Classic Chicago Christmas Wedding

Elise and Michael’s wedding showcases the stunning city of Chicago almost as well as it illustrates their love for each other! An interfaith ceremony at Old St. Patrick’s Church brought together both families’ traditions, and their Chicago Cultural Center reception—planned and designed by Beth Bernstein of SQN Events—is the epitome of classic sophistication. The stunning Preston Bradley Hall, with its ornate dome and stately marbled walls, was the perfect backdrop for a reception featuring elegant calligraphy details, centerpieces of greenery, candles, and soft white blooms from Flora, and a rocking party set to the tunes of Matt Lewis and The Union. Each and every image from Olivia Leigh Photographie is perfection!

Chicago’s University Club is one of the most spectacular settings in the city, and Adriana and Stephen’s wedding made its beauty shine even brighter. LK Events and Exquisite Designs worked with the couple to create a romantic and cozy ambiance in the stately ballroom. The majestic florals by Exquisite Designs featured roses, hydrangea, and peonies in a mix of low and high arrangements and a sea of candles – each tabletop its own work of art. Dramatic lighting by Frost accented the University Club’s incredible stained glass windows, and Adriana says “When we walked into the reception (to the song Pony by Ginuwine) you could smell the flowers and the sun was still streaming into the room showing off the stained glass.” From their sweet first look to the afterparty on the roof deck underneath the city lights, each unforgettable moment was captured beautifully by Amanda Megan Miller!

I may be a bit biased, but Chicago’s skyline is absolute perfection. And it’s on full display in Sarah and Greg’s gorgeous May wedding at the Millennium Knickerbocker, planned by Lola Event Productions. Almost all of the couple’s guests traveled to Chicago for the wedding, so they wanted to plan an elegant urban wedding showing off the best the city had to offer! The Michigan Avenue hotel’s ornate Crystal Ballroom was home to both the elegant ceremony and the reception, which featured an array of classic floral arrangements by Exquisite Designs atop glitzy gold linens. Pretty pink napkins folded into bows dressed the hotel’s traditional art deco inspired china. We adore the traditional vibe of the long, stunning head table for the wedding party, which was awash in a sea of candles in front of dramatic ivory draping. Ending the evening? A delectable buffet of traditional Chicago treats, including deep dish pizza, mini hot dogs, and Italian beef sandwiches. This quintessential Chicago wedding is one of our favorites, and we love each beautiful image from Emilia Jane Photography!

Jordan and Joe’s Chicago wedding is all about classic, timeless glamour. After a ceremony in River North’s Holy Name Cathedral, the couple selected the venerable Millennium Knickerbocker for their reception—a venue with an old Chicago feel—and its stately ballroom with its gold gilded ceiling was the inspiration for their decor. Sarah from Vale of Enna worked magic in the ornate ballroom, creating romantic and lush centerpieces of candelabras, greenery, and white and ivory blooms. We simply adore this couple’s elegance and style, and the gorgeous images from Emilia Jane Photography!

Katie and Dan planned their nuptials in just four months, but these images from Two Birds Photography show flawless touches and attention to detail that belie the couple’s short engagement! Says bride Katie, “There were three main feelings we wanted our celebration to evoke: a classic feel, a cozy environment, and a fun atmosphere.” We think it’s an absolute success, starting with the venue, Chicago’s The Rookery. “It is such an amazing space with an incredible history that is deeply intertwined with the city,” says Katie. “Both grand and cozy.” From there, the couple looked to Exquisite Designs for florals that would accent the existing decor, including white roses, anemones, ranunculu, sweet peas, and hydrangeas.  In keeping with the chic, sophisticated feel of the day, bridesmaids wore black dresses by Amsale. Katie’s lace Rafael Cennamo gown from Dimitra’s bridal salon is stunning, and we love the edginess her black Jimmy Choo heels provide. Vintage decanters from Rent Vintage Chicago add a sparkle to the reception’s cream and gold decor, as does the gold bride and groom topper set on the cake from Sweet Mandy B’s. How we adore this elegant affair!

