Leah + Will’s West Loop Wedding

November 8, 2019Leave a comment

Leah and Will’s beautiful wedding began at Assumption Catholic Church in Chicago on a delightful September morning. They explored Chicago’s beauty and continued the celebration of the newlyweds at Prairie Production with Bocce and arcade games. The happy couple concluded their eventful evening with dancing, donuts, and delicious late-night snacks!

Ceremony: Assumption Catholic Church

Band: Rod Tuffcurls & the Benchpress

Catering: Occasions Chicago

Reception: Prairie Production

Dessert: Doughnut Vault + Do-Rite

Food Truck: The Fat Shallot

Decor: Pollen

Hair + Makeup: Debra Pettrielli

Photographer: Sally O’Donnel Photography

Transportation: Premier Trolly and Limo + Chicago Trolly & Double Decker Company

Maggie + Derby: Catholic Wedding and The Westin Itasca

January 31, 2018Leave a comment

Simplicity and beauty were the inspiring words behind Maggie and Derby’s elegant summer ceremony. The fun-loving pair made sure to incorporate their love of football and fun into their big day!

Cake: Lovin Oven Cakery

Ceremony: Ascension Catholic Church

DJ: James Mastrino

Floral: Dagny and Lane Floral

Reception: The Westin Itasca

Photography: iluvphoto

After sealing their new love with a kiss, the happy couple met guests in their outdoor reception venue and enjoyed dancing, food, and wedding cake!

Maggie and Derby’s wedding was a beautiful celebration of a wonderful couple. I was so glad to be chosen to help make their dreams a reality.

Jessica + J.T.: The Reception at Galleria Marchetti

January 31, 2013Leave a comment

Yesterday, I posted the first part of Jessica and J.T.’s wedding. Today’s post is dedicated to their beautiful reception at Galleria Marchetti.

All photo by Redwall Photography.

Galleria Marchetti is a hidden gem in the city.

The room looked stunning with the dramatic centerpieces by Scarlet Petal.

The first centerpiece was a round and lush sphere of flowers that included hydrangea, roses, cushion poms, and hypericum berries held in a tall and slender hourglass vase with a few hanging crystals as accent.

The second centerpiece was a trio of mercury glass pedastals that displayed pillar candles encased in glass hurricanes. Surrounding the trio of candles was three mint julep cups containing more green hydrangeas, roses, and tulips.

The escort card table was simply beautiful. There was a series of five cylinder vessels in varying heights that displayed groupings of blush pink and celadon hydrangeas with the prettiest pink escort cards that I have ever see!

Can we take one more look at those escort cards? I love the POP of pink!

One very delicious cake by Amy Beck that included devil’s food chocolate and vanilla cake on alternating layers.

Scarlet Petal accented the cake with fresh flowers.

The ladies put their bouquets in vases on the head table.

Both Jessica and J.T. loved the Devil’s Food cake!

As the evening continued, there were a few toasts.

And then the dancing began courtesy of Dan Hayes Orchestra!

Congratulations to a very fun couple! I wish all of the best in your future together.

Abby + Scott: School of the Art Institute Reception

August 15, 2012Leave a comment

Yesterday, I blogged about Abby and Scott getting ready photos and their Catholic ceremony. Today’s post is going to feature their gorgeous reception.

All Photos By: Life on Prints

The gorgeous invitation suite by Courtney Callahan.

The ballroom is located right on Michigan Avenue. It’s a beautiful building!

The couple, who are fairly traditional, opted for tall red rose centerpieces with touches of greenery in mercury glass vessels.

The cake, designed by Amy Beck, created an amazing sphere cake with touches of red and black.

Abby DIYed the escort cards by heat embossing the stamp on the left.

Another view of the room with the black linens and chivari chairs.

The cake knife was used by two other couples – it has been passed down within the family. Isn’t that sweet?

Abby and Scott during the first dance.

I love the dance floor at the School of the Art Institute ballroom!

Mazel Tov! The bride, who is part Jewish, couldn’t imagine skipping Hava Nagila!

Thank you for having me apart of your wedding day!

Abby + Scott: The Morning and Ceremony at Assumption

August 14, 2012Leave a comment

Poor Scott. During the planning process, Abby and I were so often on the same page that I felt bad for the guy. Back to Abby. She loved red. And while there are people that like red, there are only a few people that LOVE red as much as me. And, she wasn’t afraid of more. In an age where the word “simple” is often over used, it was music to my ears to hear the word “more”. I had the absolute best time planning with this couple.

Band: Standing Room Only

Cake: Amy Beck

Caterer: Jewell

Church: Assumption

Decor: Revel

Hair: Livia

Makeup: Sonia Roselli

Reception: School of the Art Institute of Chicago

All Photos By: Life on Prints.

Abby gets the final touches on her make-up.

Abby reads a sweet note from Scott before their first look.

Abby gets her veil put into place by Livia.

I simply adored Abby’s gown by Lazaro.

Isn’t the detail on the belt exquisite?

The groom greets one of the flower girls.

Right before the bride walks down the aisle. There’s no bridal suite at Assumption so the bride walks in from her vehicle.

The bride with her lovely parents. Her Dad was so nice the entire time, she is a lucky girl!

Red shoes for the bridesmaids. I swear, I love everything about Abby’s style.

