Hilary and Jeremy were such a joy to work with.  Jeremy initially reached out since he an Joan had gone to high school together to discuss a December 2020 wedding (which obviously didn’t go exactly as planned). When they finally tied the knot this spring, they were so ready to celebrate amongst their family and friends.  The day did not disappoint; there were so many special customized elements that really showed us who they are as a couple.

The day started at the Hyatt House in the West Loop neighborhood of Chicago.  There was great energy flowing through the room while everyone got ready.  Hilary’s hair team was led by Ronda Boertmann and her makeup was done by Julia from Shannon O’Brien makeup.  Hilary’s gorgeous dress was perfected by the ladies at The Workroom at Belle.   Jeremy was in a nearby room enjoying Manny’s Deli and the company of his groomsmen after far-too-long of a year apart.

After finishing getting ready, the couple met for their first look.  The anticipation in their eyes was so exciting!  When they finally saw one another, it was a beautiful moment.  Ed & Aileen Photography caught these stunning images.

After the first look, the bridal party boarded the bus from Windy City Limo to take photos throughout the city.  The April weather cooperated which made for some nice photos next to Lake Michigan.

Everyone then headed to City View Loft  for the official festivities!  Since we were still limited in the number of people who could gather together, Jamie from Luxe Productions provided live streaming for the event so friends from far away could celebrate virtually.  The ceremony was beautifully officiated by Jeremy’s brother and accentuated by violin performances by Hilary’s students from South Side Suzuki.  The decor and floral arrangements, done by Romee Willow Florals, were absolutely stunning.

While guests enjoyed delicious bites and cocktails from LM Catering, Hilary and Jeremy took a quiet moment to themselves upstairs.  We loved the adorable lounge grouping they chose from Bowery & Bash.  After their moment alone, they practiced their dance routine in the space where they would share dinner with their friends and family.

Guests then moved upstairs at City View Loft to a beautifully decorated reception space for dinner.  Guests enjoyed their meals and then watched Hilary and Jeremy do their first dance (they knocked it out of the park, no surprise there!).  Since COVID protocols at that time did not allow an open dance floor, Hilary and Jeremy got creative and hosted their very own trivia night emceed by Green Line Talent and the groom himself. In addition to trivia, they also participated in the “wedding shoe game” where they sat back-to-back and lifted their respective shoes in answer to a series of questions about their relationship.  Lots of funny moments!

Hilary and Jeremy, it was a joy to work with you and get to know you both as a couple.  You definitely bring out the best in one another.  We wish you many many years of married bliss.  Cheers!

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

 

The Drake Hotel‘s Princess Diana Suite is hands-down my favorite “getting ready” suite in Chicago. It’s spacious, elegant, and full of amenities fit for a bride. This was especially true for a bride with a passion for classic, traditional details like Cory! Working with Shaun Rajah at The Drake for all the details is an unparalleled experience — his attention to detail and high expectations for everyone on his team is exactly the kind of passion we love to work with in this industry.

Cory started the day with a few of her nearest and dearest at a private Core Power Yoga class, then made her way back to The Drake to begin getting ready. While she and her fiancé, Matthew, opted to have a smaller wedding party, Cory — an incredibly caring, loyal, and loving friend and sister — had quite a few more ladies she wanted by her side, so ehe chose to have a “House Party” in addition to her bridesmaids. This made for a much more buoyant start to the day, as a lively group was able to join her in the Princess Diana suite to keep her smiling and laughing all morning.

Kate Johnson Artistry and her team set up shop in the dining room of the Suite, and there was a constant buzz of chatting and laughter emanating from the room. Cory opted for a beautiful red lip to add to the classic, wintry bride look — perfect for a February wedding in Chicago!

Cory’s gorgeous custom gown was hand-crafted by Victoria Sdoukos. The material, cut, and color were all fit to the dress of Cory’s dreams, and she couldn’t have been happier! The gorgeous lace overlay that she wore for the ceremony was also custom made by Victoria, and is the stuff winter wedding dreams are made of.

Jiho Park of Lilly Photography was with us to capture all the details and special moments — like these beautiful cookies that Cory had made for her bridesmaids to snack on throughout the morning, designed by Jenny Horvath of Hey, Sugar Cookie.

While Cory and her ladies continued their hotel suite abuzz with activity, Matthew and his groomsmen were starting the day with their own festivities. Starting with a hearty brunch at Somerset, they then made their way back to Matthew’s suite at The Drake to get ready and hang out until it was time to leave.

Cory had Matthew’s daughter, Morgan, hand-deliver a special note she had written just for him, which Jiho captured along with the other snappy details that completed the groom’s wedding day attire.

These cufflinks are definitely a piece that will stick around for years to come, reminding Matthew of his special day!

The dapper groom all “dudded up!”

Soon it came time for the wedding party (minus the beautiful bride) to board the bus that would take them around for photos. Per usual, Aries Charter came through with flying colors!

Before Cory and her bridesmaids jumped in an Uber to sneak over without Matthew seeing his blushing bride, Jiho snapped this iconic photo of Cory in her dress.

Cory and Matthew chose to have their first look at the Chicago Cultural Center — a spot we are so fortunate to have here in the city, especially in the middle of winter! The architectural details and stunning staircases make for some beautifully dramatic photos.

There’s something so timelessly elegant about this photo of Cory and Matthew, with the fur coat, the ivory bowtie, and crisp white bouquet in the midst of a chilly Chicago winter day. We just love it!

Cory made sure to make time for a shot with ALL her girls on the stairs leading up to Palm Court before the festivities began. These women were all there to support Cory throughout the wedding planning process, and were full of energy as the big day had finally arrived.

The flowers for Cory and Matthew’s wedding were designed by Mary of Steve’s Flower Market — and she truly nailed the details. We loved how she flawlessly incorporated some sentimental elements from the women in Cory’s family, including the handkerchief and broach on Cory’s bouquet.

The ceremony design was exactly what Cory had envisioned — Mary and the Steve’s Flower Market team executed the plan to perfection! The criss-cross draping, subtle candlelight, and hints of blush pink and ivory were just the romantic look we were going for. We were lucky with timing, as The Drake had scheduled brand-new carpeting to be added to The Grand Ballroom in January 2020, with the work and minor renovations completed just before Cory and Matthew’s wedding weekend. Paired with Shaun’s impeccable eye for straight chairs and shiny chandeliers, the Ballroom had never looked better!

There’s not much in life that this bride loves more than details, and her stationer was here for it! Colleen Fitzgerald of Fitzgerald’s Stationery had every little element covered for Cory, and was a true delight to work with. Her turnaround time and eye for detail were a planner’s dream. She seamlessly tied Cory and Matthew’s “CM” logo into the day-of design pieces and print elements along the way.

The ceremony was a part of the day that Cory and Matthew knew would flash by in an instant, while also being one of the most important moments in their lives — so they opted to hire Vanilla Video to memorialize it (along with the reception details, speeches, and dances!). We always enjoy working with their professional, affordable team.

Matthew and Cory’s daughter, Morgan, was certainly a great reason for the commemorative video. She stole everyone’s hearts as she walked down the aisle towards her dad, welcoming Cory into their family!

Cory and her Dad had a gorgeous walk down the aisle themselves, as the power of the moment took over.

There are no other smiles like the ones on the couple’s faces when they are “done” with the ceremony, their nerves have released, and they get to start their celebration! Cory has such a great smile — and I know she felt a wave of relief rush over her when the ceremony was done!

We love that The Drake offers a deep navy linen as an option for tables in addition to gold and silver. It really made the soft florals and gold details pop, and ivory escort cards always look so crisp against a navy backdrop.

The statement floral in Palm Court changes a few times a year; we were so fortunate that the arrangement for Cory’s wedding went perfectly with her color palette!

I always love the calm before the storm — when the couple gets to take in all the hard work they have put in to planning their big celebration and see it all come together for the first time. There’s a stillness in the air, and nervous energy from all the vendors! Cory and Matthew were so happy with how everything turned out, and we’d be lying if we said we didn’t shed a tear or two at the joy they emitted!

The Drake works exclusively with Cake Chicago, and we are so grateful that they do! Jo-Anne is an *actual* food scientist, and her passion for sweet things knows no bounds. She created a truly memorable tasting experience for Cory, and perhaps more importantly, Matthew and his brother, who take their desserts very seriously. They were thrilled with the final decisions, and we’re not sure if we’ve tasted a yummier cake.

Cory and Matthew hid away in the French Room as they waited for their guests to fill in their seats in the Gold Coast Room. Matt Lewis and The Union were ready to welcome everyone to signal a high energy night was just getting started, and brought the group to their feet for Cory and Matthew’s big entrance. They moved right into their first dance, and after a couple minutes, invited Morgan and the rest of their guests to join them for a quick dance set.

Another amazing service that The Drake offers — the champagne parade!

After the champagne was poured, Cory’s dad welcomed all the guests and gave a beautiful toast to Cory and Matthew on their new journey together.

It was incredible to see how everyone celebrated Morgan’s special place in the collective hearts of the families; even the priest invited her to join him in blessing the special couple!

Cory’s dearest friends gave a heartfelt toast; filled with laughter and tears, it highlighted many of the traits that we learned about Cory as we worked together — she’s an incredible friend, extremely loyal, detailed, and hilarious!

Matthew’s brother was up next, and he did not disappoint! It is no doubt that everyone from both sides of the family were truly thrilled about this match.

Cory and Matthew took a moment to share a few words with all their guests, as well. They wanted to make sure to let everyone know how appreciative they were of all the help that went into this special day, before the celebration truly got under way.

Matthew was lucky enough to dance with both his mother AND his daughter before we opened the floor to everyone. The bond between Matthew and Morgan is absolutely adorable, and we loved how they did a mash-up of both My Girl and Shake it Off. Morgan knows how to get things started!