Amanda and Mike’s big city Chicago wedding portrays a certain sweetness that is both charming and sophisticated! Following a traditional Catholic ceremony at St. Josaphat Parish, the couple and their friends and family headed to the gorgeous Chicago History Museum for a night of great food and dancing, thanks to Blue Plate catering and tunes from Matt Lewis and The Union. Amanda says she wouldn’t change a thing about the day, and we can see why! From the lovely ice blue bridesmaids dresses from Bella Bridesmaids to her own amazing Tara Keely gown, the attire was simple and elegant. Emilia Jane Photography captured beautiful images—we especially adore the iconic photos with the backdrop of the Chicago skyline! We love the mix of baby’s breath, peach roses, and white peonies in floral designs by Revel Décor, as well as the adorable confection by Amy Beck Cake Design—there’s so much to love, catch it all in the gallery!

Rana and Andy’s Chicago wedding is classic and beautiful! The festivities began at the grand Holy Name Cathedral where the couple exchanged vows during a traditional Catholic ceremony. As guests made their way to Congress Plaza for the reception, the bridal party traveled to many of Chicago’s stunning vistas for portraits, including Olive Park, with its sweeping views of the skyline. The Gold Room at the Congress Plaza lives up to its name, and Anthony Gowder Designs created elegant decor befitting the gilded ballroom. Hydrangea and rose centerpieces paired with crisp white china and gold chiavari chairs for a crisp, sophisticated feel. After enjoying the decadent tiered confection from The Baking Institute, everyone danced the night away to tunes from Okyne Medialab. We’re head over heels for the stunning images from Artistrie Co.!

Emily and Daniel’s classic Cincinnati wedding is full of stunning fashion: we are swooning over her Jenny Packham gown and Jimmy Choo heels, and the chic gray Amsale bridesmaids dresses. After a ceremony at Plum Street Temple, where Emily was walked down the aisle by her 94 year-old grandfather, everyone traveled to the beautiful Cincinnati Country Club for the reception, which featured sophisticated and personal details. A mountain laurel motif on the stationery by M. Hopple & Co. honored Emily’s late father, a horticulturalist, and Emily and her family canned jars of her grandma’s apricot jam as favors. Emily comes from a family of gardeners, and selected garden roses, dahlias, hydrangeas, and dusty miller for the lovely florals created by Del Apgar. We especially adore the touches of orchids on the escort card table! Viva Bella Events made sure things went off without a hitch, and we are head over heels for the gorgeous images by Clary Photo as featured in Issue 4 of Magnolia Rouge Magazine!

The romance and softness of Emily and David’s Long Island City wedding belies the chaos of Manhattan just across the river, and we love the juxtaposition of both worlds in these images from Lindsay Madden! Appropriately held at Water’s Edge, with a breathtaking view of the city beyond, Emily and David began their married life together beneath a custom chuppah from Olam Wedding Canopies. She wore a Nicole Miller veil and gown, first spotted by her mother in the window of a Philadelphia bridal salon. Pastel flowers punctuated the venue and bridal party, including Emily’s bouquet—a mix of ranunculus, patience garden roses, parrot tulips, and Juliette garden roses in cream, white, and soft green and peach wrapped in antique white lace and ribbon—all by Sweet & Flower. Amidst the pale color palette, olive bridesmaids dresses from Amsale are rich touch that reference the fall season. Elegant decor and sparkly mercury glass continue the beautiful setting at the reception. We cannot choose a favorite from these stunning details!

