The Drake Hotel – Lexi and Mike

The day, September 9, 2017. The weather, 70 degrees and picture perfect.  The couple, as cute, fun, and perfect as they come.  Ed and Aileen of Ed & Aileen Photography, along with Lightfield Lewis of Lightfield Video were there to capture the day’s festivities from the start.  The ladies gathered at the Drake Hotel’s breathtaking Princess Diana suite which created the perfect environment for getting ready and capturing the beauty, energy and excitement of the day to come.

The ladies were more than ready to put on their gorgeous mauve floor length dresses after hair and make up was done by Three One Two Bridal and Diem Angie.  The flowers were equally as breathtaking: The Foxglove Studio had created lush bouquets filled with ​pale​ ​pinks,​ ​hints of burgundy,​ ​protea,​ ​spray​ ​rose, and ​cappuccino​ ​roses.

The men gathered at the Drake Hotel as well for some sliders, beverages, and the Iowa Hawkeye game. Although they kept it light and easy they were dressed to a T in their tuxes and looked dapper as ever.

Before we knew it, Chicago Trolley and Double Decker was in place to take the bridal party off to St Michael’s Old Town.

The sun was beaming on St Michael’s Old Town and the vaulted ceilings created the perfect backdrop for Lexi and Mike to say “I do”.

The ceremony was full of love, laughter, and joy. Mike’s father’s band played beautiful music throughout the ceremony. Lexi’s parents could not help but feel a bit of nostalgia for the church where they also said their vows decades before. Many personal touches made this ceremony one to remember for everyone involved.

After the “I do’s”, Lexi and Mike departed the church and immediately took off on a horse drawn carriage ride from Chicago Carriage, just as Lexi’s parents had following their ceremony at St. Mike’s many years before.  You couldn’t help but get wrapped up in all the beautiful memories and traditions theses two were creating.

After their short carriage ride through the city, Lexi and Mike joined the bridal party aboard the trolley and took off for photos at Fourth Presbyterian Church as well as some other favorite locations around Chicago.

Lexi and Mike were stunned at the transformation of The Gold Coast Room at the Drake Hotel which was truly the perfect space to celebrate and dance the night away.  Chicago Lighting Design did a great job illuminating the space.  Lexi and Mike took time to practice their first dance one last time before they showed off for their guests. It was hard to deny the two were perfectly in sync in every way possible.

Once dinner began, the speeches and toasts were thoughtful, hysterical, personal and perfect . Each filled the room with many laughs and happy tears.

It was a very heartfelt moment as Lexi danced with her father to “It Won’t be Like this for Long”. You could see the love and joy on both of their faces and it was hard not to be wrapped up in the dance and moment as much as they were.

Immediately after dances, the crowd danced the night away on the open dance floor. The Gold Coast All Stars kept the dance floor lively until 1am.

Check out Lexi and Mike’s wedding preview here courtesy of Lightfield Lewis.

Lexi, Mike, and their families were an absolute joy to work with.  We wish them all the very best in life, love, and happiness!

Lexi and Mike’s wedding was also featured on Lakeshore In Love.  View their feature HERE!

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