Effortless + Chic Chicago Wedding

NYC has some incredible wedding venues, and Long Island City’s The Foundry is sublimely chic. It was an absolutely perfect setting for Aynsley and Nate’s cozy, modern urban wedding. The couple worked with Saipua to bring their whimsical, rustic vibe to life. From the ceremony’s stunning, wild arbor to the garden-style centerpieces in shades of lavender and blush, Saipua created unique and natural florals to accent the soaring space. The couple paid homage to family tradition by inviting their parents to present well-wishes during the ceremony in lieu of a reading, and their Momofuku Milk Bar cake was adorned with a cake topper used in Aynsley’s parents’ and grandparents’ weddings. Aynsley is a vision in a Stone Fox Bride gown with a simple floral wreath adorning her loose waves. We’re sure you’ll agree that this incredible wedding from Jen Huang Photography is one of this year’s most lovely!

The sweeping views of Public Chicago‘s Ava Terrace set the stage for Erica and Troy’s gorgeous Windy City soiree! The couple set out to create a warm and welcoming affair for their nearest and dearest, and were treated to a picture-perfect Chicago day for their October nuptials. Estera Events designed a ceremony and reception with an urban, modern touch. Erica and Troy said their vows in a circle of prairie grass and ferns, after which guests moved downstairs to the Library Bar to sip cocktails before being seated for a full five-course candlelit dinner. Vale of Enna worked with Erica and Troy to bring their modern romance theme to life with elegant florals overflowing with foliage. For the intimate reception, organic and lush arrangements of ferns, taper candles, and roses graced a large king’s table. A wedding planner herself, Erica knew that their day would go by in the blink of an eye, and made sure to take several moments throughout the evening to truly take in all of the joy. We know they will cherish all of the gorgeous images from Julia Franzosa Photography!

Kim and Baback’s St. Louis wedding is absolutely enchanting! The couple wanted their wedding to be very classic and elegant, while giving nods to both of their families and cultures. Baback’s Persian culture was represented in the Sofreh Aghd—the traditional Persian wedding table, where each item on the table has a symbolic meaning for the life of the newly-married couple—and their Roman Catholic ceremony at Saint Francis Xavier College Church honored Kim’s family traditions. Kim’s bouquet from Belli Fiori was wrapped with a lace glove from her paternal grandmother’s wedding and decorated with earrings and charms from her maternal grandmother’s wedding. Their reception in The Coronado‘s ballroom featured soft pastel florals of garden roses, hydrangea and ranunculus, and each succulent (which doubled as place cards and favors) was planted by the bride’s mother. The love that this couple shares comes alive in the gorgeous images from Clary Pfeiffer Fine Art Photography!

On a snowy Chicago night, Laura and John were married at one of the most unique and beautiful venues, Salvage One. Working with Pistil and Vine, the couple created an intimate dinner party feel in the gorgeous architectural space. Arrangements in ivory and green adorn the wood tabletops with mismatched chairs, and fresh flowers surround a tiered confection from Alliance Bakery. Laura’s Monique Lhuillier long-sleeve gown from Ultimate Bride is sophisticated and vintage-inspired, and Amsale bridesmaids dresses in shades of blush and slate perfectly complement the rich brown tones of the venue. We’re head over heels for each and every image by Julia Franzosa!

Syreeta and David’s at The Peninsula is modern Chicago elegance. Kehoe Designs worked with a clean color palette of silver, black, and ivory to transform the Peninsula’s ballroom for the ceremony, with a classic white uplit chuppah and lush florals elevated in black urns. The guest list was comprised of immediate family, so in lieu of a traditional reception, everyone was treated to cocktails followed by an intimate dinner at a feasting table with a lush rolling landscape of white floral, woven between gorgeous black candelabras. We have to gush over this incredibly fashionable couple: David is the epitome of the dashing groom in a Yves Saint Laurent tux, Tom Ford tie, and Prada shoes, and Syreeta is absolutely glowing in a J. Crew gown, BHLDN headpiece, and sparkly Christian Louboutin heels. We love the easy elegance of this beautiful wedding from Justine Bursoni Photography!

Matt and Sable’s romantic urban wedding had us at hello! Indianapolis’ The Columbia Club was the setting for their chic soiree, which features bold metallics (how fabulous are the gold La Femme bridesmaids dresses?), a punchy palette (loving the garnet!), and just the right touch of glam. Pardon us while we crush on Sable’s gorgeous Enzoani Finley gown and curls! Sweet Pea Floral Design created colorful reception arrangements in shades of peach, blush, and garnet, which set atop luxe silver linens. Megan W Photography captured the day to perfection—we are in love!

