From the moment we first got connected with Colleen and Steven, we knew that they were a special couple. Despite being thrown all the curves with venue changes and date postponements (who doesn’t love sending out three save the dates?!), they maintained a calm, cool composure and were kind to all their vendors throughout the entirety of the planning process. When we finally got the green light to celebrate, we made sure it was a party they’ll always remember!

TimTab Studios

Everyone spent the morning getting ready at The Gwen Hotel. Colleen and her ladies had a blast listening to music and chatting non-stop while Kate Johnson Artistry’s Bridal Team worked their magic. Steven and his groomsmen were just down the hall, and there was a palpable excitement for the festivities to begin.

TimTab Studios

TimTab Studios never ceases to amaze with the calmest energy and on-point preparedness. When Tim pulled out a special board to stage the invitations, rings, and flowers, we weren’t surprised at all to see the color matched Colleen and Steven’s decor to a “t”!

TimTab Studios

It was clear that these two came from close-knit families, as their parents were intimately involved throughout the day. Two moments that always tug at my heartstrings are when mothers help their daughters into the wedding gown, and fathers come to see their “little girl” all ready for her wedding.

TimTab Studios

TimTab Studios

Added bonus of getting ready at The Gwen: private terraces that make for perfect photo backdrops!

TimTab Studios

TimTab Studios

After Colleen and Steven’s first look, the group made their way to the lobby to load onto the trolley from Aries Charter and head around Chicago for some photos. Nothing was going to stop this group from getting the photos they wanted; not even a little mid-day shower! Luckily, we had our trusty clear plastic umbrellas on hand.

TimTab Studios

TimTab Studios

TimTab Studios

TimTab Studios

TimTab Studios

TimTab Studios

In Chicago, even the pigeons get in on the love!

TimTab Studios

TimTab Studios

Fun-fact: Colleen and her bridesmaids got together before the ceremony rehearsal and rehearsal dinner to work with the team at Flowers by Stem to make their bouquets! This was such a fun bonding experience and personal touch that we hope to incorporate for weddings in the future!

TimTab Studios

TimTab Studios

TimTab Studios

The group then made their way to Artifact Events for some on-site photos, meeting a very special guest upon arrival fore the ceremony got underway.

TimTab Studios

Colleen and Steven’s very special pup, Ticket!

TimTab Studios

We are definitely a fan of this color palette for a wedding party. Not overly match-y, but beautifully tied together!

TimTab Studios

Flowers by Stem and Event Brilliance worked together to bring Colleen and Steven’s decor dreams to life. Their original venue had prominent nature and outdoor features, so Flowers by Stem worked to help them bring that to Artifact Events, renting trees to mix in with the other floral decor throughout the space. Colleen and Steven purchased one of the trees so they could then take it back home to plant it and always have a reminder of their wedding day. Kyle of Event Brilliance added the perfect lighting to help bring everything together. We now understand why Steven is so passionate about the power of an uplit tree! 😉

TimTab Studios

TimTab Studios

Just moments before Steven saw Colleen coming down the stairs, he was calm and composed!

TimTab Studios

TimTab Studios

TimTab Studios

Colleen’s family pastor made the trek to Chicago to join these two in marriage, and his service was worth the extra travel!

TimTab Studios

TimTab Studios

TimTab Studios

TimTab Studios

This summertime floral palette is happiness in a vase!

TimTab Studios

Calihan Catering was integral to helping Colleen and Steven find a new venue after their previous spot continued to push back their re-opening date. They put together  a delicious menu, and made sure that the details were on point!

TimTab Studios

TimTab Studios

After dinner and toasts, TVK Orchestra got the dance floor filling up right away…

TimTab Studios

TimTab Studios

… with a little help from a surprise guest, Bucky Badger!

TimTab Studios

TimTab Studios

TimTab Studios

TimTab Studios

Colleen and Steven, it was our pleasure working with you to help bring the details together for your big day! We hope it was worth the wait, and wish you years of continued happiness as you continue your lives together as husband and wife!

TimTab Studios

We had the pleasure of working with Chris and Alexis through their wedding planning process; once they had selected their venue, they reached out to Five Grain Events to help them find the rest of their vendor team, maintain their budget, and keep them on schedule. We had no idea it would grow into a multi-year process, with an adorable new family member joining the family (Hi, Kai!)! We managed to find the silver linings of the pandemic.

