Joe and Lena have a bite of wedding cake with the fantasic Chicago skyline behind them during their wedding at the Adler Planetarium. Click here to see more pictures from their lovely wedding day.
Chicago Wedding Photography
Perks of a Winter Chicago Wedding
Inspiration, Wedding Pictures, Wedding PlanningYes, many people dread the Polar Vortex monster that sweeps through northern and Midwest states during winter, but if you are planning a December, January, or February wedding, there are some perks to embrace as well.
© Wedding Creativo Photography
Seven Chicago Winter Wedding Perks:
1. Early sunset and twilight between 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. means you can get beautiful twilight portraits, like the one shown above, well before your cocktail hour typically starts at 5:00 or 6:00 p.m.
2. Fancy coats, furs, shawls and other warming accessories can be warn during winter for not only practical reasons, but to also add variety to your winter wedding look.
3. Seasonal reduced rates are sometimes available at some venues and with some vendors and services that are not offered during warmer months.
4. Venues and vendors often have more available dates or have last-minute availability during this time of year compared to higher demand warmer months.
5. Cranberries, pinecones, poinsettia, holly, hot toddy, mulled wine, and other winter seasonal favorites make special appearances this time of year.
6. If you like snowy landscapes, there is plenty of it for your winter wedding portraits.
7. Close snuggles with your sweetheart to keep warm.
Small Winter Wedding at Creativo Loft
Wedding Pictures, WeddingsBrooke and Craig traveled from Michigan to celebrate their December wedding in Chicago. Their morning brunch wedding at Creativo Loft was the kick-off for their New Year's Eve wedding day. Bride Brooke chose blush, silver and gold tones for their powder-snow winter day. The groom's family lives in Scotland, so a small gathering of the bride's side welcomed him to his new family in America.
Despite the chilly temperatures, Wedding Creativo photographer Giorgio and the couple went around to a few downtown Chicago landmarks for some beautifully snowy wedding portraits. We coordinated an all-inclusive brunch wedding for the intimate group at our studio's own venue, Creativo Loft, including a delicious red velvet cake from Tipsycakes and adorable floral work from Steve's Flower Market. Congratulations to the happy newlyweds!
© Wedding Creativo Photography
October Wedding at Metropolis Ballroom
Wedding Pictures, WeddingsDeep orange and purple colors, vintage style, and candle-lit mason jars created a lovely setting at the Metropolis Ballroom in Arlington Heights, Illinois for Bailey and Dan's October wedding. The couple were inspired by autumn farmers markets for the overall feel for their wedding.
There were several unique and personal touches by the bride and groom, as well as their family members, for their Jewish wedding details. Some highlights included adorable personalized seed packets that doubled as escort cards and guest favors, which were strung up with mini clothespins. The laundry line theme was also carried over in the cocktail room were a wall was strung with their childhood photos. Lots of mason jars that the couple collected were used as candle holders for the ceremony aisle and reception tables. The beautiful ceremony chuppah was constructed by the groom's father, and draped with the bride's family heirloom embroidered top. Small pumpkins and fall foliage were also nice touches used throughout the reception decor.
The bride's spectacular vintage style dress and veil were custom creations by local designer Dame Couture. She also wore lovely accessories including a hairpin was from Blue Bow Millinery, great-grandmother's earrings, maternal grandmother's accent ring, and Mariana shoes by GOLC. The groom wore a gray Kenneth Cole suit, and bridesmaids dresses were majestic purple Alfred Sung gowns from Dessy Group. For their wedding rings Bailey and Dan chose conflict free diamonds and recycled platinum from Brilliant Earth. The bride's handkerchief and groom's fedora hat were also fantastic accents to express their style.
Event professionals: Rabbi Max Weiss, Beauty on Call, Sprout florist
Magic Wedding Moment : Nervous Ring Bearer
Inspiration, Wedding Details, Wedding Ideas, Wedding Pictures, Wedding PlanningThe little ones that carry rings and flower baskets at weddings are usually pretty aware big importance of the wedding day, and kids always create spontaneous and unique magic moments. To help them feel more comfortable and confident, it is nice to have a parent come a little early with them to the ceremony so they can "practice" their job before walking down the aisle in front of all those people! Sometimes this does not work at all when kids are extremely terrified, but frequently kids fare better with just getting an opportunity to feel more familiar in uncharted territory. Even a brief run up and down the aisle can be a big help to settle their nervousness. This little guy took his job as ring bearer pretty seriously and is shown here eagerly awaiting his cue to present the all important wedding rings. So adorable!