There’s no better place on earth than Chicago in the summer, and no more beautiful spot in the city than Lincoln Park! The park’s stunning Cafe Brauer was the setting for Nina and Graeme’s beautiful wedding, in a lovely and unique palette of dove, lavender, and shades of purple. The fresh palette was a perfect match for the season! Bridesmaids chose their own dresses from Nordstrom’s Wedding Suite in shades of deep purple and gray, and their bouquets from Scarlet Petal also featured blooms in varied shades of purple—a lovely and unique look! Both ceremony and reception were held in Cafe Brauer’s Great Hall, and Five Grain Events transformed the room during cocktails from stately, classic ceremony to colorful and chic reception where guests danced the night away to the Stephanie Rogers Band. We love every little detail of this classic Chicago wedding from Shane Welch Photography!

It’s just a fact that everything is bigger in Texas, and Katy and Cort’s wedding is definitely big—on style, sophistication, and elegance. A beautiful ceremony at Saint Mary Cathedral gave way to one heck of a reception at The Driskill in Austin. We love all of the cream, taupe, and gold details in the decor, which complement the pale Amsale bridesmaids dresses from Bella Bridesmaid and the soft bouquets and arrangements by Last Petal. Katy’s gown, Emmaline by Vera Wang, is a jaw-dropper, with swaths of sheer fabric wrapped around the bodice and skirt. Soft details in paper goods by Letterpress Finesse lend a little color, while the lovely cake by The Driskill gets its interest from textures of white. We always love images from The Nichols, but this time the photography duo outdid themselves, capturing every detail of this fab day, which Lauren Carillo of Something to Celebrate Wedding & Event Coordination helped pull off. We want it all!

Modern and fresh Room 1520 was the setting for Alex and Charlotte’s gorgeous Chicago soiree! The ceremony beautifully brought together Charlotte’s Presbyterian background and Alex’s Jewish heritage, and, inspired by a sweet Southern summer, the couple, along with their wedding planner Beth Bernstein of SQN Events and florist Hello Darling, transformed the raw, industrial loft space with lovely garden-style arrangements, mercury glass vases, and a cozy lounge area. Working from a palate of soft grey, smoky lavender and sage green, the narrow rectangular tables created an intimate dinner party feel for the evening reception. We love Charlotte’s natural, curly updo and beautiful Monique Lhullier gown—she and Alex radiate love in the beautiful images from Olivia Leigh Photographie!

From the ceremony at Sts. Volodymyr and Olha Ukrainian Catholic Church to the reception at The Drake in Chicago, Stefanie and Matt’s weekend was filled with family, love, and lots of tradition the bride holds dear. “One of the many things that I love about Matt is that he has always embraced my Ukrainian heritage, which is a really significant part of my identity,” says Stefanie. The elaborate church ceremony included lush florals by Stems, with pale, mostly white bouquets that popped against taupe and black bridesmaids dresses from the Jenny Yoo Collection. Stefanie dazzled in an Oscar de la Renta gown that was topped off by a big, modern bow on the shoulder. Ukrainian custom called for an overflowing sweets table with desserts from family friends and Shokolad Pastry & Cafe, but the couple still offered a traditional tri-flavored cake made by Sarah’s Pastries & Candies. The lively end of the night included special dancing—the kolomeyka—by Stefanie’s family. We’re swept off our feet by this fun wedding documented to perfection by Melissa Hayes Photography!

When Liz and Eric went looking for a venue, they were seeking something that could capture the essence of quintessential Chicago. As soon as they saw Cafe Brauer at the Lincoln Park Zoo, they knew it was the place! Elegant, unique and timeless, they also loved the cafe’s central location. Their wedding design was inspired by the cafe’s classic architecture, with just a touch of garden sweetness added in. Oh and speaking of sweetness? The croquembouche to honor Liz’s year in France: swoon! The color palette of floral arrangements by Scarlet Petal includes the softest pinks and peaches in roses, tulips, stock and even some Queen Anne’s lace. We absolutely adore these photos by Alaina Bos Photography and hope you do, too!

