Check out Chicago Style Unveiled to see the awesome “real Chicago wedding” featuring Dan & Laura, their kick-ass wedding and me!
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
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.)
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:
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
now that the proverbial ball is rolling with getting ae off the ground and running i wanted to start a little wedding blog to be a big, ol’ show-off and brag about the awesomely awesome weddings/parties/showers/tuesday nights that ae was honored to be a part of. what? coordinating my tuesday nights don’t count? come on…
so, welcome to the blog to end all blogs. i plan on catching up on the 2009 ae events in the next few weeks. stay tuned for:
ashley + bryan throw down in peoria
julia + dave put every single DIY wedding in the universe to shame
laura + dan tango among eclectic antiques
amy prepares for a little one
laura + dan* and their rowdy crowd bring us sweet home, chicago
it’s been six months since we’ve been in business and with dates booking up in 2010 we are thrilled to know that we’ve only just begun!
* two laura + dan’s in a row. out of four weddings, half are laura + dan’s. interesting, no? an omen my friends, a good sign indeed.