Creative Wedding Portrait : Wedding Party Jump
Inspiration, Wedding Details, Wedding Fashion, Wedding Ideas, Wedding PicturesThe wedding party "jump" is a classic fun portrait to do, especially with a larger wedding party lined up and jumping in perfect timing. We worked with the monochromatic details to give this portrait a bit more creative flair for this wedding party jump portrait. It worked out nicely with the orange barn, golden sunest sky, and burnt orange bridesmaid dresses at Jenny and Patrick's wedding in Glen Ellyn over the weekend.
September Wedding at University Club of Chicago
WeddingsMary and Matt were married on a September afternoon at Assumption Catholic Church, with reception at The University Club of Chicago. Giorgio and I enjoyed celebrating with this fun couple and their friendly families. They all have a wonderful sense of humor and love to sing and dance. Mary and Matt really threw a great party at their wedding!
The peachy colors with red accents were a nice color pallet for an early September wedding transitioning from summer to autumn. The bride's Vera Wang gown and Stewart Weitzman shoes gave the wedding style a classic foundation. However, some modern-vintage pieces added personal touches, especially the heirloom veil, which had been worn for three generations in the bride's family. Contemporary understated styles from Anthropologie and J.Crew adorned the bridesmaids and groomsmen.
A fantastic team of professionals helped this couple create a warmly welcoming and fun-loving wedding day: ceremony officiant Msgr. Jerry Ward, Windy City Trolley, Simply Flowers, Publicide invitations, Little King wedding rings, and reception catering and cake by the University Club of Chicago.
Photography © Wedding Creativo Photography
Creative Wedding Portrait : Chasing up a Tree
Wedding PicturesJessica and Daniel had a fun and spontaneous idea for this portrait. This couple met while the bride was living and working in Italy for several years, and she "chased" him to join her back in her hometown Chicago. They arrived in America only one week before tying the knot! Bravissimo!
Creative Wedding Details: Fall Candy Apples
Wedding Ideas, Wedding Pictures, Wedding PlanningTegan and Var had these fabulous fall candy apples set on the tables for their guest favors. What a fun treat and nice addition to golden toned autumn weddings.
Chicago Wedding at Gibsons Steakhouse
Wedding Pictures, WeddingsAlicia and Nate had a beautiful day for their September wedding at St. James Chapel and Gibsons Steakhouse in downtown Chicago. We started with preparations and the couple's "first look" at Sofitel, followed by portraits along Lake Michigan before heading to their intimate ceremony and reception. We loved her pastel pink sash and flowing satin gown, and exquisitely delicate bridal bouquet by Zuzu's Petals.
Creative Wedding Portrait : Summer Splendor
Wedding PicturesAlicia and Nate share a very laid back moment, splendor in the grass, on their summer wedding day in Chicago.
Ari and Simon Wedding Highlights at Union League Club
Wedding Pictures, WeddingsCongratulations to Ari and Simon! The newlyweds tied the knot over the weekend at St. James and Union League Club. They traveled all the way from Australia (along with over 40 of the groom's family and friends) to have the wedding near the bride's family in Chicago. We'll feature more of this wedding in the future, but for now here are some highlights.
Jewish Wedding at University Club of Chicago
Wedding Pictures, WeddingsNatalie and Paul celebrated an intimate Jewish wedding at the University Club of Chicago. Her high-fashion corset dress was stunning, and we enjoyed strolling Michigan Ave. with this lovely couple taking in the sights of the tango dancers and chess players. Their private elegant ceremony and reception was accented with gold and champagne hues, with floral accents in fuchsia and pinks, and unique silver bowl style centerpieces.
Chicago Wedding Photographer : Chicago Skyline Portraits
Inspiration, Wedding Ideas, Wedding Pictures, Wedding Planning, WeddingsChicago wedding photographers Wedding Creativo Photography is located downtown, so of course many of our couples love to go to sites with skyline views for their portraits. Here are some of our recent favorite wedding pictures with beautiful Chicago skyline views.
Dave and Kim Wedding Highlights
WeddingsCongratulations to Dave and Kim who celebrated their wedding in Geneva last weekend, and we are excited to share some highlights from their special day. Stay tuned for a full feature of this wedding in the future.
