Intimate Cafe Brauer Wedding in Lincoln Park – Zoe & Jake

On a lovely spring morning in March, I was honored to attend Jake and Zoe’s intimate Cafe Brauer wedding. In fact, along with my Associate-in-Training (hi Dana!), we were the only official guests! Zoe and Jake had been planning a grand celebration in New Orleans for their wedding day. When 2020 happened, they were certain of one thing: they were going to get married that day no matter what!

Zoe’s words:

Even though our wedding will be a small affair, we wanted a dramatic and beautiful location. We’re excited to have an intimate wedding and exchange vows with just each other — and then we’ll have a party with our friends and family once it’s safe.”

If you’re looking for a dramatic and beautiful place to get married in Chicago, look no further than Cafe Brauer! This historic building is a true Chicago landmark, right in the middle of Lincoln Park. Which means, of course, plenty of prime photo locations all within walking distance (and easy rain plan, too!). I am not at all surprised that these two decided to exchange vows here!

Jake and Zoe got ready separately before meeting for their emotional First Look. Zoe was lucky enough to have her mom join us at the hotel in the morning – these are some of my favorite moments from the whole day! When we arrived at Cafe Brauer, the couple exchanged handwritten love letters before seeing each other for the first time. These two warned me there might be some tears… and they weren’t joking! After their personal vows, I don’t think there was a dry eye in the place. It always seems like intimate weddings tend to get more emotional… and they are my absolute favorite to photograph for this reason 🙂

Zoe and Jake: THANK YOU again for having me capture these beautiful moments for you. Your wedding day was a pleasure to be a part of! Wishing you a lifetime of happiness together!!

Vendor Team

Venue: Cafe Brauer/Hotel: Waldorf Astoria/Bride’s dress: BHLDN/Bride’s shoes: A New Day/Groom’s suit: Suit Supply/Groom’s tie: purchased in Italy/Florals: Flowers for Dreams/Officiant: Wedding Day Chicago/Hair & Makeup: We Only Do Pretty/Stationery: Shutterfly, Zazzle/Bride’s rings: Phil Greengus/Groom’s ring: Grown Rings/Cake: Bittersweet

