We had such a great experience working with Robynn and Matt for their November wedding in Chicago! They were NYC based; and felt it would be helpful to have a local team to assist with final vendor decisions and helping with the set-up crew (in this case, friends and family!) on wedding day. Five Grain Events works with out-of-town clients quite a bit, and our team loves being able to help couples who aren’t as familiar with the local market find a vendor group just right for them!

These two were ORGANIZED. They came to us with so many of their details meticulously planned and thoughtfully considered. We knew that this would be a special weekend, as they had put serious effort into the experience as a whole — not just for the two of them, but for their friends and family members who were local and traveling from out out of town to celebrate with them.

One of the best decisions they made, in my humble opinion, was choosing Villa d’Citta as “base camp” for their stay in Chicago. They were able to host several of their guests in the various rooms throughout the Villa, had an intimate-yet-regal room for themselves (hello, fireplace!), and were able to hold several ancillary events at the Villa — including their ceremony rehearsal, Chinese Tea Ceremony, and welcome party for nearly all their 160 guests!  Plus, as a true bed and breakfast, the Villa had a delicious spread prepared for them each morning. Last but not least, it was but a hop-skip-and-a-jump from their wedding venue, Galleria Marchetti. 

On the morning of the wedding day, Robynn seemed calm and collected as her cousin Vanessa did her makeup, and Katie of Pin Me Up did her hair. This was our first time working with the husband-and-wife photography duo Two Birds Photography, and we couldn’t have enjoyed the process more. They were organized, timely, communicative, and took beautiful photos!  

One of the other perks of Villa d’Citta was this adorable courtyard that was a great spot for getting some portraits and family photos taken care of before the couple took to the city with their photographers. Robynn’s bouquet and Matt’s boutonniere were made by Steve’s Flower Market. 

Robynn and Matt chose Vanilla Video for videography — a great option for budgets of all sizes, especially when you only want a few key moments of footage, rather than a full day. The videographer joined us at the venue shortly before the ceremony to ensure the Groom and officiant were “mic’d up” and to capture the arrival of guests and set-up details. Our clients have been so happy with the final product, which makes us happy! 

Friends and family came together to bring the couple’s vision to reality — Robynn enlisted a “decorations committee” to help with creating the table arrangements and ceremony floral, as well as setting up the decorations on day-of at Galleria Marchetti. Five Grain Events was present at Galleria Marchetti to help make the set-ups went smoothly and to the bride’s specifications. This allowed for Robynn and Matt — and the group of friends and family who helped set up — arrive to the wedding without duties, so they could enjoy as hosts and guests! 

When the decor was all set, and hair and makeup complete, it was time for the wedding to officially begin! Guests started arriving and were graced with the sounds of a folk trio led by Keith Baumann of Old Town School of Folk Music. We loved hearing their rendition of Canon in D! 

The officiant (who also acted as emcee) was a dear friend of the couple. He was equal parts hilarious, charming, and incredibly helpful. We were so lucky to have such a great team player as part of this special weekend! 

As the ceremony concluded and the trio scooted into the next room for cocktails, family photos got well underway. When big families are involved, it’s so important to have an assertive photographer and an organized list of must-get photos. We came prepared and had an FGE team member standing by to help collect people for the photos so Robynn and Matt could get done as quickly as possible to join their cocktail hour.

The escort card set-up for Robynn and Matt was one of our all-time favorites. It was so cute, colorful, and creative! Oranges bring good luck in Chinese culture, so Robynn wanted to give a nod to that by using mandarins w/ sage-green leaves that had each guest’s name. We helped her source both the printing and die-cutting of the leaves (Thank you, PaperSource in Evanston!) and the mandarins (Costco, for the win).

Decor at cocktail hour also included a beautiful family photo display with Chinese decorations, including the tea set used for the traditional Tea Ceremony. The couple also brought a cigar box and personal collection of coasters for guests to sign, as well as a “guest log” — an actual cut of a log! 

