City View Loft Archives - Five Grain Events

City View Loft Wedding – Colleen and Austin

February 27, 2017

Rachael Osborn Photography

The day began as many typical fall days in Chicago do with clouds, rain and all fingers crossed for a complete 180. The ladies gathered at Colleen’s apartment in Old Town while Austin and the guys congregated at The Westin Michigan Avenue. Colleen and Austin planned to have a traditional Catholic Wedding Mass and did not plan to see each other prior to the ceremony. Saving that special moment for the walk down the aisle is almost rare these days, which I just love. Rachael from Rachael Osborn Photography spent the day with the group and took some incredible photos.

Rachael Osborn Photography

Rachael Osborn Photography

Rachael Osborn Photography

Rachael Osborn Photography

Rachael Osborn Photography

Morgan from Rare Bird Beauties was on site for makeup and Jen Beyers was in charge of hair. It took no time at all for the ladies to be completely immersed in bridal prep mode as the clouds slowly parted and made way for sunny skies.

By the time hair and makeup was complete and the Chicago Trolley and Double Decker Co. had arrived the rain had ceased; our prayers had been answered! The ladies were stunning in classic navy. Flowers for Dreams did an amazing job creating white and ivory bouquets which were the perfect contrast to the dresses. Colleen was beaming the moment she stepped into her gown. It was a dress she couldn’t help but swish side to side. We could all imagine the magical dancing that was to come later in the evening.

Rachael Osborn Photography

Rachael Osborn Photography

Rachael Osborn Photography

Rachael Osborn Photography

Rachael Osborn Photography

Rachael Osborn Photography

Sunny skies and the sweetest flower girl welcomed Colleen and Austin as they entered the church. The ceremony was perfect in every way. The beautiful backdrop of Our Lady of Mount Carmel created an ideal setting for Colleen and Austin to say “I do”.

Rachael Osborn Photography

Rachel Osborn Photography

Rachael Osborn Photography

Rachael Osborn Photography

Rachael Osborn Photography

Rachael Osborn Photography

Immediately following the ceremony, Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Co. was on site to take Colleen and Austin along with their bridal party around the city for pictures. No one could have asked for better weather as the sun peeked through the clouds and kept all rain at bay.

Rachael Osborn Photography

Rachael Osborn Photography

Rachael Osborn Photography

Rachael Osborn Photography

Rachael Osborn Photography

Rachael Osborn Photography

Rachael Osborn Photography

Rachael Osborn Photography

Rachael Osborn Photography

Rachael Osborn Photography

Rachael Osborn Photography

Once photos were complete it was off to City View Loft to continue the celebration. The venue embodied just the right amount of urban feel along with rustic hints that were the perfect balance for Colleen and Austin. The skyline was crystal clear at dusk and everything (and everyone) was in place for an unforgettable evening.

Rachael Osborn Photography

Rachael Osborn Photography

Rachael Osborn Photography

Rachael Osborn Photography

Rachael Osborn Photography

Rachael Osborn Photography

As the night continued, Colleen and Austin were toasted by family and friends and had a wonderful dinner service courtesy of LM Catering and dessert thanks to Molly’s Cupcakes. You couldn’t help but feel the warmth in the room from all of the love this couple shared and received from their families. Laughs, tears, kisses and hugs filled the room.

Rachael Osborn Photography

Rachael Osborn Photography

Rachael Osborn Photography

Rachael Osborn Photography

Rachael Osborn Photography

Once dinner was complete Austin and his mom danced to “Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd followed by Colleen and her dad swaying to “In My Life” by The Beatles.

Rachael Osborn Photography

Rachael Osborn Photography

It wasn’t long before Toast and Jam DJs had the entire room on the dance floor. The night was filled with dancing, laughs, smiles, and more dancing! At the end of the night, M&M Limousine and Bus Service whisked our guests back to their hotels–everyone was sorry to see the night end.

Rachael Osborn Photography

Rachael Osborn Photography

Rachael Osborn Photography

We want to thank Colleen and Austin for being such a wonderful couple to work with and wish them all the best in life, love and happiness!