Cafe Brauer wedding photo of bride and groom holding hands outside venue in Lincoln Park
Photo of Waldorf Astoria hotel downtown Chicago with blue sky
Chicago couple's Save the Date for their intimate Cafe Brauer wedding
Chicago couple's Postponed announcement for their Cafe Brauer wedding during COVID-19 pandemic
Unique wedding bands and diamond engagement ring with florals at couple's Cafe Brauer wedding
Bride's bouquet and shoes for spring Cafe Brauer wedding in Lincoln Park
Morning view of downtown Chicago from Waldorf Astoria hotel room suite
Cutting cake with pink florals and buttercream frosting for spring Cafe Brauer wedding
Bride's dress hanging on hotel room mirror before spring Cafe Brauer wedding
Bride and mom reach for wedding dress before spring Cafe Brauer wedding ceremony
Mom helps bride zip up gown in hotel room before spring Cafe Brauer wedding
Candid photo of happy bride smiling in hotel room before spring Cafe Brauer wedding
Bride's mother helps zip wedding dress in hotel room before Cafe Brauer wedding
Bride's mother helps fasten shoes before spring Cafe Brauer wedding
Bride fastens earrings in hotel room before Cafe Brauer wedding ceremony
Bride and mom put on shoes in hotel before leaving for Cafe Brauer wedding ceremony
Bride and mother hug in hotel room before intimate Cafe Brauer wedding ceremony
Entrance sign to Cafe Brauer wedding venue in Lincoln Park, Chicago
Bride arrives at Cafe Brauer before spring wedding ceremony
Happy groom in blue suit and green tie before spring Cafe Brauer wedding ceremony
Groom reads personal letter from bride before their first look at Cafe Brauer wedding venue
Groom fastens watch while getting ready for Cafe Brauer wedding ceremony
Groom reads letter from bride before their Cafe Brauer wedding ceremony
Bride reads letter from groom on grand staircase before Cafe Brauer wedding ceremony
Bride reads letter from groom on staircase before their Cafe Brauer wedding ceremony
Bride on staircase reading letter from groom before their Cafe Brauer wedding ceremony
Bride walks toward groom for their first look at Cafe Brauer's Great Hall
Bride taps groom on shoulder for their first look at Cafe Brauer wedding venue
Happy bride and groom during their first look at Cafe Brauer wedding venue in Lincoln Park
Candid photo of bride and groom during their first look in The Great Hall at Cafe Brauer
Bride and groom's first look in the Great Hall at Cafe Brauer wedding venue
Grand ceiling and skylight at Cafe Brauer wedding venue in Lincoln Park
Intimate wedding ceremony at historic Cafe Brauer Great Hall in Lincoln Park under skylight
Candid photo of bride and groom during their intimate Cafe Brauer wedding ceremony
Candid photo of emotional groom reading vows during Cafe Brauer wedding ceremony
Bride and groom hold hands during historic Cafe Brauer wedding ceremony in the Great Hall
Candid photo of bride and groom laughing during their intimate Cafe Brauer wedding ceremony
Emotional bride and groom wipe away tears during intimate Cafe Brauer wedding ceremony
Bride wipes tears from groom's face during emotional Cafe Brauer wedding ceremony
Bride reads vows to groom during intimate Cafe Brauer wedding ceremony
Bride and groom embrace during their intimate Cafe Brauer wedding ceremony in The Great Hall
Groom reads vows to bride during intimate Cafe Brauer wedding ceremony
Bride and groom exchange rings during intimate Cafe Brauer wedding ceremony in The Great Hall
View of bride and groom's intimate Cafe Brauer wedding ceremony from balcony with skylight
Bride and groom's first kiss during intimate Cafe Brauer wedding ceremony
Creative photo of bride and groom dancing on staircase after Cafe Brauer wedding ceremony
Close up photo of bride's wedding ring on hand around groom's neck after their Cafe Brauer wedding ceremony
Fun photo of bride and groom walking in front of Cafe Brauer after their intimate wedding ceremony
Just married bride and groom smile in front of venue after Cafe Brauer wedding ceremony
Dreamy photo of bride and groom holding hands walking through park after their Cafe Brauer wedding ceremony
Chicago skyline sign on bridge over Lincoln Park South Pond
Happy bride and groom walk on bridge with Chicago skyline after their intimate Cafe Brauer wedding ceremony
Bride and groom embrace on bridge with Chicago skyline after their Cafe Brauer wedding ceremony
Just married bride and groom cheer with Chicago skyline after their intimate Cafe Brauer wedding during COVID-19 pandemic
Just married bride and groom under Lincoln Park Honeycomb after their Cafe Brauer wedding ceremony
Romantic photo of bride and groom kissing under Honeycomb after their Cafe Brauer wedding ceremony
Romantic photo of bride and groom kissing outside their spring Cafe Brauer wedding
Candid photo of bride and groom walking under Honeycomb in Lincoln Park after their Cafe Brauer wedding
Black and white photo of bride and groom getting cozy under Honeycomb in Lincoln Park after their Cafe Brauer wedding
Romantic photo of bride and groom kissing with Honeycomb at Lincoln Park after their Cafe Brauer wedding
Just married bride and groom on stairs at Lincoln Park Grant Monument after their spring Cafe Brauer wedding
Happy bride and groom look at wedding rings on stairs at Lincoln Park after Cafe Brauer wedding ceremony
Just married bride and groom look at their rings on stairs at Lincoln Park after Cafe Brauer wedding
Portrait of happy bride with lush bouquet at spring Cafe Brauer wedding
Romantic photo of bride and groom on grand staircase at their intimate Cafe Brauer wedding
Bride's lush spring bouquet with green and white blooms at Cafe Brauer wedding
Romantic photo of bride and groom kissing on staircase after their Cafe Brauer wedding ceremony
Happy bride and groom cheers with champagne bottle after their Cafe Brauer wedding ceremony
Candid photo of bride and groom popping champagne bottle in front of Cafe Brauer wedding venue
Just married bride and groom pop champagne in front of Cafe Brauer wedding venue after their intimate ceremony

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