Exclusive: Uche Nwosu and Clinton Moxam's Stunning Chicago Wedding

Uchechi Nicole Nwosu and Clinton Osborn Moxam first met in June 2017 on the MTV dating show "Are You The One?," where they were supposed to find their perfect match based on an algorithm. While the show's formula might not have thought they were each other's ideal partner, Uche and Clinton knew they were meant to be. "We met on a reality TV show and although unconventional, it’s our love story and we wouldn’t change it for the world," shares the couple.

In June 2020, Clinton proposed. Uche decided he was the one she was going to marry and said yes. The couple chose to tie the knot a little over a year later on September 4, 2021 over Labor Day weekend in Chicago. "Chicago has always been an important city in Uche’s life—throughout the pandemic we ended up spending a year together here and Clinton fell in love with the city, too," share the couple. As for the venue? The pair picked the historic Palmer House. "The second we walked in we were sold," they add.

To help bring their 150-person wedding to life, Uche and Clinton hired planner Beth Helmstetter. "Due to the pandemic, there were several hurdles and bumps along the way. We are so grateful that things worked out so perfectly, but between lockdowns and mandates, there were a lot of things we weren’t able to do early on in the process," the couple explain. "Beth made planning so seamless and helped us throughout the entire process. Every question we had was always promptly answered, every dilemma quickly solved, and any idea or vision we had was executed. She is truly the best."

With stunning fashion choice and classic décor, the wedding was definitely the one Uche and Clinton dreamed of. Ahead, take a look into the beautiful wedding planned by Beth Helmstetter Events and photographed by Abby Jiu Photography.

For his look, Clinton went to Men's Wearhouse to find his perfect tux. He decided on one from Vera Wang's line because it was "simple, black, and sleek." For his pre-wedding grooming, Clinton had a re-twisting of his locs and a fresh lineup.

The groomsmen also donned traditional tuxes from Men’s Wearhouse. "Our colors were black so choosing the groomsmen tuxes were easy," the couple shares.

Uche looked absolutely breathtaking in a bold Zuhair Murad gown in rum taffeta. "I actually had went to a bridal shop with my mom to look at a different designer’s trunk show," she says. "My mom and I walked in and saw the dress on the mannequin—they had just got in the day prior—and instantly knew it was the one for me. The second I tried it on, I was sold."

With such a stunning gown full of movement, Uche went for a sleek beauty look with her hair pulled back in loose waves, a nude manicure that matched her dress, and her everyday fragrance Gucci Memoire. "I wanted my look to reflect my personal style," shares the bride. "I wore what I felt confident, beautiful, and most myself in."

Uche's bridesmaids all wore black dresses from Amsale to fit with the elegant feel of the event. "I wanted them to all wear something they felt good in and that they would also rewear," says Uche. "Black is always sleek and I loved that they all had different variations of styles in their dresses."

Uche's father walked her down the aisle to the song "God Only Knows" by The Beach Boys. “We had a string quartet, Innocents Strings, playing music for our ceremony," says Uche.

The couple recited their vows to each other in a room filled with timeless white blooms. “It was always very important to us that we write our own vows. It was such a special moment and felt like we were the only two in the room,” says Uche. She adds, “Both of us may or may not have cried.”

Uche and Clinton made sure their ceremony had plenty of meaningful moments throughout to honor their love and community. "We had a celebrant instead of an officiant—we wanted our ceremony to be a celebration of not only our relationship, but the people who have nurtured and supported us throughout," share the couple. 

"We also had a ring warming within our ceremony, where our bridal party passed our rings around and gave us their well wishes and hopes for our relationship," they say.

"Neither of us expected to be so emotional but it was truly a testament of our love for each other," the couple share.

After saying "I do," the couple recessed to "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" by Stevie Wonder.

Before making their way into the reception, the couple spent a few moments alone together to take photos and walk around Chicago.

"Uche and Clinton celebrated in a chandelier-filled room with guests seated at mirrored-top tables framing a seamless white dance floor," shares planner Beth Helmstetter. "Classic gold-and-white China and gray calligraphed menus were at each place setting, and the tablescapes were created with classic white and green blooms and lots and lots of candlelight."

"While we definitely had some traditional elements, for the most part we wanted our wedding to reflect our own personal style," share the couple. "We also had custom drinks—the 'Cluche,' the 'No Match,' and 'The Reali-tea' as an ode to our reality TV start."

For their first dance, the couple took a turn around the floor to the tune of "Golf On TV" by Lennon Stella.

Later in the night, Uche slipped into a sleek short dress to take on the dance floor. One piece of advice she has for fellow brides? "Get a planner! Wedding planning can get so stressful and having a planner makes it so much easier to focus on the fun elements, especially the day of,” she says.

For their cake, the couple cut into a four-tiered hazelnut buttercream confection from Cake Chicago.

The couple add, "It’s hard to choose a favorite part because from start to finish— from the speeches to the dancing to the cake cutting—everyone was so involved and we felt so loved."