Gray and yellow are a hot trend in modern color palettes, and the combo was perfect for Elena and Andrew’s contemporary affair at Chicago’s Galleria Marchetti. The mix of sunny and stormy carried over into ceremony programs that doubled as fans for guests, as well as their elegant gray, yellow and white bouquets and arrangements by Stems. Elena’s Melissa Sweet gown—with unique dimensional flowers gracing the bodice and skirt—stood out just enough from Andrew’s gray Banana Republic suit and the J. Crew bridesmaids dresses in the same hue. Inside a draped tent dotted with yellow and white Chinese hanging lanterns, guests toasted with a signature drink—a Moscow Mule—and danced to the couple’s DIY playlist as Laura Ivanova Photography captured the entire celebration into the night.

When it came time for Nina and Eric to choose a location for their “simple yet elegant” wedding festivities, the New York City-based couple knew they wanted to celebrate in Chicago, where they grew up, met and fell in love. The W Chicago – City Center had just the right amount of ornate architecture and modern design they wanted. Nina and Eric called on Clary Photo to document their day, and we love how the images capture all of the details and romantic moments of the affair. Soft flowers in shades of ivory, pink, and gray—plus a touch of orange—from Fleur anchored the ceremony and reception; the bouquets were a sophisticated accent to the gray bridesmaids dresses from J.Crew. Nina chose a classic Anne Barge gown with a jeweled waist, but as a nod to her Korean heritage, the couple’s mothers were traditional Hanboks during the ceremony. Alliance Bakery continued the sophisticated theme with a four-tier wedding cake topped with more sweet blooms, while Nina and Eric added a punch of fun color with pink and orange serving pieces from Leif.

When you fall in love with your wedding venue, you just know, no matter what your plans originally were. Amanda and Vlad planned for a Colorado wedding, but they never knew what hit them as they stepped foot onto Bella Collina’s stunning grounds in Florida. Reminiscent of the Tuscan countryside, it was love at first sight for the duo and it just jived so well with their romantic wedding vision that we get to fawn over thanks to Kristen Weaver Photography‘s epic photos. The white florals and greenery by Lee James Floral looked resplendent against the venue’s landscape, but no matter how glorious the blooms looked, it just couldn’t compare to Amanda and Vlad looking like a million bucks. They stole the show, for sure!

The word ‘beautiful’ barely does justice for this Scottish Rite Cathedral Wedding, photographed by Danielle Harris Photography! Patia and George envisioned a quintessentially classic wedding in the heart of Indianapolis. The Scottish Rite Cathedral, with its richly appointed ballroom, was decked out from head to toe with lush greenery and overflowing blooms in vases that the couple collected in the year leading up to their wedding. The beautiful patina of the blue and white pottery paired with the spectacular space makes for a stunning affair that we know you’re going to adore!

Meg and Kevin held an intimate and sophisticated wedding at one of Chicago’s most laid-back venues, Ovation. Theirs was a true Chicago wedding: their rehearsal dinner, welcome party, and wedding venue were all located within a half mile from their house! Inspired by Kinfolk and Anthropologie, they chose exposed wood, rustic tables, and a less is more vibe, which was beautifully carried out by their wedding planner, Laura Hayes of Anticipation Events. The couple decided to forego the traditional wedding party and had only a best man and maid of honor, but spent the morning getting ready with their closest friends. Meg donned a lovely Sarah Seven gown, accented with her favorite leather jacket! We adore the intimate and warm feel of every moment captured by Charming in Love!

Christina and Pablo are high school sweethearts, and friends and family from around the world converged onto St Petersburg, Florida for their classic wedding at the St. Pete Museum of Fine Arts. A black and white color palette and black tie wedding party attire added an elegant touch. The museum’s natural beauty needed little in the way of decor, so petite centerpieces from Northside Florist atop shimmering linens added a finishing touch to the expansive room. Bridesmaids selected their favorite black dresses from Azazie, while Christina was radiant in a lace mermaid gown from The White Magnolia Bridal Collection. Loving the love and cheer in the beautiful images from Caroline & Evan Photography!

Barbara and Sam selected the modern, whitewashed interior and lush garden of Blanc to play host to their Denver nuptials. A Vintage Affair Events tied in classic elements with the venue’s industrial vibe. Everything about their intimate soiree feels relaxed and organic, from the colorful centerpieces by Park Floral Design alongside copper flatware, to the greenery photo booth installation that doubled as the couple’s ketubah signing backdrop. We are head over heels for Barbara’s chic Kate McDonald gown and braided waves, and the coordinating bridesmaids dresses in shades of blue and purple. Prepare to fall in love with the beautiful images from Michele Hart!

