Blair Culwell & Robert Staky
Elizabeth Blair Culwell and Robert Channing Staky exchanged wedding vows July 26, 2014 at the Chicago History Museum, the city’s oldest cultural institution. The ceremony was officiated by Rev. David Angle.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Wendell Culwell of University Park. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Brantley Cleveland Booe Jr. of Highland Park, and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wendell Culwell, of Dallas, formerly of Highland Park.
The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Staky of Denver, Colo. He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Dungan of Bella Vista, Ark., Mrs. Robert Staky, and the late Mr. Staky of Wheaton, Ill.
The bride was presented in marriage by her parents and escorted down the aisle by her father. Her heirloom gown, originally worn by her mother and maternal aunt, was completely redesigned by Patti Flowers, of Patti Flowers Design Studio. A candlelight gown of delicate Alencon and Lyon laces, its molded lace bodice was intricately beaded with clusters of tiny seed pearls. Its V-neckline, extended to her shoulders, with sheer silk English tulle leading to a deep, open back. Her A-line skirt of Lyon lace fell from a fitted natural waist to chapel-length. Accents of beaded Alencon lace swept from gentle gathers to a chapel-length train in scalloped panels of lace. To complement her gown, Blair wore the original veil of ivory silk illusion worn by her mother. The delicate scallop-edged design was adorned with clusters of seed pearls and cascaded down past the length of her train. The bride’s aquamarine necklace, her “something blue,” was previously owned by her maternal great-grandmother.
Assisting the bride as maids of honor were her sisters Katherine Adrianne Culwell and Caroline Christianson Culwell. Bridesmaids included Arleigh Victoria Andrews, Amy Elizabeth Douthey, Caroline Claire Lockwood, Layne Catherine Ogden, Adria Elizabeth Staky, and Erin Frost Vaughan.
Attending the groom as best man was Julius Bolden Askew IV. Groomsmen included Nathan Dean Arnold, Andrew Michael Brandes, Ryan Daniel Carr, George Thomas Cassin, Brandon Douglas Chamberlin, Jarrod Hutchinson Cox, and Michael Andrew Zoellner. Ushers were John Thomas Deters and Matthew James Kiesel.
The bride is a graduate of Highland Park High School. She received her Bachelor of Science in advertising and public relations, with a minor in studio art, from Texas Christian University where she was a also member of Delta Delta Delta. Blair is a blog designer, blogger and abstract artist.
The groom is a graduate of Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora, Colo. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration in finance, with a minor in accounting and Spanish, from Texas Christian University where he was a member of Lambda Chi. Robert is employed in private equity.
Following their wedding trip to Southeast Asia the couple have made Chicago their home.
