Weddings
We’ve been so excited about Kristine & Ben’s wedding day! Ever since their stylish downtown engagement session, we have known that this Loyola wedding was going to be elegant and chic. Kristine went to college at Loyola University Chicago, and would sometimes attend mass in the breathtaking Madonna della Strada chapel. In many ways, this day was a homecoming. It was an opportunity for Kristine to return to her alma mater, and for these two families and cultures to come together. This Loyola chapel is not only a gorgeous indoor spot — it’s walking distance from Lake Michigan and all the natural beauty of the beaches and parks nearby.
There are beautiful touches of Kristine’s heritage throughout the day. We started the day at the luxurious Warwick Allerton before heading up to Loyola for a ceremony full of Filipino traditions. Also, did you know that Ben likes to dance? Well, get ready! This groom managed to bust a move during almost every part of the wedding day! He led a cool crew of groomsmen to the ceremony, where he showed off his skills! And no reception would be complete without some public displays of…improvised choreo?? Take a look at how much fun this happy couple is having at their reception. There’s so much joy that they literally cannot contain themselves. These candid dance moments led into a HALL OF FAME bouquet toss that you MUST see!
Enjoy this magical day, and join us in congratulating Kristine & Ben!
Meet the Team:
Caterer/Venue: Warwick Allerton Chicago | Ceremony Venue: Loyola University | DJ: Remix Entertainment Inc. | Wedding Cake: Vanille Patisserie | Florist: Bride’s Choice Flowers | Transportation: Absolute Dream Limousine | Make-Up: Makeup by Renata | Hair: Brides by Becky
Weddings
One of the most rewarding, emotional parts of the wedding day is getting to see everyone come together. For most couples, the wedding is an opportunity to bring together their families and friends. It is a chance to have your past and present help your celebrate your future. Usually, the sense of reunion is for our loved ones. For Rebecca & Paul, there was an extra layer of celebration. In addition to bringing their families together, their gorgeous day at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum was time together for the two of them. After being long-distance for so much of their relationship, Becca and Paul were elated to finally start living in the same city as newlyweds.
When we asked Rebecca & Paul why they chose the Nature Museum, the answer was easy! “We are outdoorsy, nature-loving people! We want our wedding to reflect how we feel about the earth. The butterfly haven is the best!” We were so happy that they mentioned the Nature Museum’s Butterfly Haven, because the wedding day brought a very special surprise. The Nature Museum of course offered sunshine and the kind of green and floral background brides dream of having on their day. But you have to scroll down to see the cameo appearance Mother Nature made at the Butterfly Haven.
Enjoy the smiles, the laughter, and join us in congratulating Rebecca & Paul!
Meet the Team
Ceremony & Reception Venue: Peggy Nortebaert Nature Museum | Coordinator: Lisa Gordon Events
Weddings
After the cake is cut and the bouquet has been thrown, you and your love finally get to exhale. You did it! You’re married! And while your relationship with most of your vendors comes to an end, our time with you is just beginning. We edit the photos, relive the memories, and put together galleries and slideshows for you to share with family & friends. But our job isn’t yet done. The art of photography is all about legacy, about preserving your story for future generations. The best way to capture the essence of your day is with a gorgeous Heirloom album.
Your wedding day is packed with those “a picture is worth a thousand words” moments. And while digital media is great for sharing (we’re all about Facebook posts and Instagram sneak peeks), you can’t put them on your coffee table. You can’t hold a USB in your hand on your anniversary, and flip through it with a glass of wine. Even in the past few years, we’ve seen technology undergo so many changes (from discs to USBs to direct downloads). One thing has been consistent: the quality of our Heirloom albums.
One of the best parts of the Gold Grid experience is your ordering party. We bring you into the studio and showcase all of your photos for the first time. There’s champagne, a fab slideshow, and a relaxing time to relive your day. It’s also a perfect opportunity to create your wedding album. We put together a pre-design that shows the highlights of your day, and utilize our software to make adjustments in real time. You can swap photos, ask for revisions, and by the time you leave — your album is ready to order! Most Gold Grid couples have their wedding album in hand three months after the wedding. The honeymoon phase is still in full blossom, and you already have a keepsake with a lifetime guarantee.
As you can see, we customize everything from the album cover, color, page number, and text — each album we create is unique to the couple and their story. Shall we help you tell yours?
Learn more about Gold Grid Studios!
Weddings
When we heard that Allison & Ben were getting married at the Wild Onion, we fell in love with the venue name. Isn’t there some song lyric about love being like wild onion? Well, there SHOULD be! When we asked these two what brought them to the brewery, Allison gave us the scoop. “We wanted to get married at a brewery because we love craft beers. The Wild Onion appealed to us because of it’s vaulted wood ceilings, rustic appeal, beautiful landscaping, and relaxed atmosphere. It also helps that their beer is very good!”
Get ready for a gorgeous, high-vaulted ceiling ceremony. It didn’t hurt that the sun coming through the floor-to-ceiling windows was a perfect spotlight for our star couple. And it turned out that Wild Onion not only served as a great rustic backdrop — it was also a source of inspiration for details. YES, that’s hops in Allison’s bouquet!
Also, keep your eyes out for Karrah & Marcus, who were a past couple of ours. Marcus is Allison’s brother. We were able to capture picture of the two of them walking down the aisle after the ceremony together. Marcus previously wasn’t a big fan of having his photo taken but…we’d say he knows he looks dapper now 😉
Enjoy getting to know Allison & Ben, and join us in congratulation them on a wonderfully realized day full of fun and laughter. And if we could sum up “love” in one photo…check out the one of Ben looking at Allison during toasts. #relationshipgoals
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Meet the Wedding Day Team:
Wedding Venue: The Onion Pub & Brewery | Wedding Dress: Joyful Occasion | Groom’s Attire: GQ Menswear | Bridesmaid Attire: David’s Bridal | DJ: Blackthird Entertainment | Florist: Prairie Basket Floral | Transportation: Elite Minibus
PS The bridesmaids’ gorgeous jewelry was handmade by the bride!
Wanna see more Gold Grid couples? Click here!
Weddings
Jordan & Joel taught us an important lesson — when you’ve got an abundance of love, you might as well share it as much as you can! After a holiday engagement session and an intimate San Francisco ceremony, it’s time for a Goose Island celebration in Chicago! It was an honor to capture this chapter in Jordan & Joel’s love story, and now we get to share it with you!
The day began at the James Hotel, a chic spot with so much natural light! As if the windows weren’t enough, can you please take a moment to appreciate this open staircase where Jordan & Joel did their first look? Absolute perfection! After some outdoor photos (yes, sunlight!) with the bridal party, we headed to Gallery 1028 on Goose Island. Jordan fell in love with this gallery because of its exposed brick and industrial vibe. They contrasted that with warm lights and candles, creating a cozy atmosphere.
A big congrats to Jordan & Joel! From San Fran to Chicago, from the Mission District to Goose Island, it’s been such a joy to be on this journey with you. Cheers to you, lovebirds!
Meet the Team:
Ceremony/Reception Venue: Gallery 1028 | Bridal Prep/First Look Venue: The James Hotel
