Chicago hotel wedding Posts

Summer Wedding at Chicago Winery – Stacey & Alex

Another highlight from our summer is Alex and Stacey’s destination Chicago Winery wedding! These two are currently East Coasters, but first met at a Halloween party here in the Midwest while attending Northwestern University! After their spring Jersey City engagement session, I was so excited to see these two again back in Chicago.

The Gwen Chicago Wedding Photos

Alex and Stacey got ready separately that morning, before their private first look and vow exchange at The Gwen Chicago. Shortly after, the wedding party joined us for photos on the hotel terrace overlooking downtown! I loved that the bridesmaids’ dresses just happened to match the walls inside The Gwen – we had to take advantage! If you’re looking for a hotel in the River North area with indoor and outdoor photo locations, I’d highly recommend staying here.

Chicago Winery Wedding

Before long, it was time to head to Chicago Winery and get these two married. But first: tea! Stacey and Alex served hot tea to their loved ones before the ceremony space opened up to all guests. The wedding ceremony was filled with humor and personal anecdotes, and once the knot was tied these two were happy as ever! Seriously, I don’t think they stopped smiling the rest of the evening 🙂

Guests celebrated the newlyweds with delicious food, drinks, and (lots of) wine. We even got to witness Stacey’s famous cake-cutting skills! DJ Kate kept the dance floor was packed from beginning to end, and our photo booth was a hit, as usual (check out our new white rose flower wall backdrop!). I’m lucky the newlyweds agreed to step outside for a few night photos during the party!

Stacey and Alex: Thank you again for having us be part of your wedding day!! We had so much fun in August and wish you both a lifetime of happiness together.

Want to see more from Alex & Stacey’s wedding day? Check out their gorgeous Highlight Film by Amy Lynn!

Couple exchanges vows as their guests gather around to witness Chicago Winery wedding ceremony

Alex & John’s East-Coast Style Wedding at Renaissance Chicago Downtown

It’s holiday season, and I’m feeling nostalgic for all the wonderful couples I’ve had the opportunity to work with this year. Today I am beyond excited to share Alex and John’s memorable wedding day at Renaissance Chicago Downtown! These two traveled from Washington, D.C. to get married in our fine city, a destination wedding for the majority of guests as well. After their Wisconsin engagement session last fall, I knew it was going to be an awesome day.

The day began with the grooms getting ready separately at the hotel. One of my favorite details was their identical outfits – they even honored their pup Scout in the custom lining of their suits! After their emotional first look in the Explore Room, friends joined us for a grand reveal! Shortly after, we embraced the summer rain for some epic group photos in the city. This group was a blast to hang with, and such great sports about the weather! After all, rain on your wedding day IS good luck (and allows for some super romantic photos, just saying!).

Renaissance Chicago Downtown Wedding

That evening, John and Alex tied the knot in a moody, candlelit ceremony surrounded by family and friends. Once the glass was broken, guests were more than eager to celebrate these two! Delicious food and beverage flowed throughout the evening, from cocktail hour to dessert martinis. The Gold Coast All Stars filled the dance floor during the East-Coast style reception… which, if you didn’t know, includes multiple band sets between speeches and courses. Of course, the grooms looked dapper as ever in their white tuxedos! We’re lucky we got to steal them away for a few photos with those espresso martinis 🙂

Alex and John: Thank you again for having us capture your day!! We couldn’t be happier for you two and wish you a lifetime of love and joy!

Want to see more John and Alex? Check out their gorgeous Highlight Film by Amy Lynn!

Romantic photo of two grooms under umbrella on Chicago bridge before their summer Renaissance Chicago Downtown wedding ceremony

Lauren & Ryan’s Destination Wedding at Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown

In September, I finally got to meet Lauren and Ryan in person for their Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown wedding! They chose Chicago as their wedding destination because of its central location… but also our iconic skyline. I knew that with our mutual love for this city we were going to be a perfect fit!

Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown Wedding

Lauren and Ryan got ready separately at the Royal Sonesta before an emotional first look on the rooftop terrace. These two chose to exchange personal vows before their official ceremony… one of my favorite ways to personalize any wedding day! With their siblings as their wedding party, we walked to some favorite photo locations only steps from the hotel. Chicago weather was our friend, and I’m so happy we had a chance to capture these moments!

Finally, it was time to get these two married! Lauren and Ryan were married on the hotel’s rooftop terrace overlooking our city, surrounded by family and friends. Their mutual friend Jared officiated the event – who just so happens to be the reason Ryan and Lauren met in the first place! Once the knot was tied, it was time to celebrate!! I don’t think either of them stopped smiling the entire evening 🙂

Lauren and Ryan: Thank you again for having us last year! I’m so honored to have been a part of your wedding day, wishing you a happy and healthy marriage in the years to come.

Bride and groom laugh during Royal Sonesta Downtown Chicago wedding ceremony on rooftop terrace

Megan & Jack’s Destination Chicago Wedding at ROOF on theWit

This year I got to kick off Memorial Day weekend with Megan and Jack’s wedding at ROOF on theWit! These two were an absolute delight to spend the day with, and – in their words – so obviously “obsessed” with one another 🙂 They traveled from Wisconsin to tie the knot in the middle of downtown Chicago, and the day was just bursting with joy from beginning to end.

Megan and Jack got ready separately with their parties at theWit hotel. After their private first look on the hotel terrace, these two did not stop smiling! We had a blast walking around the Loop for photos with the wedding party, and even got to snag a few at ROOF before the ceremony. This was the first wedding I’ve captured in the space, which is gorgeous both in daytime and at night!

theWit Hotel Wedding

In true Megan and Jack fashion, their ceremony was complete with personal vows, happy tears, and lots of laughter. They even got to sample their custom margarita cocktail (freshly shaken by the bartender/officiant) before their guests! Once it was official, the party was ON. Guests enjoyed food, drinks, dancing, and live music during the cocktail-style reception… the Gold Coast All Stars kept the party going all night long!!

Megan and Jack: THANK YOU again for having us in May!! We had so much fun on your wedding day and wish you both nothing but the best!

Want to see more Megan & Jack? Check out their gorgeous Highlight Film by Amy Lynn!

Bride and groom smile outside of Chicago Theater at their downtown wedding at ROOF on theWit

Royal Sonesta River North Wedding – Brittany & Adrian

Brittany and Adrian’s September wedding at Royal Sonesta Chicago River North was much-anticipated, to say the least! Guests traveled to Chicago from near and far to celebrate with these two as they tied the knot in our dear city. You may recall from their fall engagement session that Adrian and Brittany met at a University of Illinois football game! I was not at all surprised at the frequent pops of orange and blue in their wedding details.

We arrived at the downtown hotel to capture Brittany and Adrian getting ready separately. These two were dressed to the nines, of course – and their wedding party was no exception! Their happy first look on the Chicago Riverwalk was one of my favorite moments from the entire day, and we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to stop at some other iconic locations nearby. After an emotional ceremony, these two were ready to PARTY! Our night concluded with popping champagne outside of Rock Bottom Brewery, another place they visited on the day they met 🙂

Highlights

Some highlights from the day include Brittany’s surprise choreographed dance with her dad, and honoring their mothers with a rose during the ceremony. They also had many unique DIY details, such as naming table numbers after places they’ve traveled together! Oh – and I will never forget their epic first dance to Robyn’s Show Me Love!!! This made my night… you’d better believe I was singing along to EVERY word.

Pro tip: Want to know what it felt like to be at this wedding? Play the song while scrolling through the images in this post!

Brittany and Adrian: Thank you again for having us in September! I will never forget your awesome wedding day… wishing you both the very best in Married Life!!!

Romantic wedding photo of bride and groom kissing on LaSalle Bridge before their downtown Royal Sonesta Chicago wedding

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