Ryan Moore Photography

Ryan Moore Photography

One of the greatest decisions that Chris and Alexis made was choosing Ryan Moore Photography to document their engagement and wedding photos. Ryan’s ability to capture unique candids and beautiful, interesting portraits makes him an invaluable addition to your wedding vendor team. We love how he used the architecture and interior design of the Kimpton Gray Hotel (where Chris and Alexis got ready on wedding day) to capture the ambiance of the wedding day!

Ryan Moore Photography

Ryan Moore Photography

Ryan Moore Photography

Ryan Moore Photography

Alexis worked with Alyssa Diana Makeup and Laura Brokamp of Mane Space Salon for her wedding look, and I am still amazed at how effortlessly beautiful she looked, while still caring for a new baby!

Ryan Moore Photography

Ryan Moore Photography

Ryan Moore Photography

Ryan Moore Photography

Aries Charter was so helpful helping this little wedding party get around the city, given that we were moving around town with a carseat, stroller, two photographers, and a nanny in tow! After getting a few shots near Alexis’s old job at the Board of Trade, Ryan directed the transportation to head to Lincoln Park for some nature-focused photos.

Ryan Moore Photography

Ryan Moore Photography

Ryan Moore Photography

Working with Mary at Steve’s Flower Market is always a pleasure, and this wedding was no exception. She seemed to immediately know how to help Alexis visualize her wedding decor, despite Alexis not knowing exactly what flowers she wanted to utilize come wedding day. Plus, Mary found ways to incorporate some of the more unique elements of Chris and Alexis’s decor — including fabric and hanging lanterns they sourced from their travels to China, just before the start of the pandemic. It was such a special way to tie Alexis’s heritage into the day!

When everyone arrived to Galleria Marchetti, they were delighted to see how beautifully Steve’s Flower Market had decorated the space, and that the weather was holding just enough to allow for an open-air ceremony in the Pergola! Galleria Marchetti offers one of the best all-weather ceremony options with this space. And given Chris and Alexis’s smaller guest count, it would double as their reception space as well.

Ryan Moore Photography

Ryan Moore Photography

Ryan Moore Photography

Ryan Moore Photography

Ryan Moore Photography

Ryan Moore Photography

Chris and Alexis worked with Officiant Bruce Otto for their ceremony, and he made the process so simple and approachable. They wanted to keep things straightforward, while still incorporating a few special details about their families. He was very understanding, patient, and flexible as we worked through date and formatting changes along the way.  And given that Alexis’s family could not make it from China due to travel restrictions, they opted to work with Vanilla Video to capture the ceremony and reception formalities, like toasts and dances, to help share the special day with them.

Ryan Moore Photography

Ryan Moore Photography

Ryan Moore Photography

Ryan Moore Photography

Ryan Moore Photography

After the ceremony, guests made their way into the adjacent room for cocktail hour, while we focused on flipping the Pergola for the reception. Alexis and Chris put together a DIY Photo Booth with an Instax camera and props, which is one of our favorite ways to create some additional memories to look back on years down the road!

Ryan Moore Photography

Ryan Moore Photography

Ryan Moore Photography

Ryan Moore Photography

As guests enjoyed the passed canapés and cocktails, our team was hard at work overseeing the room flip to prepare for the reception.

Ryan Moore Photography

Ryan Moore Photography

Ryan Moore Photography

Ryan Moore Photography

Ryan Moore Photography

Enlisting Okyne Medialab to help with all the music and entertainment facets of the day was another wise choice! Al of Okyne helped us select the right musicians for ceremony, cocktail hour, and the reception, while adding his expert emceeing abilities to help keep the night moving smoothly.

Ryan Moore Photography

Ryan Moore Photography

After a delightful toast from Chris’s brother, Chris and Alexis were ready to party! Okyne Medialab got things going, and per usual, the youngest guests were the first to the dance floor!

Ryan Moore Photography

Ryan Moore Photography

Ryan Moore Photography

There are a few things that can help make sure a dance floor stays busy all night long… since great music was already checked off the list, a little hit of sugar was just what the doctor ordered! And Galleria Marchetti really goes for it with their flaming donut station.

Ryan Moore Photography

Chris and Alexis added to the sugar rush by providing a selection of Chinese candies in traditional red and gold boxes. The children especially appreciated these (though the jury is still out on whether or not their parents did!).

Ryan Moore Photography

Chris and Alexis were happy to partake in a little sugar rush themselves with their cake cutting. Nothing like a sweet treat to help stave off the exhaustion that only new parents understand!

Ryan Moore Photography

Chris and Alexis, it was such a pleasure working with you both. We wish you all the happiness in the world, and hope you look back on your wedding day with as much fondness as we do!