It was soon time for guests to make their way into The Pavilion, where they found their seats thanks to DIY table numbers, set in growlers collected over the years by Matt and Robynn. The tables were also adorned with blue and white mugs decorated with Chinese landscapes, and filled with beautiful white and red flowers, thoughtfully arranged by Robynn’s dear friend and purchased at Mariano’s. Paper flowers in autumnal hues and some votive candles completed the look, and we’re sure the guests appreciated all the hard work that went into the personal touches!

The speeches were so personal and fun; the couple was thrilled to hear from Joe (officiant-turned-emcee), the bride’s sister, and the groom’s brother.

Max Davis of Style Matters was the DJ — and he couldn’t have done a better job! He had the dance floor grooving with hit after hit. 

No one could risk going hungry with all the delicious appetizers, fabulous dinner, and delectable sweets station courtesy of Bittersweet and Galleria Marchetti — not to mention a Garrett’s Popcorn bar AND late night pizza! 

Robynn and Matt, we wish you two many years of happiness and hope you have taken some time off to enjoy the fruits of your detailed organization!  It was such a pleasure working with you both! 

Lisa and Matt’s wedding was overflowing with love, excitement, and many meaningful moments. We feel so lucky to have been part of their special day!

Both sides of the wedding party started off the day at the Hilton Garden Inn McCormick Place. The ladies got their hair done by Melanie Peltier and their makeup done by Shannon O’Brien, and everyone looked stunning! Cassie Rosch was there to capture every moment.

After Lisa and Matt’s first look and some group photos, Empire Limousine took the wedding party to the beautiful Bridgeport Art Center, where they continued taking photos as the Five Grain team began setting up.

Flowers for Dreams brought so much life to the space with their vibrant floral arrangements. Lisa’s bouquet even included a succulent, which is one of her favorite plants. The escort cards were strung on BAC’s large metal barn doors, which made a great use of the space. In lieu of guest favors, the couple handmade tokens that guests placed in one of three jars, signifying to which charity they wanted Lisa and Matt to donate: ACLU, One Tail at a Time, or University of Michigan’s Rogel Cancer Center. One of our favorite elements was their projection of “#Lisasbutterhalf,” which comes from Matt’s nickname growing up, Butter.

The ceremony was deeply meaningful: They had some of their closest friends say a few words, they read their own vows, and Lisa’s brother, Eric, officiated. Vanilla Video was there to record it all.

After the ceremony, guests enjoyed cocktail hour with delicious drinks from Venue Logic and appetizers and a charcuterie station from Paramount Events. Eric Hochberg was playing beautifully with his jazz trio, as the Shutterbooth photo booth opened up for use.

Everyone then took their seats for dinner, where guests enjoyed Lisa and Matt’s first dance, some speeches, and the parent dances. Their cake from Alliance Bakery had one of the coolest toppers we’ve seen: It was of Lisa and Matt kissing while holding weights, since they first met through their Crossfit Gym. 

After a delicious dinner from Paramount Events, DJ Matt Roan opened up the dance floor. Everyone had a blast, especially when Lisa and Matt went up for the hora!

This wedding not only had countless special touches, but was filled with so many meaningful relationships. You could tell how much everyone in the room loved Lisa and Matt (and vice versa), and that made for a palpably warm, loving atmosphere. Congratulations Lisa and Matt, and thank you for allowing us to be a part of your beautiful wedding! 

Abby and Jason’s wedding took place on a beautiful fall day. They began their day at the JW Marriott with their closest friends and family. Everyone was relaxed and having a great time as they got ready. Jason even surprised Abby with a big bouquet of roses, which we later incorporated into their reception decor! BM Hair and Makeup Design did the ladies’ hair, and Alyssa Lynn Makeup  perfected their makeup. 

After a first look with her dad and brother, Abby headed to her first look with Jason. This was followed by wedding party photos and couple portraits, all shot by Nicodem Creative.  Toast Wedding Films was there was well to capture every wonderful moment on video.

Windy City Limo then took the wedding party to Venue West. Their ceremony, officiated by Reverend Dennis Condon, was short, sweet, and beautiful. The space was filled with candles and greenery by Flowers by Stem, and they were married under a stunning yet understated wooden arch built by Abby’s father! 

Cocktail hour began after the ceremony. The delicious hors d’oeuvres were accompanied with lively music by Mariachi Sol De Oro.