© Wedding Creativo Photography
Small Breakfast Wedding at Creativo Loft
Weddings© Wedding Creativo Photography
Ukrainian Wedding at Public Chicago
Wedding Pictures, WeddingsOlena and Andrew celebrated their marriage with a Ukrainian ceremony at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, followed by a modern-vintage style reception at Public Chicago hotel. The bride's own father celebrated the traditional marriage mass at this spectacular and historic church located in the Ukrainian Village neighborhood in Chicago.
Olena was radiant in her lace detailed Watters gown, long lace trimmed Vera Wang veil, and sparkly Enzo Angiolini heels. Andrew wore a sleek Hugo Boss suit.
The bride and her family handmade several sentimental details. Her sister made the blue floral dressing robe, grandparents made the Ukrainian wedding bread, which symbolizes blessings and good fortune, and her mother made the ceremonial myrtle crowns. The bride sewed the pillows that incorporated lace from the groom’s mother & grandmother’s wedding gown. The hand-binding fabric was embroidered by a local Ukrainian artisan with Olena’s design.
The bride made all of the paper goods, and styled her reception dinner with her own collection of silver embossed chargers, vases and candles. The couple gifted guests with Kona coffee, vanilla infused cane sugar from Maui, and chocolate covered macadamia nuts from their home in Hawaii.
© Wedding Creativo Photography
Event professionals: Public Chicago/Pump Room catering, Weddings by Karolina day-of coordinator, TipsyCake pumpkin spice cake, Asrai Garden flowers, La Tavola linens, Tablescapes rentals, Nika Vaughan makeup, Sarah Jean Stevens hair styling, & Wedding Creativo Photography.
Classic Chicago Wedding at Union League Club
Wedding Pictures, WeddingsEmily and Brent celebrated their wedding at Holy Family Church and Union League Club with classic style and elegance. The bride wore a beautiful gown by designer Enzoani, with bridal shoes by Chicago designer James Ciccotti. The bridesmaids' sophisticated floor-length black dresses and groomsmens' black tie tuxedos set the tone for a fabulously formal Chicago wedding celebration.
© Wedding Creativo Photography
Event professionals: Wedding Creativo Photography, LK Events, Dilly Lily floral, ULC catering and pastry chef Jessica Weiss, Gold Coast Allstars band, Midwest Transit limos, Salon Buzz, Dimitra's Bridal Couture.
Naperville Illinois Wedding at Meson Sabika
Wedding Pictures, WeddingsLike many couples who "leave the nest" to start their careers in other cities, Kallie and John had a "homecoming" wedding in the bride's hometown of Naperville, Illinois. Since the couple lives in New York, they had a lot of help from family and friends to plan and organize the wedding, which took place at Naper Settlement and Meson Sabika.
During the morning, the bride had help getting ready at home with her mother and bridesmaids, a.k.a. "team bride." Her lovely Sassi Holford gown was accented with two different sashes, one white for daytime and one black for evening. Her black studded Giuseppe Zanotti heels also added a kick of personal style. The bridesmaids wore long black dresses, with bouquets of autumnal reds and peach-orange hues.
The Century Memorial Chapel at Naper Settlement was built in 1864 with a Gothic Revival style of architecture. The couple was married by the same minister who presided over the bride's parents wedding years ago.
M&M Special Events decorated the reception with warm champaign, cream and soft golden tones, along with Philip's Flowers arrangements, which were primarily ivory roses for the centerpieces, along accent arrangements and cake topper flowers in vibrant deep red and peachy-orange roses.
The groom's brother was his best man, and he had kept the first "contract" the two made as young boys. It was an agreement to "not hit each other during the hours of 4:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.," which was a lovely sentimental gesture that had everyone laughing and crying at the same time.
During the course of the evening Kallie also had a special moment for her sister Breanne, presenting her with a parade of birthday cakes! We are also honored to be joining this family again later this year when they will be celebrating Breanne's wedding in June.
Wedding Creativo featured in CSW
Creativo News, Wedding PlanningFor the recently engaged, or if you know someone who is planning a wedding in Chicago, we recommend picking up a copy of Chicago Style Weddings magazine. The magazine is desinged to follow a typical flow for wedding planning, and especially helpful is the month-by-month chart to keep on track with planning tasks. Wedding Creativo is also honored to be featured in a couple of articles about photography trends and tips. January/February 2013 issue is hot off the presses, so check a magazine rack at a store near you to pick up a copy. Happy planning!