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Check out Chicago Style Unveiled to see the awesome “real Chicago wedding” featuring Dan & Laura, their kick-ass wedding and me!

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Congrats on the awesome feature guys and thanks to Chicago Style Unveiled for the hoopla!

chicago wedding at architectural artifacts

Laura & Dan were married at Architectural Artifacts in November of 2009. If you’ve never been to Architectural Artifacts, you should definitely go over and get lost for a little while. Literally. I’ve been there three or four times now and every time I go I find a nook and then a cranny I have never seen before. Also, mannequins. Love the mannequins.

Their cake was lovely and in the background you can see their video playing. I’m going to go ahead and make a bold statement: best wedding video I’ve ever seen. Think I’m lying? Check it out here.

Dan & Laura put so many personal details into the day. A family friend and florist, Kim and her team did a magnificent job transforming the space (and were a pleasure to work with, to boot!) Their sweetheart table looked amazing and please also take note of the fountain behind it. Kim put tons of flowers and candles all over it. It was a fantastic focal point and looked insanely gorgeous. AA brides take note.

The aisle was lined with a few dozen of these vases filled with flowers. It looked gorgeous when they were all lit up! Speaking of the aisle, Laura bought a plain white aisle runner and painted their monogram on it. I swear I get the craftiest brides. And I love it.

For their guest book, Laura & Dan printed out a 2010 calendar and asked all of their guests to sign on their birthday or anniversary. I love this idea for an end of year wedding–totally useful, special and also a great way to make sure you know the special days of all of the important people in your life!

Looks like Dan sent Laura a sweet note to read before the ceremony. Good work Dan, look at that smile!

Saying “I do!” (Check out the trellis that Kim decked out. It looked a-mah-zing.

Lighting the unity candle:

I mentioned the nooks and crannies that I find each time I go to Architectural Artifacts. There are three giant floors, each a feast for the eyes and (I’m guessing) a photographer’s paradise. So many props to use, so little time.

And lastly, when Laura sent me these pictures she included a little note saying she picked out a few good detail shots of things I did and a few of her personal favorites. Of course you want all the great moments and special details captured!

*All photos in this post, courtesy of the uuber-talented: Misty Winter

Laura + Dan’s Vendors:
Ceremony & Reception: Architectural Artifacts
Catering: Blue Plate Catering
Photography: Misty Winter
Photo Booth: Chicagoland Photo Booth
Videography: Blink of an Eye Productions
Florist: Kimberose
Video: Simply Unique Video
DJ: Backthird Events
Transportation: Empire Limo
Media Delivery & Rental: Trailing Edge Media
Day-of Coordination: Anticipation Events

chicago wedding at salvage one

Laura + Dan’s wedding at Salvage One in Chicago was beyond gorgeous. If you have never been there before, you should check it out. They describe themselves best, so I’m not going to mess it up: “We save architectural elements from the wrecking ball. We work to preserve and pass on our history. We have been helping our customers breathe new life into salvaged materials for nearly 30 years. We aim to take salvage further by working with you to add creativity and style to your space. Our store is over 60,000 square feet full of materials and design ideas on four floors. We have a full work shop to do custom work, and a yard full of garden and landscaping ideas.” But it’s also a wicked-cool place to have your wedding, but you better have a little bad-ass in you.

Like I said, pretty awesome, right?

Laura and Dan met through Laura’s sister via Beloit College in Wisconsin (random side note: this was random because I lived in Beloit when I was a wee little one. I went to Happy Face Preschool. Most people have never heard of Beloit- which is my point.)

The ceremony was inside because it was pretty cold out, but the backdrop for it is amazing.

Laura and Dan planned a fun surprise that even their families didn’t know about! They hired a bluegrass band to play during the ceremony and cocktail hour. It was so fun and everyone loved it!

Another thing that is really cool about Salvage One is that dinner is served on the second floor and the tables and chairs used are all items that are for sale at the store. It means that each table is different, some seat four and some seat 12 people, and each table has a unique set of chairs at it. It makes seating a little more complicated because if they sell one of the tables the day before your wedding, you have to re-work the seating, but you get all the chairs and tables with the rental fee and they don’t need linens as they are beautiful on their own. Check out their tables:

They had bright pink, purple and gold fabric that Laura’s sister brought back from Japan and her mom made into table runners. She also stocked up at the after Christmas sale at Pier One and got all of the stuff for her centerpieces and a bunch of Christmas ornaments that we used in the centerpieces and as favors for their guests.