Assumption is just one of many gorgeous churches in Chicago!

Courtney Callahan designed the gorgeous programs

Tomorrow, I’ll post photos of the bridal party photos and the gorgeous reception!

Jaisa + Charlie: The Morning and Ceremony

August 6, 2012Leave a comment

Cafe Brauer has been a long time favorite venue of Chicagans. After seeing these gorgeous photos, it is very apparent why brides swoon as soon as they walk up the stairs to the main room. Jaisa and Charlie hired Shelly almost immediately after booking the venue. We really enjoyed working with this delightful couple.

DJ: Toast & Jam

Florist: Kloeckner Preferred Flowers

Hair: Dave Fonseca Stylist

Make-up: Laura Black

Ceremony: Saint Michael’s Church

Cake: Take The Cake

Photographer: Jeremy Lawson Photography

Reception: Café Brauer

Transportation: Windy City Limo

Caterer/Linens: Blue Plate

The gorgeous dress hanging up in the hotel suite.

Jaisa’s lovely bouquet. I love the texture given by all of the different flowers.

St. Michael’s is such a beautiful church!

Shelly carries that gorgeous train!

I love that Jaisa carried her bouquet to the side so that you can get a full view of her stunning dress.

Gorgeous picture of the couple at their church.
Jaisa’s cathedral length veil drapes the floor.

I love how the guys not in perfect order. Don’t they all look so happy (and handsome)?

City photos!

The bridal party! Do you prefer photos will the bridal party is staggered?

Or, do you prefer the symmetry of guys and girls?

Jaisa takes a lovely bridal portrait.

Jeremy is always great at taking shots of the tiny details, like cuff links.

I love Jaisa’s necklace. Diamonds are very traditional but the key is unique.

I will be posting more photos of this lovely wedding tomorrow!

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!

Elizabeth + Jim: The Reception

January 25, 2012Leave a comment

The first post was about Elizabeth’s and Jim’s morning and ceremony. Now it’s time for the party!

All photos by ZR photography.

I loved how well the bridesmaids dresses and shoes went together. They were such a fun option!

After the church, the group went to Olive Park for great skyline shots.

While everyone was beginning to enjoy the cocktail hour, E+J took a moment to get great shots on La Salle Street Bridge.

During the cocktail hour, nearly all of the guests enjoyed the outdoor cocktail hour with great drinks, food and weather!

During the cocktail hour, guests signed the photo book which included photos from their engagement.

Before entering the reception, all the guests were able to talk with E+J in a receiving line. I don’t see these very often, but it’s a great opportunity for the bride and groom to visit with every guest.

I love baby’s breath!

Elizabeth’s centerpieces went perfectly with the decor at Fulton’s. There was a mix of tall and short arrangements.

The cake decorated with purple flowers.

Finally, it is time to eat and party!

Following the first course, the bride and groom danced their first dance.

Then it was time for everyone to join in the fun. I have never seen such a packed dance floor all night! High Society Orchestra were amazing!

Elizabeth and Jim stayed until the party stopped! The band had everyone surround them to dance the last song of the night.

I am so glad to have worked with these two and wish them all the best!

Elizabeth + Jim: Getting Ready and the Ceremony

January 24, 2012Leave a comment

After my first meeting with Elizabeth and Jim, I left thrilled to work as their Day of Coordinator. I was immediately drawn to their calm yet enthusiastic personalities. They wanted to throw a great party and I am happy to be apart of it! There wedding was featured in Style Me Pretty.

Ceremony: Assumption Church

Reception: Fulton’s on the River

Florist: Stemline Creative

Band: High Society Orchestra

Hair: George the Salon

Make-Up: M for Makeup

Videographer: Lexoria Wedding Films

Transportation: Emperor Limousine

All photos taken by ZR Weddings.

Elizabeth shoes were beautiful and perfectly complimented her dress!

Stemline Creative’s flowers were gorgeous with the bold colors.

Elizabeth checks her hair one more time before putting on her dress.

Elizabeth’s bridesmaids help with the final buttons.

And, of course, the bride has to get a quick look for herself.

After everyone was ready, there were a few minutes for photos around the hotel of just the girls.

Then it was off to Assumption Church to get married!

Elizabeth had a friend design her monogrammed programs.

Elizabeth and Jim opted to not have a first look. These photos show the emotional moments before Elizabeth walked down the aisle. Here is Jim waiting at the alter….

…and Elizabeth seeing the groom for the first time all day!

This is a great shot from the balcony at Assumption of the entire bridal party.

Right after the ceremony as husband and wife!

After the ceremony E+J took formals with the family. They wanted a quick moment together before the pictures so they snuck up on the balcony to take it all in.

This is a great shot of the back of Elizabeth’s dress.
After the ceremony, the bridal party went around the city for pictures.

Tomorrow, I will blog about the reception!

Kristen + Scott: The Details

March 10, 2011Leave a comment

As mentioned earlier this week, Kristen and Scott were recently featured in Brides Magazine. My first post highlighted Kristen and Scott’s ceremony. My last post showed their reception photos.

All photos by Olivia Leigh.

The flowers in Kristen’s jewelry were complemented by her beautiful Oscar de la Renta shoes.

I love all things paper, and I definitely appreciate a cohesive stationery suite. Here are their programs.