While the guests got to dancing, we got busy setting up the favor table for anyone who might need a little savory treat as they made their way on to their next destination. Matthew is from Rockford, so Cory had the brilliant idea to offer guests a personalized bottle of water along with a bag of Ole Salty’s (based in Rockford). Cory even had a personalized sticker added to the bag!

Cory and Matthew, it was truly a pleasure being a part of your wedding planning process. We hope you have years and years of blissful happiness together, and can’t wait to plan our next celebration together 🙂

Working with Marissa and Andrew on their November University Club of Chicago wedding was a dream. It was such a pleasure collaborating with them, their families, and all their amazing vendors to bring together the most beautiful day! 

Marissa and the ladies began their day at the University Club of Chicago enjoying a quiet morning and each other’s company while Nika Vaughan Bridal Artists transformed each gorgeous lady. Marissa was a vision in her beautifully sleek dress with incredible detail in back. With lush floral by Phillips Flowers in hand, she snuck away for some photos around The Club before departing for the ceremony.

Andrew and his groomsmen also spent the morning at the University Club of Chicago in the always handsome Billiards Room where they played some pool and prepared for the day ahead. WS Photography and Smiling Toad Productions arrived to document each and every detail and help get the ladies and gents on their way.

St. Clement Catholic Church looked breathtaking as always. Marissa and Andrew’s traditional ceremony was a delight for everyone.  They were introduced as husband and wife just before departing for photos around the city on their trolley from Absolute Dream Limo.

Marissa and Andrew took advantage of all the classic Chicago stops for photos with their wedding party. It was a perfect fall day and each photo looked more timeless than the last. Slowly they made their way back to the University Club of Chicago for a few more photos and a quiet moment to themselves before the party began.

It doesn’t get much better than a Cathedral Hall wedding at the University Club of Chicago. Guests filled The Library for cocktail hour before moving up for dinner. Every detail of the reception was personalized and tweaked just for Marissa and Andrew and it did not go unnoticed. Phillips Flowers outdid themselves with colorful floral and romantic candlelit centerpieces, while Toni Patisserie provided the most amazing wedding cake, and Concept One Photography set up the photobooth for guests to enjoy through the night.

Marissa stunned guests with her dress change as she and Andrew were announced into the room for dinner. Family and friends celebrated the newlyweds with touching and entertaining toasts before being blown away by the performance of one of Marissa and Andrew’s personal friends who sang their first dance song. It was finally time for The Mix Music to take over, packing the dance floor for the remainder of the night.

Marissa and Andrew, thank you for being such incredible clients and for giving us the most perfect day to think back on! Congratulations again and wishing you all the best!

Tricia and John, where to start? Individually they were each such a pleasure to be around. Together, they were an unstoppable duo! Their radiant love for one another was clear from the moment we met. Their wedding was the fourth in four years–Tricia’s was the last of four sisters…and what an epic finale it was!

John and his groomsmen began their day at his family’s home. They spent their morning relaxing, playing some light basketball, enjoying lunch, and of course getting ready for the day ahead of them. Meanwhile, the ladies gathered at Tricia’s family home to enjoy each other’s company while starting the glam process! Make Up by Rosie painted their faces to perfection, while Felipe Salon sculpted each gorgeous hair-do.

We all swooned over how very perfect Tricia looked in her Vera Wang gown. With the excitement level reaching an all time high, both groups headed over to St. Luke Catholic Church chauffeured by Way to Go Limo.

The church was buzzing as guests arrived to witness the marriage of the two love birds. The musicians from St. Luke took their places, Keith from Poetic Productions set up for recording, and the whole church settled in for a sweet and heartwarming ceremony.

Following the ceremony, Tricia and John captured family photos at the altar.  ZR Weddings‘ talented photographers ensured the process went smoothly and efficiently, capturing perfect photographs that the couple will cherish forever. As soon as they finished up, the entire wedding party took off to head around the city of Chicago for group photos.

Cocktail hour was up next at Union League Club. Indigo had a pianist and two violinist playing lively music to set a fun and inviting mood. The Club served tasty hors d’oeuvres and drinks as guests mingled.

A few floors up, the Lincoln Ballroom had been transformed into the ultimate celebration space. Westgate Flowers brought life to the room with beautiful and elegant centerpieces.

As soon as guests found their seats, Tricia and John were officially announced in and shared their first dance as a married couple.  They mixed things up by inviting all the guests onto the dance floor right away to help get the party started.

It was time to honor Tricia and John — each toast was filled with laughter, tears, and love as family and friends spoke so highly of the couple.  Following toasts, they each shared a dance with their parent before once again inviting the room onto the dance floor!

After a few songs it was time to enjoy dinner, Union League Club’s F&B team served a gourmet meal to each guest. When dinner was almost over Tricia and John gave a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to all for making their day so very special. Indigo then kicked off the music in full swing, and the whole room took to the dance floor!

Thanks to Poetic Productions for this adorable recap video!

Fall Catholic & Private Club Wedding from Keith Jorgensen on Vimeo.

Tricia and John, we are so very grateful to have been a part of your perfect wedding! The two of you and your love story will always have a special place in our hearts and minds. We wish you a lifetime of memories just as epic as your wedding.