I love how unique their wedding was. Amazing French food, a tango for their first dance, a completely unique setting, Christmas decorations that were totally re-purposed for a wedding and a Dairy Queen ice cream cake surprise for the groom. Go Team Zeewagen!

*I like to give credit where credit is due: all pictures courtesy of Lizz via Orange 2 Photography

Laura + Dan’s Vendors
Ceremony & Reception: Salvage One
Reception decor: Laura, with help from Pier One
Catering: Cook au Vin
Photography: Orange2Photo
Videography: Loudbyte Cinematography
Cake: Sweet P Sweets
Groom’s Cake: Dairy Queen
DJ: Style Matters
Ceremony & Cocktail Music: Basically Bluegrass
Day-of Coordination: Anticipation Events

lake wedding at byron colby barn

Julia + Dave’s wedding at Byron Colby Barn in Grayslake in September was the most impressive DIY wedding you’ll ever see. First, it rained so hard the night of the rehearsal that it took me three hours to drive from the city to the rehearsal at Dave’s parents house in Crystal Lake. It was not looking good for their outdoor ceremony at the barn.

Let me pause this recap for a moment to just say that Julia is likely one of the craftiest brides I have ever met.

These two made SO MANY things for their wedding, even I (who considers myself pretty crafty) was in shock. Yes she made the escort cards, relabeled the water bottles, made the luminaries, made votive holders to be hung from ribbon around the barn, covered books for the centerpieces, thrifted silver pieces for the centerpieces, made the table numbers and made the favors and packaging. BUT, my friends, (this is a big ol’ BUT) she also: made the glorious flower wall backdrop for the ceremony, made the invitations, programs and menus, made all of the boutonnieres, sewed table runners for all of the tables, sewed chair covers for all. of. the. chairs. (there were 100), arranged all of the flowers for the centerpieces and bouquets. I am exhausted just typing all of that and I know there were other things that I can’t find the finger strength to type. She puts crafters like me to shame. SHAME. End pause.

This wedding was such a team effort. The morning of the wedding so many of their family members were at the site with me setting up: Dave and his Dad put up the AMAZING flower wall that Julia made. Aunts tied chair cover ribbons. Grandpa laid runners out and arranged centerpieces. Julia’s brothers lit candles. The list goes on. Needless to say, I think (hope!) Julia felt good about leaving all of her hard work in many capable hands.

They had an adorable first look and took some photos with Kim from Bowtie Photography:

Guests were greeted with the much lauded “Dave loves Julia” and “Julia loves Dave” water bottles, and lemon and lime slices.

Julia’s brothers had the honor of walking Julia down the aisle…

…where they said their “I dos” in front of the fabulous flowers.

Inside the barn for dinner, guests found their table by finding the book that matched the one on their escort card. (Dave and Julia met in the library, you see.)

The tables looked amazing (go Grandpa, go!.) Take note of those table runners and chair covers while you remember that she.made.them. Again with the emphasis. After the wedding I tried to convince Julia she needs to start a side business doing flower arrangements (before I get engaged please?):

They danced their first dance, and then much fun was had:

Le sigh. I don’t think I have to say anything more.

Except! if you love Julia and want to see more of their wedding check out her wedding blog The Eventual Wedding and her current blog Ordinary Saturdays.

*all pictures in this post courtesy of the lovely Kim at bowtie photography

Julia + Dave’s Vendors:
Ceremony & Reception: Byron Colby Barn
Reception decor: Julia
Catering: Marvela’s Catering Services
Photography & Photo Booth: Kim at Bowtie Photography
Florist: Julia
Cake: Lovin Oven Cakery
DJ: Kristin with Toast & Jam
Day-of Coordination: Anticipation Events

chicago wedding at holiday inn city centre

ashley and bryan’s wedding at holiday inn city centre was held in august in peoria. i had never been to peoria until i drove down for their big day but i was charmed with how quaint the city centre was. it was also really easy to walk park and forth between their ceremony site, sacred heart church and the holiday inn city centre where they held their reception. also, parking was just a dream. but i digress. the good stuff, that’s what you came for right? let’s begin then, shall we?

right. okay so i have noticed that when i am looking through thousands of pictures from my bride’s i am always saving the requisite shoe shots. i just can’t get enough of them. chris got a great shot of theirs: