Exclusive: Go Inside Chicago Cub Kris Bryant and Jessica Delp's Las Vegas Wedding

Jessica and Kris Bryant

There's a T-shirt seen around Chicago these days that reads, "Be yourself. Unless you can be Kris Bryant. Then be Kris Bryant." How does a person become the subject of a T-shirt like that? The short answer: He just had the year of his life. In 2016, his second season in the majors, the Cubs third baseman helped lead his team to its first World Series win since 1908, and in the process was named National League MVP. Then he followed it all by marrying his sweetheart—which we'll admit is our favorite part of the story.

It was Jessica Delp's mom who first mentioned the cute boy on her brother's baseball team at their Las Vegas high school in late 2006. "I told her to stop," Jess recalls. "But then I met him and thought, Mom was right." Jess, an athlete herself, was outgoing; Kris was shy. She was on student council; he helped her with geometry. They started dating sophomore year and never looked back.

Though his schedule—and her school and work as a retail manager—meant they spent large chunks of time apart, they always returned to each other, and to their hometown. He proposed on Christmas Eve 2015, and soon after, the self-described homebodies put together an uncomplicated vision for their celebration: Vegas, but not the Strip; elegant, not trendy. "I wanted our guests of every age to think it was beautiful," says Jess.

Early in their planning, someone suggested a doughnut stand, and Kris's eyes lit up. He told Jess, "I don't care where we get married, but there will be doughnuts." And so, after the couple took their vows in a Christian ceremony in the foyer of the JW Marriott hotel—a luxury resort about 20 minutes from downtown Vegas—their 225 guests were greeted with a doughnut–escort card wall that proved to be one of the most popular details of the party. The night continued with dinner, dancing, and more sweets, but perhaps the sweetest part was the end. As some guests hit the town, Jess and Kris drove the mile to their brand-new house—where they'd spent only one night so far. They snacked and relaxed after a wedding they remember as flawless. As Kris says, "It was a great way to end an unforgettable time in our lives."

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The Invitation

jessica and kris bryant wedding invitation — J. Anne Photography

She Paperie created Kris and Jess's wedding invitation: an oversized card of double thick 100% cotton paper, printed with gold foil. A handmade-paper gatefold held the card along with enclosures and was secured with cotton twine and a gold wax seal featuring the couple's logo.

See More Beautiful Wedding Invitations with Gold Details

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The Rings

jessica and kris bryant wedding rings — J. Anne Photography

Of the engagement, "She knew it was coming, so I had to think of a way to surprise her," says Kris, who presented an engraved ornament to Jess on Christmas Eve. It had a heart that read, "Will you marry me?" When Jess turned around after reading the message, he was down on one knee with the diamond ring, ready to propose. Kris knew the style Jess wanted for her engagement ring. "After eight years, he had seen my Pinterest board a time or two!" she laughs.

Her wedding band matched in style. His band was similarly ringed with diamonds. "I wanted something black with black diamonds," Kris says. "If Jess gets diamonds, then I get diamonds too!"

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The Happy Couple

jessica and kris bryant bridal party — J. Anne Photography

Kris wore a navy tux by Cedric's Custom Apparel (as did his groomsmen); Jess wore a gown by Ines Di Santo. "It was the first dress I ever tried on! I knew it was the one," she recalls.

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Well Heeled

jessica and kris bryant heels — J. Anne Photography

Of her black-lace Jimmy Choo pumps, "I felt like you only see them for photos so why not spice it up a bit?" says Jess. "Also, I was big on getting things I could reuse—if I love it so much for my wedding day I want to be able to wear it again!"

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Sparkling Bridesmaids

jessica and kris bryant bridesmaids — J. Anne Photography

Jess's sister and two best friends, along with her brother's girlfriend (now fiancée), were bridesmaids. The flower girl was the daughter of a former teammate who is Kris's close friend.

Check Out More Incredible Metallic Bridesmaids' Dresses

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Help from a Little One

jessica and kris bryant flower girl — J. Anne Photography

In a quiet pre-wedding moment, the couple's flower girl helped Kris open a gift.

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The First Look

jessica and kris bryant first look — J. Anne Photography

Even in her Jimmy Choos, Jess had to look up to meet the gaze of her 6'5" groom. The pair shared a happy hug during their pre-ceremony first look. "This moment was the best part," Kris says, "because it gave us time to be together, just us, on our wedding day."

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A Moment with Mom

jessica and kris bryant mother of bride — J. Anne Photography

The bride smiles with her mother, Yoko Delp.