J&L Catering served a truly delicious dinner as guests enjoyed watching the special dances and some touching speeches. The party really kicked into high gear when DJ Dustin from Toast & Jam opened up the dance floor!

This fabulous couple’s sense of humor and lightheartedness kept us smiling. They were nothing but a joy to be around, and you could feel the love between them at all times. Abby and Jason, you said in your thank you speech “look how lucky we are”–well that’s how we feel about having worked with you! Congratulations, and we wish you all the happiness in the world! 

I felt a great connection with Elizabeth and Gavin almost immediately when we started talking. They live in Seattle, where I spent a big chunk of my life. But they met in Australia, where I happened to also live when I was very small! Plus, Elizabeth is from the Chicago area, so she knew she wanted to get married somewhere close to “home” for a big portion of their guests. She found both Five Grain Events and the Women’s Club of Evanston through a dear friend, who was a previous client of ours! I loved how open and honest Elizabeth was with her stressors about the wedding: she and Gavin worked a lot, and were very busy, and the idea of throwing a big party that put her at the center of attention was not high on her list of “favorite things to do.” Since planning these sorts of receptions most certainly *is* on our list, I was happy to take some of the leg-work off her plate!

One of the first things we did was help Elizabeth and Gavin find a photographer. Since they were already married, having eloped at a beautiful lake in Washington state, they only needed a few hours of photography to capture some special portraits and the day’s events. Knowing that Elizabeth and Gavin were both good-humored and laid back, Ryan Moore Photography seemed like the perfect fit — and he was!

Elizabeth and Gavin took some time amidst their busy wedding day to exchange gifts and enjoy a glass of champagne together. We always stress the importance of finding time to be alone on the wedding day, as it can get quite busy and overwhelming.  It’s nice to focus on the real reason the day is happening in the first place — your love for each other!

Women’s Club of Evanston was the perfect venue for this group — an intimate gathering of friends and family; some local, some in from abroad, but all joining together to celebrate Elizabeth and Gavin. Because the spaces are so well decorated and ornate, only a minimal amount of decor was brought in — perfect for a low-maintenance couple like these two! And with the added security team from Diplomatic Security Group, we knew that all of Elizabeth and Gavin’s guests would be taken care of throughout the night.

The food was provided by Catered by Design, and was delicious! We loved these caprese sliders, and how fun is this cute tuxedo napkin fold?! Schaefer’s supplied the alcohol and glassware, and drinks were flowing all evening!

For floral decor, Elizabeth wanted to incorporate some of the hues that were included in her elopement bouquet, as well as some floral from Australia to tie in Gavin’s background. Fleur did an absolutely beautiful job; she was thrilled with her bouquet (which included a beautiful Australian protea) and the rest of the wedding flowers!

It was so much fun to see Elizabeth and Gavin connecting with people they hadn’t seen in quite some time, and talking about the details of their elopement.

Gavin was excited to source some of the music for their wedding reception; and CloudGate was a wonderful choice! This quartet provided the perfect ambient music for a lively cocktail hour while guests mixed and mingled.

If you ever have a few younger kids at your wedding reception who you want to keep busy — put them in charge of your photo guest book! These girls took the job very seriously, and had a blast rounding up guests to snap a photo and encourage them to sign the guest book. It ended up being one of the most detailed and filled guest books I’ve seen!

During dinner service, Gavin and Elizabeth were delighted to hear from some of their closest family members. Toasts were filled with laughter and beautiful sentiments, and it was clear that everyone from all sides was thrilled with this union of love.

We can not get enough of having pie at weddings these days! It’s such a fun change of pace from traditional wedding cake (which we still absolutely adore, don’t get us wrong!). Bang Bang Pie is one of our favorites, especially when it is paired with ice cream service by the caterer.

Guests had a great time enjoying each other’s company as the night went on. Dancing, chatting, and laughter filled the room. Thanks to Gabe at Green Line Talent, the bride and her friends were able to show off their dance-major talents on the dance floor!

We truly enjoyed working with Elizabeth and Gavin, and hope these two are continuing on their blissful first year of married life!