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chicago blackstone wedding the barbershop meeting room

I’ve got one word for you. FIERCE. GQ. Okay, so that’s two words. They both sum up Lyndsay and Reid perfectly in a nutshell!

These two gorgeous people happened to find each other across the distant reaches of the internetz – on Match.com. Dashing Reid bears a President Fitz resemblance, and Lyndsay, a feisty fashion-plate who can totally work those Vogue-errific model poses, are one of the coolest couples I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. Despite their wild love story and strikingly good looks, this couple is amazingly down-to-earth, living in the Chicago ‘burbs and working side-by-side at a family business.

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Before the ceremony, the couple romped around the legendary Blackstone Chicago hotel for portraits, including at the nearby Tiffany & Co. Celebration Garden for their first look. History buffs know this turn-of-the-century hotel as the ‘Hotel of Presidents’ for its contributions to political parlance and also to pop culture (Al Capone’s The Untouchables). If you’re looking for a venue that brings out your inner badass, the Blackstone is it! Don’t miss that AMAZE red room!

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Lyndsay and Reid’s intimate wedding took place at Chicago Illuminating Company. It is housed in a former power plant/warehouse and has an urban loft vibe to it – a perfect complement to the couple’s modern affair. Designed by Kehoe Designs, the classic black and white design was punctuated with gold and silver accents, ghost chairs at dinner tables, and velvet chaise lounges casually strewn around the dance floor in an I’m-too-cool-for-you attitude. (You can always tell a Kehoe wedding from any others, see other signature examples here and here.) Scroll through for more from this awesome wedding!

Congrats, Lyndsay and Reid!

xo, Melissa

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Lyndsay and Reid’s Wedding Guide ::

Venue, Chicago Illuminating Company (ceremony and reception)  //  Bride’s Attire, Ian Stuart gown, Nordstrom Glint shoes  //  Bride’s Hair, Robyn Tornabeni Productions //  Bride’s Makeup, Rachel McQuen // Groom’s Attire, ESQ //  Bridesmaids’ Dresses, Ralph Lauren  //  Wedding Consultant, Misse Daniel of Honey Bee // Florist, Kehoe Designs //  Event Designer, Kehoe Designs // Cake, Courageous Cupcakes //  Caterer, The Entertaining Company //  Music, Okyne Medialab //  Videographer, Leap Weddings  //  Officiant, Jolie Tripoli

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#HashtagThis. Because this is the kind of couple that has a wicked sense of humor, throws a Pinterest-worthy party, AND that has the kinds of friends and family that will share selfies for a millennial wedding video to remember for a lifetime. (Watch it, it’s amazing.)

Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s talk wedding details!

Sycamore Blumen Garden Weddings

The rustic romance of Alisa and Joey’s wedding at Blumen Gardens in Sycamore, Illinois charmed the socks off their guests. As a Chicago bred photographer who has shot my share of urban city weddings, I really enjoyed going off the beaten path! This unique event venue is housed inside a renovated factory that today serves as a landscaping company and garden gift shop! Naturally, the space comes complete with blooming beauties and exposed brick walls – just the perfect backdrop for a rustic wedding!

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In addition to doing a first look in an intimate spot of the outdoor courtyard, the couple also took portraits together before the ceremony amidst artfully strewn broken down doors and rusted wrought iron trellises. Joey was in tears when he saw his bride for the first time – and how could he not be blown away? Alisa was stunning in a floaty chiffon number with just the slightest hint of pale pink beading on the sleeves by Hayley Paige.

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Lovely details at the reception included birch-and-burlap accents, mason jars-turned votive holders, no-fuss table blooms, and twinkling lights. To complement the rustic venue space, Alisa opted to infuse her palette with soft colors primarily using pale pink and ivory flowers in pairings that felt romantic and slightly overgrown. Assorted greenery in simple single-bud vases tied in the venue’s beautiful foliage.

Scroll through to get an insider’s glimpse of this seriously stylish, intimate wedding that feels as comfortable as if it were in someone’s home – a home straight out of House Beautiful, of course! Enjoy!

xo, Melissa

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Alisa and Joey’s Wedding Guide ::

Venue, Blumen Gardens //  Bride’s Attire, Hayley Paige gown, Betsey Johnson shoes  //  Bride’s Hair, Ginger Damato //  Bride’s Makeup, Wendy City Faces //  Groom’s Attire, Formally Modern Tuxedo  //  Bridesmaids’ Dresses, J. Crew //  Event Designer, Tassie Tagarelli of Instincts Design Studio  // Florist, Tassie Tagarelli of Instincts Design Studio  //  Cake, The Baking Institute  //  Caterer, Nat’s on Maple  //  Music, Music by Design  //  Videographer, White Wedding Cinema  //  Officiant, Service Ministries

p.s. in case you missed clicking the above link to the couple’s surprise wedding video for their guests, press play below!

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chicago palmer house wedding

Last month I had the pleasure of photographing Sobia and Hamad’s gorgeous wedding reception at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago. This stunning couple held their ceremony in Michigan, where Sobia and Hamad are each completing medical residency. They came back to Chi-town to share the occasion with the groom’s side of the family – and they couldn’t have picked a better venue than the Palmer House! I used to live a couple miles from this landmark hotel in the Loop, so I always feel right at home shooting at this location.

Sobia and Hamad were a delight to work with. Interestingly enough, a few years ago I shot the wedding of Hamad’s brother, whom I have since became good friends with. Anyone with eyes could easily see that Hamad is crazy in love with his bride. At one point during the shoot, Hamad reached down to help buckle her shoe strap – needless to say this romantic gesture had her girlfriends gushing!

Sobia and Hamad turned the traditional formality of the 150 year-old venue into a fresh-feeling, vibrant English rose garden, with hues of blush rose and lush greens accenting the signature Palmer House golden interiors. The innocuous innocence of the garden design allowed the radiant bride (and her bedazzling gown) to shine! Portraits under the famous frescoed ceilings of the Palmer House were a highlight of this shoot, as was the Chicago skyline and the Chicago Opera House. Scroll through for more from this fabulous hometown wedding!

xo, Melissa

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Sobia and Hamad’s Wedding Guide ::

Venue, Palmer House Hilton (Chicago wedding reception only)  //  Bride’s Shoes, Christian Louboutin  //  Bride’s Makeup, Sana Yousaf  //  Groom’s Attire, Suit Supply //  Florist, Northern Greenhouses  //  Cake, Take the Cake  //  Caterer, Shahi Nahari

 

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