Rachel and Clark were married on a crisp, clear Alabama winter day. After attending a number of wonderful but scorching summer soirees, the couple selected January 23rd (1/23!) for their nuptials, and after they chose the date, they realized that the “stars” were literally aligned for the occasion: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn were in perfect alignment! Whether it was due to the celestial phenomenon or the flawless execution by Invision Events—or both!—their day went off without a hitch. After a private ceremony in their church during winter’s golden hour, the couple and their guests made their way to the Birmingham Museum of Art, where everyone enjoyed fantastic food from A Social Affair and danced the night away to the Chad Fisher Group. We love the unexpected color palette of marsala, ice blue, and ivory, brought to life in exquisite florals from Buffy Hargett. Many of the larger arrangements featured unusual combinations such as kale, turnips, pomegranate, and quince, which blooms only in January! We are swooning over every lovely moment captured by Mary Margaret Smith Photography!

There are some days that are simply perfect, and today is one of those days, because at long last, we are debuting Aisle Society to the world, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to share the absolutely gorgeous Aisle Society official brand shoot that I styled with Lauren of Every Last Detail and a dream team of Chicago’s best wedding pros at downtown’s most fabulous wedding venue, Chez. Together with the ladies from Estera Events, we set out to create an event that would showcase all of the things that Aisle Society represents: fun, friendship, community, and of course, utterly beautiful wedding inspiration! Dramatic draping from Drape Kings was the centerpiece of the room, swathed along the ceiling and leading to a ceremony altar flanked by simple but show-stopping eucalyptus arrangements from Fleur. In the rest of the details, we bathed the whitewashed space in color! Our gorgeous ladies donned frocks from Bella Bridesmaids and David’s Bridal in shades from blush to dusty blue and flowing Truvelle and Sarah Seven bridal gowns, carrying bouquets of vibrant summer blooms. The modern but elegant tabletop features glimmering sequin linens and rose gold chargers and amazing confetti popper menus from Sarah Drake Design. I’m brimming with excitement for you to watch the video of the day by the insanely talented Nicodem Creative (I dare you not to get goose bumps!) and see every gorgeous image from Alexis June Weddings!

We are absolutely charmed by Jessica and Will’s pretty Maryland wedding. Theirs was an intimate and relaxed affair, with classic touches and a graceful garden setting at Strong Mansion. Everyone who plans an outdoor wedding envisions picture-perfect weather, and several days before, the couple had made peace with having a rainy wedding day. But imagine their delight when on the day of the wedding, the rain ceased just in the nick of time, allowing for their outdoor ceremony! Their non-traditional vows included the best man acting as the officiant and a special surprise for Jessica, as Will surprised her with a recorded version of “She’s Got a Way” for her walk down the aisle, featuring him as the vocalist and her father playing the piano. Pretty peach and blue centerpieces from Love Blooms peppered the reception tent and everyone danced the night away to the tunes of  DC Fusion (including rocking the togas for “Shout”!) We adore every beautiful image from one of our favorites, Michael and Carina!

Modern and sophisticated, Melissa and Michael’s Chicago wedding at Hotel Allegro captivated us from the moment we set eyes upon it! The couple worked with Bianca of Estera Events to bring their vision of a chic, contemporary spring wedding to life. Working with a sleek color palette of silver, white, green, and navy, the always-fabulous Fleur created arrangements with an assortment of candles and white peonies, hydrangea, tulips, and garden roses. Every element down to the gorgeous cake from Alliance Bakery featured snowy white blooms! We simply adore Melissa’s classic bridal updo and natural makeup by Sonia Roselli, a perfect complement to her trumpet gown. Each moment is beautifully captured by Kina Wicks Photography!

There simply isn’t one single thing we don’t adore about Jen and Jesse’s modern Brooklyn wedding. Rather than a formal dinner, the couple chose to enjoy a progressive cocktail party with their guests, a perfect mix of formality and casualness. Liberty Warehouse set the perfect scene with its industrial aesthetic. The organic greenery from Violet and Verde highlighted the brick, wood, and metal throughout the venue. As if their locale couldn’t get more breathtaking, Jen’s father created a wooden altar from scratch that, paired with Violet and Verde‘s floral, made an exquisite and personal ceremony backdrop. Jen is a vision in her Blush by Hayley Paige dress from The White Gown and the bridesmaids’ dresses add just the right pop of color. Even their choice of wedding date is perfection—they were married on Loving Day, the anniversary of the overturning of the criminalization of interracial marriage in the US. We know that you’ll join with us in falling head over heels for every sweet moment as captured by Kat Harris Photography!

When two architects fall in love and marry, you know you are going to have one stylish day! Laura and Eric fell in love with The Kampong at first sight, and with its contemporary architecture and beautiful gardens, it was a fitting setting for their interfaith ceremony and intimate reception. Persnickety Events worked with the couple to design a classic reception with garden-style arrangements from Anthology Co. Blush and ivory blooms on dove gray linens are offset by modern white vessels, and escort cards were nestled in a display of ferns, bringing the outdoors in. It was a drizzly South Florida day, but that only added to the tropical feel of these gorgeous images from Becca Borge!

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!