Sarah and Denis’s wedding day was the perfect blend of intimacy, joy, and the fresh energy of springtime in Chicago. With just under 70 of their closest friends and family in attendance, their celebration at Renaissance Chicago felt warm, personal, and filled with heartfelt moments, all of which were expertly captured by Mallory Chrisman.
We lucked out with a beautiful springtime wedding day soaked in sunshine and warmth. Rather than a traditional wedding party, Sarah and Denis spent the morning surrounded by their best friends. Blush and Braids provided hair and makeup for Sarah and her family and was later joined by her longtime besties. Sarah’s girlfriends all wore their choice of blue dresses for the event – a visual nod to the classic “something blue,” while Denis’s lifelong friends traveled all the way from Israel to stand by his side. The color palette of crisp springtime blue and silver reflected the season’s vibrancy and elegance.
One of the most unique elements of the wedding was Sarah and Denis’s approach to their floral décor. They partnered with Something Borrowed Blooms, a sustainable service that provides faux floral centerpieces, which are returned after the event to be reused for future weddings. It was a thoughtful, eco-conscious choice that complemented the sophisticated atmosphere of their reception.
The celebration followed the traditional Israeli timeline with cocktail hour first! Following a lovely ketubah signing, Denis and Sarah mingled with their guests while enjoying delicious hors d’oeuvres and signature drinks—Denis’s gin & tonic and Sarah’s Moscow mule—ahead of the chuppah ceremony.
The ceremony, officiated by Rabbi Nicole Berne, was deeply personal and filled with meaningful traditions. Beneath a gorgeous chuppah provided by Chicagoland Chuppah, Sarah and Denis exchanged vows in front of their loved ones. They selected clear chiavari chairs from Chiavaris to avoid any visual disruption of the spectacular views.
Guests then moved directly into the reception space which also offered floor-to-ceiling views of the Chicago river. The tables were set with silver linens, modern chargers, and the elegant borrowed centerpieces. Sarah’s sisters’ handmade challahs for Hamotzi were an impressive addition.
Dinner, expertly crafted by Renaissance Chicago, included a heartfelt welcome from Sarah’s father. The couple’s sweet thank-you speech, acknowledging the love and support that had brought them to this moment. After cutting their cake the dance floor came alive as Toast & Jam DJs kicked off the party. Sarah and Denis shared their first dance to Andy Grammer’s “I Choose You,” and later, the energy soared as guests lifted Sarah and Denis high during the hora, a highlight of the evening (and a novelty for the Israeli guests who don’t typically include this quintessential Jewish wedding tradition at their celebrations)!
Adding an extra touch of fun, Flash Magnets snapped keepsake photos of the guests throughout the night which were then printed and distributed. As the reception wound down, late-night snacks made their way to the dance floor, giving everyone a final burst of energy before heading to the after-party at Emerald Loop.
Sarah and Denis, it was such fun to walk this path with you both. Wishing you a lifetime full of even more adventure!
