Elaine & Jeremy’s Chicago Wedding at South Branch Tavern & Grille

September is here, and today I’m throwing it back to one of our favorite September weddings ever. Elaine and Jeremy tied the knot at South Branch Tavern & Grille one year ago this week! We’re thrilled to have been there to capture this happy day… starting with getting ready at the J.W. Marriott and ending with a PARTY on the dance floor 🙂

When I first heard from Elaine, she described their wedding vision this way:

“The ‘theme’ is sort of fall vibes, but no pumpkin spice lattes. Earthy colors, lots of foliage, burnt sienna, deep greens, neutrals and pops of gold (I think). We are definitely not having a traditional wedding. It’s at a bar so I guess you could say we want it to feel sort of like a party.”

Spoiler alert: it felt EXACTLY like a party!! Guests were excited to celebrate these two even before the ceremony started.

South Branch Tavern & Grille Wedding

That evening, Jeremy and Elaine were married outside South Branch Tavern surrounded by their loved ones. It was one of those perfect Chicago-weather days: the kind you can never plan for, but also will never forget. Once they said I Do, the celebration was in full swing! Family and friends enjoyed delicious food, great company, and custom cocktails named after the newlyweds’ cats. But the party didn’t stop there… DJ Alli kept the dance floor alive, and if you ask me, Elaine’s reception dress stole the show. Nohemi and Trevor did an awesome job capturing the joy of this day and night!

Elaine and Jeremy: Thank you again for having us last year!! We couldn’t be happier for you two – wishing you the very best in Married Life!