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Like Father, Like Son

jessica and kris bryant father — J. Anne Photography

Kris and his dad, Mike Bryant, share a smile. Mike, a former pro baseball player himself, was Kris's first coach and biggest fan.

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Beauty Overhead

jessica and kris bryant chandelier — J. Anne Photography

The chandeliers illuminating the hotel's Grand Foyer were draped with southern smilax and accents of roses and garden roses—echoing elements of the ceremony arch and other décor that the floral designers at Layers of Lovely brought to the space.

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A Grand Entrance

jessica and kris bryant ceremony setting — J. Anne Photography

Shades of blush and ivory, with accents of burgundy, brought warmth and light to the petal-strewn ceremony space.

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The Ceremony

jessica and kris bryant ceremony couple — J. Anne Photography

The florists from Layers of Lovely used Jess's chosen palette of blush and burgundy to bring warmth and lightness to the hotel's Grand Foyer space. The ceremony took place beneath a dramatic arch of greenery and blooms.

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A Teammate and Groomsman

jessica and kris bryant groomsman — J. Anne Photography

Kris's teammate and close friend, first baseman Anthony Rizzo, was among the groomsmen (another friend and the bride's and groom's brothers rounded out the party).

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The Boutonnieres

jessica and kris bryant boutonnieres — J. Anne Photography

The simple, elegant boutonnières featured white hellebore and burgundy ranunculus.

See More Boutonniere Ideas You'll Both Love

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Role Model

jessica and kris bryant grandfather — J. Anne Photography

Kris poses with his grandfather, Jack Braidman. Having just celebrated their own 64th anniversary shortly before the wedding, Kris's grandparents were something of honored guests: "We handed them the bouquet instead of tossing it," says Jess, "letting them know they were an inspiration for us."

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Mocktail Menu

jessica and kris bryant cocktail menu — J. Anne Photography

As non-drinkers, Jess and Kris made a priority of offering non-alcoholic drinks with flair. "It's always a struggle to find a drink at weddings, and you don't always want water or lemonade," she says. Wanting everyone to feel welcome, have a good time, and let loose, they offered a full bar and chose recipes—the sangria-inspired "Jessie's Juice," and cranberry-martini-inspired "Kris's Kocktail"—that could easily be spiked with wine or booze.

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That's So Sweet

jessica and kris bryant donut wall — J. Anne Photography

"Nothing says love like seven hundred doughnuts!" says planner Angelica McDonnell of Green Orchid Events. Each guest received a doughnut with an escort card—and another round for dessert.

Cute on-theme phrases—like "Donut You Want Me;" "Donut stop, Get it Get it;" and "Donut Worry, Be Happy"—were printed to accompany the dessert-wall display. All the donuts for the evening were made by local shop Donut Mania, and were gobbled up by everyone but the groom himself. "I only had one and a half because we were so busy talking!" says Kris.

More Ways to Serve Donuts on Your Big Day

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Friendly Faces

jessica and kris bryant wedding guests — J. Anne Photography

Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo grins with his girlfriend Emily Vakos at the reception. Teammates and friends, Rizzo and Bryant have earned the nickname "Bryzzo" by fans.

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The Reception Décor

jessica and kris bryant table — J. Anne Photography

Tables lined with lush arrangements and candles set the elegant but comfortable mood—much like that of a family dinner with all their closest loved ones—that Jess and Kris wanted for the evening.

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The Centerpieces

jessica and kris bryant centerpiece — J. Anne Photography

Dinner tables continued the blush and burgundy palette with centerpieces of mixed foliage with roses, garden roses, spray roses, chocolate cosmos, hellebores, and ranunculus.

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Dancing the Night Away

jessica and kris bryant ring bearer — J. Anne Photography

Even the youngest wedding guests had a blast on the dance floor, which was adorned with the couple's monogram—the same emblem used on menus, table numbers, and other décor throughout the reception.

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A Sweet Ending

jessica and kris bryant cake donuts — J. Anne Photography

A second doughnut wall accompanied the five-tier vanilla-and-chocolate wedding cake, along with favor bags so guests could grab a treat to go at the end of the night.

Edible Favor Ideas Your Guests Will Love

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The Last Dance

couple watching fireworks — J. Anne Photography

Kris and Jess danced to "Home" by Blue October at the end of the evening, under the lights of the terrace. "We couldn't decide between two songs," says Jess, "so we decided to do a last dance [as well as a first]. We loved that we could go outside and be under the lights and the sparklers, with all our guests there to send us off."

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