Nerissa + Joe’s Old St. Pat’s and Knickerbocker Wedding

January 25, 2018Leave a comment

Nerissa and Joe had a stunning fall wedding that incorporated many of the best parts of the city. From their gorgeous ceremony to the lively reception at the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel, every part of the day showcased their fun personalities and love for each other. Their elegant celebration was full of fun and personal touches, all captured beautifully by Geber + Scarpelli photography.

Ceremony: Old St. Patrick’s Church

Hair: Nika Vaughn Bridal Artists

Cake: Alliance Bakery

Cotton Candy Machine: Spin Spun

DJ: Toast & Jam

Floral: Bonnie Flowers

Photo Booth: Fotio

Hotel: Millenium Knickerbocker Hotel

Makeup: Andie Cumber

Photography: Gerber + Scarpelli

Videography: LEAP Weddings

After a beautiful ceremony the bridal party gathered for photos in many of Chicago’s most scenic spots, including Lasalle Street, the Kinzie Street Bridge, and Olive Park. After taking pictures, it was time to dance the night away!

I had such a wonderful time working with this vivacious couple and am so happy that I was able to be a part of planning their special day.

Christine and Marc Part II: Ceremony and Reception

April 12, 2012Leave a comment

Yesterday, I blogged about Christine and Marc getting ready. Today’s post focused on the ceremony and reception. If you haven’t been to the W City Center, the W is very unique compared to other hotel ballrooms. There is a smaller ballroom for the ceremony and a large ballroom for the reception. Both ballrooms are on the same floor on the mezzanine level, overlooking the gorgeous lobby. It was a perfect fit for Christine and Marc!

All Photos by Dennis Lee Photography.

The aisle had bright flowers, which was exactly what the bubbly Bride wanted.

The aisle was lined with tall arrangements

Christine had a custom unity candle made for their ceremony.

The monogram on the programs was designed by Christine’s Mother.

Marc walking up the aisle with his parents. Both families were involved in the family. It is so wonderful when everyone participates in the planning.

Marc waiting for Christine.

Christine walking down the aisle with both of her parents.

The very chic bridesmaids all lined up.

I love a photo that catches a moment like this, during the ceremony.

Mazel tov!

The escort cards were also the favors!

A little special something for one of the guests?

Is this not the most amazing cake? Yes, it is a cake. Christine really wanted their dog to be apart of the wedding day but realized that it wouldn’t work out. So, to surprise Marc, she had TipsyCake make a cake to look just like him!

The room set-up for the reception.

The room was decorated with two different centerpieces.

Christine wanted pops of color with black and white. The colorful centerpieces were so vibrant in the grand ballroom.

The cake was decorated with skylines of Chicago and Cleveland as well as swirls. Christine came up with the clever design herself!

The hora is always my favorite part of the evening.

Congratulations Christine and Marc! I had such a wonderful time being apart of your wedding day.

Christine and Marc: Getting Ready

April 11, 20121 Comment

It didn’t take long after meeting Christine and Marc to figure out that they are a fun couple. In fact, their social life was probably the only “problem” during their wedding planning: they were always busy!

All joking aside, we had so much fun planning this wedding. Christine and Marc really put a lot of thought into their wedding. They combined many traditions (Christine is Catholic and Marc is Jewish) to create a distinctive wedding.

Band: Chicago Groove Collective

Cake: Alliance Bakery

Grooms Cake: TipsyCake

Florist: Tina and Dollie

Reception: W Hotel

Make-Up Artist: Andie Cumber

Hair Stylist: Livia Caporale

All Photos by Dennis Lee Photography

Christine’s gorgeous ring!

Marc puts on his custom tie.

Can I tell you how much I adore this gown?

It’s the fun details that make the day. Christine in her Bride robe.

Can we say gorgeous? I love the lushness of these flowers!

The finishing touches before the first look!

Having someone else put on your shoes always causes a few laughs!

The gents.

Christine heading out to the First Look. (And, can I tell you that Christine looks like this almost every time I see her? Christine is truly radiant!) PS. Do you see the flash of color on her fabulous shoes?

All tulle and silk.

I think everyone should do a First Look. Seriously, take a look at these photos.

It’s so nice to have a few minutes alone in the middle of such a meaningful day.

…but it doesn’t last long!

After the first look, the bridal party went out to take photos around the city.

There will be a second post tomorrow of Christine and Marc’s ceremony and reception.

Emily + Jason, Part 2

February 14, 2012Leave a comment

Yesterday, I posted about Emily and Jason’s morning and ceremony. Now, it’s time to take a peak at their wedding reception!

A kiss on the staircase before the cocktail hour.

DIY deliciousness. The adorable escort cards made by the Bride.

The escort cards all lined up at the cocktail hour.

I love that the bride had a flower at each place setting.

The modern cake, inspired by an image that Emily found online while planning.

Did someone say cookies? The bride made cookies for guests to take home.

I love this photo because it shows what happens to any candy buffet. Demolished!

The cute favor boxes that the bride DIYed.

Emily and Jason, thank you so much for having me be apart of your wedding day!