Abby and Luke say they didn’t know what to expect from the finicky Midwest weather on their March wedding day but, from the looks of these photos from Amanda Hein Photography, we forecast happily ever after! From the bride’s structured, embellished Vwidon gown and the sleek backdrop of Chicago’s St. Alphonsus Catholic Church to the understated flowers and decor from Hello Darling, this affair was incredibly elegant. What we love most about this modern ceremony and reception is that the couple wasn’t afraid to go old-school for a little dancing fun—Sixteen Candles performed retro eighties hits so guests could groove all night long at the Union League Club of Chicago. Just like Air Supply sang, we’re lost in love!

Lesley and Matthew’s wedding was a blend of old world vintage and romantic with a beautiful and fresh color palette of apricot, gray and french blue. Their ceremony took place on the Tiffany-inspired staircase of Chicago’s Newberry Library, the bridal party lining each side of the staircase as guests looked on. The beautiful florals by the always breathtaking Fleur included some of my absolute favorites: ranunculus, dahlias, and juliet roses, with touches of pale blue hydrangea. I love how the framed table numbers and damask linens add texture to the table without distracting from the incredible flowers. A stunning wedding flawlessly pulled together by Greatest Expectations with gorgeous photos by Jennifer Kathryn Photography!

Ann and Brian were married at the Art Institute of Chicago‘s Modern Wing, the perfect venue for their vibrant color palette of black and white with pops of green and bright purples. The florals by Art Quest incorporated different types of orchids everywhere, from the huge white phalaenopsis in Ann’s bouquet to the bright green cymbidium and fuchsia phalaenopsis on the tables at the reception. The perfect flowers for a modern wedding!  This sleek, sophisticated event was flawlessly executed by Beth Bernstein of SQN Events and the fabulous photos were captured by Margaret Busk of Garbo Productions.

Gina and Mark’s wedding ceremony was held steps from my house!  Chicago’s gorgeous Holy Name Cathedral is a hotspot for weddings, especially in the summer, and I love seeing a peek into it through their beautiful ceremony and Clary Pfeiffer’s gorgeous photography. Gina grew up attending Christmas Mass with her mother, who passed away when Gina was 19, at Holy Name. Because it is one of the places where she has beautiful memories of her mother, she knew it was the perfect place to hold the ceremony.

Samantha and Max were married on a sparkling early fall day at the historical Duke Mansion in Charlotte, North Carolina. Samantha describes their wedding as “simple and classic elegance, with a touch of southern charm” and we couldn’t agree more! Samantha is ever so chic in what may be one of our favorite bridal looks ever: a structured Amsale gown (with pockets!) and a classic chignon styled by Be Pretty. A crisp and preppy color palette of navy, green and cream set the scene, and perfectly accented the whitewashed exterior of the mansion. The couple’s custom monogram is woven throughout the day, from the beautiful stationery by Elle Dee Designs to embroidered linen napkins, ceremony programs, and table numbers in swaths of navy calligraphy. Love and Honey and Lily Greenthumbs transformed the mansion’s courtyard into a secret garden, with creamy white florals, greenery and garlands, and lace-patterned linens under a canopy of string lights.  We couldn’t imagine a more beautiful Southern setting, and the day is captured perfectly by Cathy Durig Photography!

Lauren and Raymond both hail from large Italian families, so their East Meadow, NY wedding was no small affair! Their shared love for their heritage was incorporated throughout their reception at The Carltun, from the Italian menu to the vintage map of Italy re-purposed as escort cards and Italian love notes hand-calligraphed by Eliza Gwendalyn. The couple chose not to see each other before their ceremony, and recalls that “walking down the aisle and seeing each other for the first time was something so special that we will never regret.” We know that the moment of seeing Lauren in her elegant and sophisticated Monique Lhuillier gown will be forever in Raymond’s memory! Lauren and Raymond worked with Pedestals for the classic ballroom reception, featuring hydrangea, sahara roses, and glimmering candlelight. Each moment captured by Michelle Lange Photography and NST Pictures is perfection!