Ryan Moore Photography

Over the last couple of years, our couples have been put to the test with so many additional hurdles and challenges in their wedding planning process due to the pandemic. I’ve been so pleasantly surprised to see how beautifully Five Grain Events’ clients have weathered the storm; ironically, the couples I’ve had the pleasure of supporting have been some of the calmest, kindest, and most thoughtful!

No three words can describe Carli and Bunker better. They were such a pleasure to work with; any twist that arose due to the pandemic was something they were willing to work through together. No doubt that this had something to do with the fact that Carli was literally on the front lines as a doctor in New York, working tirelessly to keep patients safe.

While they originally postponed their initial plans for a larger-scale wedding, they found that months were turning into years, and they wanted to get married sooner rather than later! So they chose to pivot with a micro-wedding in Chicago, celebrating with their families and closest friends. And the day turned out to be just like Carli and Bunker — calm, kind, and thoughtful.

The morning started with the ladies getting ready at The Langham Hotel with stylists from Renee Feldman Salons. Carli, her sisters, and Bunker’s sisters all gathered together for hair and makeup for a truly relaxed start to the day.

Christian Ramirez

Christian Ramirez

Christian Ramirez

Christian Ramirez

Christian Ramirez

Carli and Bunker chose to work with a friend, Christian Ramirez, for their photography. They wanted photojournalistic style photos, and loved Christian’s unique perspective. His photos really captured how simple, easy, and naturally beautiful this day was!

Soon it was time for Carli and the families to head to the church for the ceremony. They loaded into an SUV from Windy City Limo to make their way from downtown Chicago to Evanston, where Carli’s family’s church was located.

Christian Ramirez

Christian Ramirez

Carli and her family have been attending First Presbyterian Church in Evanston throughout the lives.  It was a special place to share this next step in Carli and Bunker’s life; the pastor had many personal touches to share throughout the ceremony.

Christian Ramirez

We absolutely adored seeing Carli’s niece and her sister dressed in matching dresses. And the flower crown was so sweet!

Christian Ramirez

Christian Ramirez

Christian Ramirez

Christian Ramirez

Nothing but joy beaming from Bunker’s face as he saw Carli walking down the aisle!

Christian Ramirez

Christian Ramirez

Christian Ramirez

While church exits don’t always fit into a wedding day schedule, Carli and Bunker’s relaxed style and smaller guest count made for a perfect opportunity. I love how Christian’s photo style makes for some truly memorable, classic photos.

Christian Ramirez

Christian Ramirez

After the ceremony, the family, wedding party, and guests loaded into the trolley from Premier Trolley. Given the ride back to the city, the open-air style made sure that everyone would get a great view of Chicago as they traveled down Lake Shore Drive.

Christian Ramirez

Christian Ramirez

Christian Ramirez

Once back to the city, Carli, Bunker, and their families took some photos with Chicago’s gorgeous architecture as the background.

Christian Ramirez

Christian Ramirez

Christian Ramirez

Christian Ramirez

Christian Ramirez

Christian Ramirez

Christian Ramirez

With the hotel being just around the corner, walking over to the dinner venue couldn’t have been easier. RPM Seafood is one of Carli and Bunker’s favorite places to eat when visiting in Chicago, and the private spaces on the mezzanine level made for the perfect spot for their small wedding reception. The setting was clean and beautiful, with incredible views of the Chicago River. There was no question as to why this is one of the couple’s favorites — the food and service were impeccable!

Steve’s Flower Market provided the floral and decor. They absolutely understood the assignment, tying the bridal floral look in seamlessly with RPM Seafood’s clean style.

Christian Ramirez

Christian Ramirez

Christian Ramirez

Christian Ramirez

Christian Ramirez

Christian Ramirez

As guests made their way from cocktail hour in for dinner, it was time for a few toasts to celebrate the bride and groom. Everyone spoke lovingly about how kind and well-suited Carli and Bunker are for each other, and it was clear what a special couple they are!

Christian Ramirez

Christian Ramirez

Christian Ramirez

Christian Ramirez

Carli and Bunker chose a cake from Alliance Bakery; we love their clean and simple style!

Christian Ramirez

Dancing soon started, with a few traditional Armenian dances mixed in. The room was full, but everyone made plenty of space for dancing and kept the energy high all night long!