Rachael Osborn Photography

Happy Anniversary, Meghan and Chris!

April 18, 2016

We absolutely loved being a part of Meghan and Chris’s wedding celebration last April at Kitchen Chicago and City View Loft! It was a day filled with joy, laughter, and A LOT of dancing.

The Shalom Imaginative

Wishing you both all the best as you celebrate your first anniversary today!

Love,

Joan

Meghan and Chris’s Globe-Trotting Wedding 04.18.15

September 30, 2015

Meghan and Chris were a couple who knew what they wanted out of their wedding day: an intimate celebration of their love with their closest family and friends. They wanted a reception that was representative of everything they loved most (travel, food, and friends!). I was thrilled to be brought on board to help them fine tune their details and to create a wedding day to remember.

The Shalom Imaginative

Meghan and Chris did not have a traditional wedding party, but they wanted to include their family members in the celebration. Meghan started off the day at Civello Salon getting dolled up alongside her sister, mother, and Chris’s mom and sister. Meghan truly looked like a Hollywood starlet when she gathered up her wedding gown and hopped into a cab to head to Kitchen Chicago.

The Shalom Imaginative

Chris spent the morning relaxing in a suite at The Palmer House Hilton with his uncle and soon-to-be-father-in-law. Chris looked so dapper in his fitted navy tux.

The Shalom Imaginative

Meghan and her entourage finished the getting ready process at Kitchen Chicago’s bridal suite. Her Sarah Seven gown looked like it was made of spun gold.

The Shalom Imaginative

When it was time to begin the ceremony, Meghan and Chris’s wedding officiant, Sheri Reda of Flow Ceremonies invited all their guests to stand and introduce themselves to someone whom they had not yet met. It started the ceremony off with an element of togetherness–something that was really important to the bride and groom.

The Shalom Imaginative

The processional began to the smooth tunes of The Sam Trump Quartet. Amanda and Nate of The Shalom Imaginative were able to capture the raw emotion that both Meghan and Chris displayed upon seeing one another for the first time.

The Shalom Imaginative

Their ceremony was meaningful and included readings from family and close friends. The backdrop created by Art of Imagination framed the space just beautifully, and upon ending guests tossed flower petals on the bride and groom as they recessed!

The Shalom Imaginative

Cocktail hour was filled with excited and chattering guests and the sounds of Sam Trump. Delicious hors d’oeuvres were passed and guests imbibed their choice of beverage while snapping photos with selfie sticks or using the instax cameras for their guestbook. Chris made paper airplanes out of maps to use as their escort cards–genius!

The Shalom Imaginative

When cocktail hour was complete, the guests headed upstairs to City View Loft for dinner service. Each of the tables was named after a place the bride and groom had traveled together. Meghan and Chris created their own centerpieces using florals from Steve’s Flower Market, Chris’s photographs of places they had traveled together, and votives.

The Shalom Imaginative

After a blessing and some heartfelt toasts, Meghan, Chris and their loved ones enjoyed a delicious family style meal and great conversation. Following dinner, the bride and groom cut their cake and officially opened the sweets table that had been tantalizing guests since they walked into the room. With a combination of nostalgic treats like sixlets, red vines, and zebra cakes, and the gourmet additions of cupcakes from Courageous Bakery and Glazed & Infused doughnuts there was something for everyone.

The Shalom Imaginative

After some emotional special dances with each other and their parents, the dance floor opened to all their guests. The floor was bustling from start to finish without a lull! DJ Eric Gupana was a fabulous addition and helped keep the party atmosphere going until the end of the night.

The Shalom Imaginative

Meghan and Chris, it was a true pleasure to work with you both on your big day. Thank you for entrusting me with such a special event. I wish you both the absolute best.

The Shalom Imaginative

Meghan and Chris’s wedding was also featured on both Junebug Weddings and Southbound Bride! Check those out below:

Junebug Weddings

Industrial Chic Ceremony Spaces