Romantic photo of bride and groom standing on Monroe Street Bridge in Chicago before their wedding at South Branch Tavern and Grille
Exterior of J.W. Marriott
Groom's shoes, beige pocket square, and green bow tie at the J.W. Marriott in downtown Chicago
Wooden ring box with twin heart cutouts at the J.W. Marriott in downtown Chicago
Bride's clutch, shoes with rhinestones, and a glittery necklace at J.W. Marriott in downtown Chicago
Black and white photo of bride's floral lace strapless wedding gown bodice with beading and sheer fabric
Black and white photo of bride in a lace robe applying lipstick in front of a mirror while getting ready at the J.W. Marriott in downtown Chicago
Black and white photo of groom adjusting his tie while looking out of a window in his room at the J.W. Marriott in downtown Chicago
Black and white photo of bride smiling as friend helps zip her dress by a window at the J.W. Marriott in downtown Chicago
Exterior of South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago
Bride walking towards groom on the Monroe Street Bridge during their first look
Bride walks toward groom on the Monroe Street Bridge in downtown Chicago
Bride and groom during their first look on downtown Chicago bridge before their South Branch Tavern and Grille wedding
Bride and groom embrace and kiss on the Monroe Street Bridge, with the tall buildings of downtown Chicago in the background
Bride and groom hold hands and smile at each other on the Monroe Street Bridge during their first look
Bride and groom stand on Monroe Street Bridge with river view before their South Branch Tavern wedding
Bride in a white dress and groom in a black tuxedo with a green bow tie, smiling and leaning on a metal beam on Monroe Street Bridge in downtown Chicago
The bridal party poses on the Monroe Street Bridge in downtown Chicago, with bridesmaids in dark green dresses and the bride in a stunning white gown.
Groom and groomsmen stand on the Monroe Street Bridge, posing and smiling against the downtown Chicago cityscape in the background
An outdoor wedding setup with rows of white chairs between tall office buildings in an urban plaza, just steps away from South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago.
Elegant floral arrangement in a tall beige vase, featuring a mix of dried grasses, white roses, and greenery, set in the outdoor area of South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago
Bride in a flowing dress holding a bouquet of flowers stands on the Monroe Street Bridge with downtown Chicago's buildings in the background
Wedding party walks along a city sidewalk near South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago
Groom walks along the sidewalk near South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago
Bride and bridesmaids stroll walk near South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago with tall buildings looming in the background
Ring bearer in a blue suit and green sneakers walks along a path near South Branch Tavern downtown Chicago
Flower girl in a floral dress, joyfully tossing petals from a basket along the aisle outside South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago
Bride and bridesmaids holding bouquets and walking outdoors into wedding ceremony at South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago
Black and white photo of bride and bridesmaids walking down the aisle at the South Branch Tavern ceremony space in downtown Chicago, surrounded by guests on both sides
Outdoor wedding ceremony in downtown Chicago, featuring a modern building backdrop, officiant, couple, and seated guests at South Branch Tavern
A woman holds ring bearer on her lap during South Branch Tavern wedding in downtown Chicago; other attendees are seated around them
Bride in a lace wedding gown and veil smiling during outdoor wedding ceremony at South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago
Groom smiles while standing outside South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago
Groomsmen and guests seated on white chairs during outdoor wedding ceremony at South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago
Two bridesmaids in green dresses seated holding flower bouquets during outdoor ceremony at South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago
Black and white photo of a bride and groom during a wedding ceremony at South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago, with an officiant standing beside them
Black and white photo of bride and groom stand facing each other during their wedding ceremony at the South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago, with the officiant standing next to them
Bride and groom stand with an officiant outdoors during wedding ceremony at South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago
Officiant reads from a brown folder during wedding ceremony at South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago
Bride and groom kiss during their outdoor wedding ceremony at South Branch Tavern, with downtown Chicago in the background
A bride and groom smiling and bowing at their South Branch Tavern wedding ceremony with guests seated nearby
Black and white photo of happy bride and groom walking down the aisle at South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago, surrounded by applauding guests
Newlyweds walking down an aisle outdoors with guests seated, against the beautiful backdrop of South Branch Tavern downtown Chicago.
Bride and groom exiting their wedding ceremony at South Branch Tavern and Grille in downtown Chicago
Portrait of wedding party outside South Branch Tavern after outdoor wedding ceremony
Happy newlywed couple poses outside South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago
Bride and groom kiss in downtown Chicago before their South Branch Tavern wedding reception
Black and white photo of wedding party outside the South Branch Tavern with downtown Chicago skyline backdrop
Two cat-themed drink menus and cocktails sit on a counter at South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago, with people blurred in the background.
Tray of appetizers garnished with greens alongside a cup of decorative skewers at South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago
Tray with skewers of bacon-wrapped appetizers garnished with chopped herbs at South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago
Bride speaking with guests during South Branch Tavern wedding reception in downtown Chicago
An elderly woman and a young girl in floral dresses dance together outdoors at a social gathering, reminiscent of the lively events often hosted at South Branch Tavern downtown Chicago.
Guests celebrating on the riverside patio of South Branch Tavern during summer wedding reception
Newlyweds smiling and holding drinks at South Branch Tavern wedding reception in downtown Chicago
Bride and groom share a kiss on a riverside patio at South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago
Reception space of the South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago
A stack of colorful sequined hats next to three disposable cameras on a table with flowers for wedding reception at South Branch Tavern
A framed wedding photo, small floral vases, and wedding reception decorations on memory table near a window at the South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago
A reflective mirror seating chart with 13 numbered table cards, each listing guest names, displayed on an easel at South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago
A green guest book with
Rows of white place cards with names arranged on a table at South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago, blurred vases in the background.
Guest table setting at South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago, adorned with wine glasses, lush greenery, and a
Close-up of a simple floral centerpiece in a glass vase, surrounded by champagne flutes and a lit candle on a wooden table at South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago
Guest table featuring flowers and glassware for South Branch Tavern wedding reception
Guests seated at a dining table raising glasses in a toast at South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago
Groomsman gives speech at the South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago with seated guests watching and smiling
Black and white photo of man in a tuxedo giving speech at wedding reception at South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago
Candid photo of newlyweds laughing at head table during their South Branch Tavern and Grille wedding reception
Guests at a wedding reception raising their glasses in a toast, seated around a decorated table at the South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago
Dessert table at South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago, adorned with flower arrangements, featuring plates of assorted cookies
Four white rectangular plates filled with cookies, some with pink frosting, arranged on a table with a white tablecloth at South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago
A display of cookies with pink frosting and chocolate chip cookies on dessert table for wedding reception at South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago
Bride and groom dancing together at their South Branch Tavern wedding reception in downtown Chicago
Black and white photo of newlyweds dancing closely at their wedding reception at South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago
Creative photo of bride and groom on the dance floor at their South Branch Tavern and Grille wedding in Chicago
Guests dancing and having fun at a party at South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago; one man wears heart-shaped sunglasses
Black and white photo of bride, groom and guests dancing at South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago
Black and white photo of bride and guests dancing and celebrating at the South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago
Guests on the dancefloor at South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago
A young girl in a pink dress with a basket of petals smiles surrounded by laughing adults during South Branch Tavern wedding reception
Black and white photo of people dancing during wedding reception at South Branch Tavern downtown Chicago
Newlyweds and guests on the dance floor during wedding reception at the South Branch Tavern in downtown Chicago

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