi Wedding Series here .