New Year’s Eve Adler Planetarium Wedding–Jordan and Bakari

Jordan and I went to high school together, so when I got an email from her just after the new year saying she wanted to chat about her wedding I was thrilled!  She had just taken on a new, very demanding job, so fairly quickly turned the reins over to her mom, Lynne (with final approval from the happy couple, of course!) and away we went.  We looked at several different venues before landing on Adler Planetarium, which turned out to be the absolute perfect location for their fun and festive New Year’s Eve celebration.

Wedding day started at the Renaissance Chicago where Jordan and her bridesmaids relaxed in their matching robes and prepared for the big day ahead.  Jordan had her hair done by her longtime stylist Johnny Jamison, and the ladies were beautifully made up by Ruth Davis Beauty.  Meanwhile, a few floors below, Bakari and his groomsmen were hanging out and attempting to keep the debauchery to a minimum–or so they said.

After photographer Christy Tyler had photographed all the details, Jordan put on her intricately beaded gown and prepared to meet her groom.

We were able to find a tucked away corner of the Renaissance for the couple’s first look.  Throughout the planning process, Bakari had mostly shown his dry sense of humor–rarely cracking a smile.  I felt privileged to witness his wide grin upon seeing his bride for the first time.  I can’t say for sure–but I think there may have even been a twinkle of a tear in the corner of one eye!

The wedding party gathered in the lobby to prepare to head out for photos in the Windy City Limo bus.  The ladies were dressed to the nines in their beautiful and bold raspberry colored gowns and clutching lovely bouquets created by StemLine Creative.  And the group of gentlemen looked quite dapper in their classic black tuxes.  They headed straight for the classic grandeur of Union Station to take some group photos.

Meanwhile, the Five Grain Events, StemLine Creative, Food for Thought, and MDM Entertainment teams were busy sprucing up Café Galileo into a pristine venue for the couple’s ceremony.

As the wedding party processed in to the soothing sounds of a string quartet from Artistrings, the Chicago skyline glowed in the background–perfectly framed by the ceremony arch awash in twinkling lights.

Jordan and Bakari’s ceremony was officiated by a friend of the family who flew from Seattle to preside over the service.  For the final element, Lynne created the decorated broom which Jordan and Bakari jumped over to symbolize the sweeping away of the old and the welcoming of the new–and marking the beginning of making a home together.

Cocktail hour was held in Adler’s Welcome Gallery.  Food for Thought staff passed blue “Yalie” cocktails (as a nod to their Alma Mater) and delicious hors d’oeuvres.

One of my favorite details Jordan and Bakari chose to include was the escort cards perched on champagne flutes (concepted by Lynne/Jordan and crafted by Studio M Creations).  The display looked amazing and it was such a fun way to get the New Year’s Eve festivities off on the right foot.

Inside the Café, the room had been completely changed over to the reception setup.  Each table was numbered with a different New Year’s resolution and featured opulent floral displays in berries, whites, and mixed metallics by StemLine.  MDM Entertainment had hung silver pendants resembling fireworks over the dance floor and excitement was truly in the air.

Jordan and Bakari entered the room to wild cheers and immediately shared their first dance played by Emily of  Toast and Jam DJs.  After a few toasts and a blessing, guests were treated to a decadent duet plate of Grilled Skirt Steak and Pan-Roasted Diver Scallops from Food for Thought.

After dinner, dancing kicked off and these folks were ready to party!  A step-and-repeat banner paired with some polaroid cameras made for some hilarious entertainment (and probably some blackmail-able photos).  Dessert consisted of mouth-watering Stan’s Donuts which were almost completely gone within minutes of being placed out on the table!

At a typical wedding reception this would be where the story would end, but there was oh-so-much-more in store.  Around 11:45 we began distributing hats, necklaces, blowers, and noise-makers in anticipation of the big “countdown”.  At 11:59:50, the group turned toward the countdown displayed on the large screen and together said “10…9…8…7…6…5…4…3…2…1…HAPPY NEW YEAR!”.  Toast and Jam hit Auld Lang Syne and immediately the fireworks went off over Lake Michigan–we had the best view in the city!

Jordan and Bakari, it was truly a pleasure to be a part of this experience with you!  Wishing you many more Happy New Years together!