Tag: Food For Thought

Stephanie + Cameron – The Reception

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Yesterday’s post featured Stephanie and Cameron’s ceremony. Today, we’ll look at their reception.

All photos by Jeremy Lawson Photography.

They took some fun shots around the city, starting with an L platform…

and ending with a dip in front of the Board of Trade!

Cafe Brauer is a popular reception site in Chicago. We were lucky to have a beautiful night.

Making their entrance into dinner. I love the detail on the back of Stephanie’s dress.

Cutting into their cake. Some of their guests own a bakery in Ohio and delivered both the cake and cupcakes for the reception.

They shared their first dance to “Better Together” by Jack Johnson.


Stephanie and Cameron were paired up for a project in a college class. They invited several of their old professors and personally thanked them for the successful, if unintentional, matchmaking.

The dance floor was packed throughout the evening.


Check back for the last post featuring some of the great details from their event.

Stephanie + Cameron – The Ceremony

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I actually stepped in to help with Stephanie and Cameron’s wedding fairly late in the process, and we didn’t even meet until the week of the wedding! However, she was not only organized, but super sweet so it was very easy. Her parents were also very involved – it’s so nice to see a family who’s genuinely excited about the wedding.

Cake and Cupcakes Bakery Gingham in Columbus, Ohio
Caterer Food For Thought
Ceremony St. Vincent DePaul
DJ Toast and Jam
Florist Scarlet Petal
Hair and Makeup Bridal Beauty Chicago
Photo Booth 312 Photo Booth
Photographer Jeremy Lawson
Reception Cafe Brauer

All photos by Jeremy Lawson Photography.

Getting ready at the Belden Stratford Hotel. My favorite thing is when a bride is not stressed but having a glass of champagne with her girls!


Stephanie’s gift to her mother. I think it’s a lovely keepsake.

In the assembly line of pinning the groomsmen’s boutonnieres, Jeremy took this shot. Do you see my detailed timeline in the background?

The ring bearers passing some time before the ceremony began.

Both Stephanie and Cameron are DePaul alumni, so this church had special meaning for them.

Officially husband and wife!

The bride and groom took a celebratory twirl in the back of the church.


In the next post, we’ll take a peek at their reception at a popular site, Cafe Brauer, in Chicago.

Meredith + Jeremy: The Details

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My previous posts featured Meredith and Jeremy’s ceremony and reception. Today, some of the special details.


All photos by Joy Marie Photography.



I love the buckle on Meredith’s heels.


Here’s a close up of the bride’s beautiful, vintage lace veil.


Meredith pinned a photo of her grandmother to her bouquet.


You normally don’t see shots of the groom’s shoes, but I think this photo is so cool. The carpet is in the couple’s home, which is also pretty cool!


Meredith collected colorful handkerchiefs for the ceremony. She used the A-Z motif as a play off of their respective last names.


Meredith made the escort cards using a variety of patterned papers. I like how nothing about this wedding was too matchy, yet all looked great together.


This may be my favorite guest book yet. Guests signed pages of this Snow and Graham calendar. I would have definitely signed my birthday month, August!


Mason jar vases were scattered throughout the cocktail hour. The labels showcased different quotes and lines of poetry.


Meredith and Jeremy opted for a classic cake with a vintage topper.


Centerpieces included low clusters of different flowers. Meredith and her bridesmaids hand painted these canvases for the tables.


The steps were lined with these glowing lanterns.

Congratulations, Meredith and Jeremy!

Meredith + Jeremy: Part Two

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Yesterday I posted about Meredith and Jeremy’s wedding ceremony. Here are some more great photos from their celebration.


All photos by Joy Marie Photography.



The best way to keep the rain away? Buy a big umbrella!
We watched the skies closely and were lucky enough to have a dry day.


Meredith and Jeremy took some photos at the lakefront and around Lincoln Park. Here are a few of my favorites.


The girls carried pale bouquets. I like the contrast against the bold color of the dresses.


The cocktail hour was held outside on the patio at the Chicago History Museum.


Meredith and Jeremy made their grand entrance down the museum steps and had their first dance outside.

Meredith’s sister and maid of honor, Cara, was so sweet. Here she is toasting the bride and groom.

This picture is so fun and colorful. Doesn’t this look like a great party?

The party is a huge success when the bride and her mother lead the conga line!

Tomorrow, I’ll showcase some of the details from this wedding.

Meredith + Jeremy: Part One

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Meredith and I met over coffee and chatted about all things bridal. She asked if she could speak to some of my previous brides, and I referred her to Megan, whose wedding I coordinated at Holy Name Cathedral and the Murphy Auditorium. Turns out they were friends from the same gym! Thankfully, Megan must have had some nice things to say because Meredith booked soon after.

Meredith really pulled together some chic and unexpected items for her wedding. I loved how nothing was perfectly matched yet it all looked cohesive. Mason jars full of flowers on the cocktails tables, a basket of vintage handkerchiefs at church, votives wrapped in colorful paper – everything had a casual elegance.

Band: Standing Room Only
Cake: Tipsy Cake
Caterer: Food for Thought
Ceremony: Saint Michael’s in Old Town
Cocktail Music: Jackson Rohm
Florist: Flora
Hair and Makeup: Rachel Reiman
Photographer: Joy Marie Photography
Reception: Chicago History Museum
Videographer: Well Spun Wedding Films

All photos by Joy Marie Photography.

Meredith’s mom brought her dog help celebrate. She even wore a special bow for the occasion. She seems to approve of the bride’s bouquet!

Putting the finishing touches on her look.


Meredith seeing her dad for the first time. She wore a dramatic, unique gown by Angel Sanchez.


The girls got ready at the Ambassador East hotel.


I think this is a gorgeous photo. I loved Meredith’s veil.


The ladies stopped in the historic Pump Room before heading to Church.
Frank Sinatra’s booth is just around the corner!


A shot of the beautiful church.


The inside of the church is also quite elaborate.


Meredith is all smiles. I am happy when my bride is happy!


Walking down the aisle as husband and wife.


Such a great photo! (You can see the detail on the back of Meredith’s dress here.)

Tomorrow: city photos and the reception!

Event Review: Bride’s Night

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An event design company that I might use, Event Creative, sent me an invitation to a wedding event, Bride’s Night, that they were co-hosting with Food For Thought. Held at 401 N. Michigan Ave., I left work a bit early so that I could get downtown in time. One of my bridesmaids, Shena, attended the event with me. We had a fantasic time. Endo-Exo was on hand to give us fake eyelashes. It was super fun!

Lucky for us, Food For Thought was lavish in their food presentation. They had a mini-banana split station, an after-party snack station, a cheese station, as well as some many passed hors d’oeuvres.

There was a really awesome raffle at the end of the evening. Some of the prizes included: a dinner party for ten in your home, wine package at your reception, and a beauty bonaza package. My bridemaid won the beauty package!! No one deserves it more than a woman that is seven months pregnant!

Here’s a review of the vendors on hand:

  • Event Creative– I love this event design company!! They are one of my top picks for a florist.
  • Food For Thought– I love Food For Thought. They are one of the premiere caterers in Chicago. Lucky for me, they have a cafe in my office building! I’ve heard from my co-workers that the food isn’t neccesarily as good though.
  • Halls Rental Service– If only I could afford rental items! I would love to rent special crystal for my tables.
  • BBJ Linens– BBJ has lovely linens. They can really put a table together! They are not the cheapest though.
  • Rick Aguilar Studios– I haven’t had a chance to see his work until I checked out the event photos. They are pretty good but not my favorite. I prefer a more photojournalistic style.