It’s not every day you get asked to throw a fake wedding, but for Danielle Tufano, the occasion was a perfect idea for a foolishly good time.
Tufano, of radio station 95.9 The River, was asked to help with the opening of Elements on Water Street and Hotel Indigo in Downtown Naperville by having her wedding on their opening day. But there was just one problem – she didn’t have a groom. So instead, she thought the wedding would still go on, but it’d be better celebrated with the community.
Held on April Fools Day, the fun kicked off at Ten Friends, a styling house in Naperville. Danielle and her fake bridal party had their hair and makeup done, bringing even more community organizations together for the event.
“While I don’t live in Naperville I volunteer a lot in Naperville because it’s turned into this really special community where events like this and charities come together and they like helping people out and it’s not easy to find that in other communities. There’s something really special about Naperville that has allowed us to do an event like this and allowed us to do it so successfully. And the fact that we have the support of the mayor and his wife has been amazing too,” said Tufano, morning co-host and program director of The River.
The party really got started later with a live band and appetizers before the grand entrance by the guest of honor herself.
Mayor Steve Chirico and his wife Julie were the fake best man and fake matron of honor, giving fun speeches and of course dancing.
The fake wedding idea came from Elements owner Dave Miller, who found the project a long awaited celebration for downtown.
“We’re open, people are finally having fun, the look on people’s faces when they come in is awesome, and this is going to be the gathering place for memories, for people to have their weddings here and to have their celebrations, and really enjoy what elements is, the hospitality, the service, and also the downtown Naperville location,” said Miller, the owner and managing director of Elements.
Tufano’s wedding gifts were non-perishable donations to Loaves and Fishes, tying a local charity to the fake wedding fun.
Naperville News 17’s Christine Lena reports.