Christian Ramirez

Christian Ramirez

Christian Ramirez

Christian Ramirez

Christian Ramirez

Christian Ramirez

Carli and Bunker, it was such a pleasure being a part of your wedding weekend. We are sending you all the best, and hope to see you next time you are in Chicago! Wishing you many years of love and happiness!

Christian Ramirez

While things may not have looked like the wedding they imagined back when we started working with Lisa & Michael and their parents, the celebration that took place this past March was nothing short of delightful. The love that surrounded this happy couple and their families was evident in every detail. Lisa’s mother, in particular, was excited to finally be celebrating this party they’d been planning for so long!

Peter Wynn Thompson Photography

While Lisa and Michael were officially married on their original wedding date in Spring 2020,  they were eager to share their vows at Madonna della Strada, the chapel at their alma mater, Loyola University Chicago. Wedding day morning started with everyone getting ready at Lisa’s parents’ home. The ladies of Zano Salon ensured Lisa and her attendants all looked and felt beautiful. Thanks to Windy City Limo everyone made it to the church on time for their ceremony.

Madonna della Strada is perfectly placed on Loyola’s lakeside campus. The views are picture-perfect, and Michael and Lisa were lucky enough to have clear skies on their wedding day. Photographer Peter Wynn Thompson was on point for this gorgeous setting, and captured some truly memorable moments for the newlyweds

We are always delighted to work at MDS; the organ is magnificent, and the team organizing each event is cheerful, friendly, and oh-so-detailed.

Peter Wynn Thompson Photography

Peter Wynn Thompson Photography

Peter Wynn Thompson Photography

Lisa and her father have one of those very sweet father-daughter relationships that melts your heart. It was such a special moment to watch them finally get to have the much-anticipated walk down the aisle!

Peter Wynn Thompson Photography

Peter Wynn Thompson Photography

Peter Wynn Thompson Photography

Peter Wynn Thompson Photography

Peter Wynn Thompson Photography

Loyola has a special place in this family’s heart, so I know it was meaningful to them to be able to take these photos at the altar. With a fully vaccinated group, they were able to de-mask safely to have a memory to treasure forever.

Peter Wynn Thompson Photography

Peter Wynn Thompson Photography

After the church ceremony, the family made their way to Harry Caray’s in Rosemont for an intimate celebration. Lisa and Michael were definitely ready to let loose and have some fun now that the “official” task of the day was behind them.

Peter Wynn Thompson Photography

They shared their first dance with the musical stylings of David Rothstein Music. David was such a pleasure to have onsite; his friendly demeanor and light-hearted jokes always make for a great evening for all the guests.

Peter Wynn Thompson Photography

Lisa’s dad’s toast was perfect — a lovely combination of adoration for his daughter, welcoming Michael to the family, and sharing a more personal side of the evolution of their relationship.

Peter Wynn Thompson Photography

Peter Wynn Thompson Photography

Peter Wynn Thompson Photography

Michael’s dad shared a few words as well; it was evident how overjoyed these two families were to come together and celebrate this special couple.

Peter Wynn Thompson Photography

Michael’s best man Awais’s toast was one of the best we’ve heard! This is obviously a friendship that has withstood the test of time. It was beautifully prepared — thoughtful, funny, tear-inducing, and full of respect for Lisa and Michael’s relationship. Michael couldn’t have asked for a better friend to be by his side on this special day.

Peter Wynn Thompson Photography

Lisa’s best friend and maid of honor has been a dear friend since they were young. We love hearing from a bridesmaid who has been by the bride’s side since childhood — it really helps the rest of the guests get a full sense of the person she’s become.

Peter Wynn Thompson Photography

There were personal touches all throughout the decor. These wine bottles fit with fairy lights were created for one of Lisa’s showers, and were repurposed to bring a little extra warmth to the room.

Peter Wynn Thompson Photography

Steve’s Flower Market did such a beautiful job incorporating the purple and blue hues into Lisa and Michael’s floral. The bouquets and centerpieces were stunning!

Peter Wynn Thompson Photography

Peter Wynn Thompson Photography

Peter Wynn Thompson Photography

Peter Wynn Thompson Photography

Peter Wynn Thompson Photography

Peter Wynn Thompson Photography

I’m a big fan of wedding videography; I think there’s something special about being able to go back years down the road to revisit your big day, and find yourself enjoying the details all over again. There’s an energy that sometimes you just can’t capture with photos alone! Luckily, Lisa and Michael had Leap Weddings to document their special day.

Congratulations, Lisa and Michael! It was such a pleasure to work with you both and your families to help you finally get to celebrate your union. We wish you all the best!