Emily + Jason, Part 1

February 13, 2012Leave a comment

Emily and Jason had this fabulous preppy chic with a dash of whimsical aesthetic that translated into a relaxed affair. When we met for our initial consultation, Emily discusses her plans that included many DIY projects, balloons, and her desire not to worry. Well, the day went off without a hitch.

Cake: Oak Mill Bakery
Ceremony: Assumption Catholic Church

DJ: Toast & Jam
Florist: Family
Hotel: Wyndham
Make-up: Andie Cumber

All photos by Orris Photography.

Emily’s gown before getting dressed.

Emily wanted a fun shoe… I love the color!

My favorite part of Emily’s look was the look of her chic headband and the ties dangling in the back.

One very lovely bridal bouquet.

I love how bridal gowns take up the entire backseat.

Holding hands with her Dad, before she is about to walk down the aisle.

Emily and Jason took photos around town after their Catholic ceremony.

I love a long veil, well in Chicago. The wind always gives the veil a life of its own!

Did someone say balloons?

There will be more photos tomorrow of Emily and Jason’s reception!

Kristi + David, the reception

April 7, 20101 Comment

Yesterday, I posted about Kristi and David’s ceremony. It was a relatively calm day… until the reception. Held at the gorgeous Cultural Center, the reception turned into quite the party. The couple were so perfectly relaxed and happy. It was a wonderful day and I was so happy that I was able to spend their day with them.

All photos by Paul Huynh.

The room, as always, looked absolutely stunning.
The couple brought in gorgeous wooden chivari chairs and green linens that made the room look even more beautiful!

The couple chose Chicago landmarks for their table numbers. The centerpieces included an array of flowers that were very colorful. I’m glad that Kristi didn’t keep with the “typical” neutral October palette!

The couple hired us to bring in a gobo with their monogram, that included highlighting their city, Chicago!
The monogram was discretly positioned throughout the room.

Another view of the table top.
The place cards, table number and menu all had the deep chocolate brown border, creating a cohesive look.

A view of the room during the dinner. I chose the picture because the detail on the walls is esquisite.
If I was to have a 200 person wedding in Chicago, I would have picked the Cultural Center.

What says Chicago more than a popcorn buffet?
The couple offered an array of flavors and cute little take home containers for the guests that opted not to indulge during the reception!

Nothing gets a party going like a band! David Rothstein packed the dance floor.

What else gets your guests out on the dance floor? A bride and groom that are dancing!

The couple says thank you with DIY custom water bottles.

Yum! As you can tell, the night was quite the party. Guests always love a snack right before the end of the night. Keeping with the other Chicago touches, Berghoff Catering brought on mini hot dogs the last hour of the reception.

Kristi and David, Congratulations! I hope that you are enjoying this first year of marriage!

Stephanie + Andy

February 18, 2010Leave a comment

Stephanie was an organized bride. It’s such a relief when you have a bride that fills out your spreadsheets and sends you lists of things to be done. As her Day of Coordinator, I appreciated it immensely. And she was very lucky, she had a perfect wedding day. It helped that all of her vendors were top notch.

Cake: Cake Girls
Caterer: Jewell Catering
Ceremony: Forth Presbyterian
DJ: Toast and Jam
Florist: Flowers with Feeling
Hair: Sharon Daniel Salon
Hotel: Westin Michigan Avenue
Make-up: Andie Cumber
Photographer: Paul Yamashiro
Reception: School of the Art Institute Ballroom
Videographer: Andrew Gill

All photos by Paul Yamashiro.

Isn’t she adorable? I kept wanting to pick her and her little brother up the entire day. I love babies.

The gentleman walked over from the Westin to the church.

The bride and her maids followed once the groom was out of sight.
The girls, of course, got a lot more attention than the guys!

Stephanie made the best looking DIY programs to date.
She found this gorgeous thick paper as the cover and then used ribbons to tie them together.

The bride walks with her father to the church.

The church is gorgeous.

The bride had a cord and veil ceremony to celebrate her Filipino heritage.

After the ceremony, the girls stood by while the bride and groom took photos.

Forth Presbyterian allows for some gorgeous photos.

The couple took some lovely photos together.

This one is my favorite!

The newlyweds radiate happiness.

I’ll be back tomorrow to post photos of their reception.

Soniya + Erick, Part 1

November 25, 20091 Comment

I met Soniya and Erick about 7 months before their wedding. They were planning a traditional Indian wedding here in Chicago and another wedding in Madison, Wisconsin. Planning two weddings is a fairly bold endeavor, coming from a wedding planner!

Their Chicago wedding took place at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile, where I had my own reception two years earlier. The hotel has done some major redecorating since then but despite looking different, it was really cool to be back in the same space.

This was my first Indian wedding and I was fascinated with so many of the elements, especially all the bold colors. So this is going to be an unusually long series of posts – I hope you enjoy it!

Venue: Chicago Marriott Downtown on the Magnificent Mile – Kristina Capozzoli
Hair: Perfect Hair Anywhere – Jillian Strong
Makeup: Andie Cumber
Floral and Event Design: Botanicals
Linens: BBJ Linens
Ceremony Musicians: Malhar Orchestra
DJ and Dhol Player: DJ Raja
Photographer: Angela Swan
Videographer: Rusty Dog Films
Bharat Horse: A Zoo to You

All photos by Angela Swan.