Taylor & Drew’s Winter Wedding at Renaissance Chicago Downtown

Ever since Taylor & Drew got engaged, I had been looking forward to their winter Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding. It’s true! I first heard from Drew in fall 2018, when he was planning his perfect surprise proposal over Thanksgiving weekend. Lucky me: I got to be there for the moment, meet Taylor, and capture it all! Needless to say, I was beyond excited when they decided to have me join them on wedding day 🙂

These two are an absolute delight to photograph together – never a moment when they’re not smiling from ear to ear, or stealing a glance from each other. I knew their wedding was going to be good! Drew and Taylor’s candlelit ceremony was officiated by a close friend, and I don’t think their smiles ever faded. Guests celebrated with food, drink and dancing… thanks to Bluewater Kings, that dance floor was jumping until the lights came on!

Little did I know this would be the last wedding I’d get to capture for… well, who knows how long. But honestly, I couldn’t ask for a happier day to reminisce about those pre-pandemic times. This couple’s joy is truly contagious, and gives me hope for brighter days ahead. Can’t wait to get back to weddings once it’s safe to do so <3

Taylor and Drew: Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart, for having me tag along in this part of your journey. Wishing you a lifetime of health and happiness in your future together.

Vendor Team

Venue: Renaissance Chicago Downtown/Wedding Planner: Blue Moon Events/Bride’s dress: Rita Vinieris/Bride’s shoes: Prada/Groom’s suit: Hugo Boss/Groom’s shoes: Cole Haan/Florals: The Flower Girl Company/Hair Stylist: Landon James/Makeup Artist: Lerin Johnson/Invitation: Minted/Rings: Reuven Gitter Jewelers/Live Band: Bluewater Kings/Caterer: Renaissance Chicago Downtown/2nd shooter: Jeremy

Bride and groom in front of CHICAGO Theatre on State Street at their Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
View of Chicago River and downtown from Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding suite
Bride's dress hanging in window at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Bridal details and minimalist black and white invitation for Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Bridal details and perfume in hotel room at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Bride's shoes and bouquet with memorial charm at winter Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Close up photo of wedding invitation and bride's jewelry at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Groom getting ready at home for winter Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Close up photo of groom getting ready at home for Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Groom and groomsmen at home on balcony before Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Groom and groomsmen clink glasses on balcony at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Groom and groomsmen cheers whiskey glasses before Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Bride's mother getting dress ready for daughter in hotel room at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Close up photo of mother buttoning bride's dress at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Bride fastening her shoes in hotel room at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Bride puts on shoes in hotel room before Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Bride and mother enter room for dress reveal with bridesmaids at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Happy bridesmaids cheer as bride enters hotel room in dress at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Happy bride and bridesmaids in hotel room at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Bride and groom's first look under skylight at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Happy groom during couple's first look at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Bride's face during first look at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Happy bride and groom under skylight at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Wedding party photo on couches under skylight at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Candid photo of wedding party crossing street at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Wedding party photo on bridge over Chicago Riverwalk at winter Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Candid photo of happy wedding party on bridge at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Candid photo of bride and groom walking down street before Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Full wedding party photo in front of CHICAGO Theatre at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Wedding party crosses street in front of Chicago Theatre before Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding ceremony
Happy bride and groom in front of Chicago Theatre before Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding ceremony
Bride and groom on State Street before Renaissance Chicago Downtown winter wedding
Candid photo of happy bride and groom on State Street before their Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Black and white photo of bride and groom in front of Chicago Theatre before Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Bride and bridesmaids in black dresses at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Happy bride and bridesmaids hugging at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Happy groom and groomsmen in black tuxedos at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Groom and Best Man in tuxedos and bow tie at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Bride and Maid of Honor before Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding ceremony
Bride and groom on staircase at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Bride and groom on patio at their Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Candid photo of bride and groom laughing on patio at their Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Full wedding party on patio during Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Welcome sign with engagement photo of bride and groom at their Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Escort card table with floral centerpiece at winter Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Close up photo of minimalist escort cards at winter Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Ceremony floral decor with baby's breath at Renaissance Chicago Downtown winter wedding
Groom's mother helps pin his boutonnière at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Mother of groom smiles as she pins his boutonnière before Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding ceremony
Bride and father walk down the aisle during romantic candlelit ceremony at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Bride and father walk down aisle toward groom during romantic candlelit Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Happy groom and groomsmen watch bride walk down aisle during Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding ceremony with candlelight and chandelier decor
Candid photo of bride smiling at groom during Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding ceremony
Bride and groom listen to officiant during Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Candid photo of bride and groom laughing during Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding ceremony
Parents watch during Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding ceremony
Black and white photo of Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding ceremony
Family watches during emotional Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding ceremony
Happy groom smiles at bride during Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding ceremony
Bride and groom laugh during emotional Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding ceremony
Bride and groom exchange rings during Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding ceremony
Bride and groom's first kiss during winter Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding ceremony
Just married bride and groom cheer after their Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding ceremony
Candid photo of happy bride and groom walking down aisle after their Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding venue and hotel at night
Guests enjoy cocktail hour under skylight architecture at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Musician trio plays during cocktail hour at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Wine offerings on bar during cocktail hour at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Bride mingles with guests during cocktail hour at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Guests enjoy cocktail hour during Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Mini slider appetizers served at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Bride and groom's custom matchbook favors at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Happy guests during cocktail hour at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Candid photo of guests mingling during cocktail hour at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Local beer offerings on bar at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Mini appetizer platter at winter Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Bride and grandparents smile for photo at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding reception space with floral centerpieces and chandelier
Bride and groom's custom menu place setting at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Wedding cake with candlelight and chandelier decor at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Floral cake topper decor at Renaissance Chicago Downtown winter wedding
Bride and groom's custom escort card and candlelight on head table at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding reception table decor and candlelight
Floral cake decor and candlelight detail at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Bride and groom enter their Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding reception
Bride and groom cut their stunning floral cake during Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Bride and groom smile with cake at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Candid photo of bride and groom entering their Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding reception
Bride and groom's ballroom first dance at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Candid photo of groom's happy face during first dance at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Groom twirls bride on dance floor during Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding reception
Bride and groom's first dance in ballroom at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Father of Bride welcomes guests during Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Best Man gives entertaining speech during Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding reception
Father of Bride gives welcome toast at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Maid of Honor speech in ballroom at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Guests applaud during Best Man speech at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Candid photo of bride and groom laughing during speech at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Candid photo of Best Man during speech at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding reception
Candid photo of groom dancing with mother at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Mother son dance on ballroom floor at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Father daughter dance in ballroom at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Bride dances with grandfather during Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding reception
Live band Bluewater Kings perform at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Guests celebrate on dance floor during Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding reception
Mother of the bride celebrates on dance floor at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Bride and father in law dance during Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding reception
Bride celebrates with guests on dance floor during Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Fun photo of grandmothers dancing during Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding reception
Guests dance during Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding reception
Guests celebrate on open dance floor during Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Candid photo of groom laughing on dance floor at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Guests dance with colorful glowsticks at Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding reception
Happy bride and groom kiss on dance floor during their Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Night photo of downtown Chicago outside Renaissance Chicago Downtown hotel
Bride and groom kiss with streetlights at night outside their Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding
Happy bride and groom on Chicago street at night during their Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding

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