Chris + Kristen’s Hotel Baker Wedding St. Charles
“Chris + Kristen have been featured on our blog before… you may remember them from our blog post of their high-fashion photography style engagement session. We photographed C+K early in the Spring season with a session both in and outside their historic home. So on the morning of the wedding, we met again at a familiar place… at the couple’s home. During the engagement, Kristen was telling us about her dress, her first fitting, invitations, and described her developing wedding’s style which was a “victorian theme with a touch of vintage” with a neutral color palette in ivory and white with black accents. Kristen’s dress selection was an elegant gown featuring french lace from top to bottom. the victorian and luxurious lines of the dress, helped to set the tone for the wedding. On the wedding morning, there was a threat of an afternoon thundershower or two, but we optimistic and kept our plans for outdoor photos in between the couple’s ceremony and reception, and we luckily dodged the rain. The couple incorporated a vintage church ceremony taking place at a small little white church in the country. Kristen and Chris discussed location ideas for the in between photos and Kristen was reminded of the old world windmills along the Fox River within the valley area, so she proposed to us the idea of shooting portraits by them.
Chris + Kristen’s St. Charles wedding reception at Hotel Baker was a memorable event, gorgeous venue, and an amazing evening soiree. We highly recommend to newly engaged couples, searching for unique historic wedding venue with a small to medium sized guest list, to definitely to take time to visit this hotel! With a number of luxurious rooms to photograph inside, we simply fell in love with the setting… as did Chris + Kristen upon their first hotel visit. We arrived at the venue early and before the cocktails began, setting a side time and a few photos up top the hotel above C+K’s room which had a private rooftop balcony. The room’s outdoor terrace overlooked the Fox River, Route 64 and downtown St. Charles.
Hotel Baker’s luxurious ballroom called the rainbow room has notable historic significance and impressive architectural details. At first sight, the two-story rainbow room provides an ultimate first impression, sophistication and the room serves as the perfect setting for an intimate reception. The circular room has dark wood, classic columns and is highlighted with an illuminated dance floor… we easily understood why Chris + Kristen choose this venue. It is a suburban gem, perfect if searching for a vintage and historic reception venue outside of the City of Chicago. Events were held in several rooms… cocktails were sipped by guest’s who enjoyed the fresh Spring air and grand views of the Fox River while mingling outdoors in the venue’s outdoor rose garden and courtyard. While the waterfront room served as the guest’s indoor option for during the cocktails. The waterfront room is another visually captivating room with architectural details reminiscent of a classical European courtyard. The Hotel Baker is truly an incomparable setting in the Chicago west suburbs for a wedding. We can’t wait for our next visit!
Kristen and Chris we enjoyed working with you, meeting your family and close friends, and we have enjoyed becoming new friends over the past couple of months. We are very thankful you found our wedding photography blog and booked us as your engagement and wedding photographers. Hope seeing these photos take you back to your May wedding day. Enjoy and talk to you again soon!”
Kristen + Chris’s wedding included many DIY and these details:
Ceremony: Sugar Grove United Methodist, Sugar Grove
Wedding Reception: Hotel Baker, St. Charles, IL
Bridal Dress Designer: Allure Bridal Designs
Dress Shop + Feather Hair Accessory: House of Brides
Hair: Lauren Marie Simmons, Oswego
Makeup Completed on Location by: Laura Schmidt, Aurora, IL 630-433-0118
Jewelry: Borrowed from Family
Maid of Honor Dress: The Prom Shoppe, Oswego
Maid of Honor Shoes: DSW
Tuxedos: American Male, Oswego
Catering: Hotel Baker, St. Charles, Illinois
Menu: Chicken en Croute, Filet Mignon
Flowers: The Wild Rose Florist, North Aurora
Honeymoon: TBA
Chris + Kristen’s Engagement Photography Session
“Chris + Kristen have set an early Spring wedding date, therefore we scheduled a very early Spring engagement photography session with them. After further discussing their shoot date and the likely chilly Spring weather, we decided on photographing them inside the couple’s historic home. Kristen mentioned she loved our high-fashion engagement photography style, so within the comfort of their home we choose a few indoor rooms and ventured outside for some outdoors portraits in their front and back yards. We had a great time in your home – thanks C+K in inviting us over. Enjoyed talking and getting to know the two of you even more after we wrapped up the shoot toasting to the St. Patty’s day holiday.
We are looking forward to C+K’s wedding day celebration and reception set to take place in St. Charles at Hotel Baker in the oval Rainbow Room. The unique circular ballroom offers both old-world elegance and romantic charm. The lovely lighted dance floor, richly detailed mahogany columns, circular balcony, and views of the setting over the Fox River, we are looking forward to shooting this wedding. Plus, what a picture-perfect setting for Kristen’s described victorian decorated and themed wedding day style. We can’t wait for the celebration. Hope you enjoy the pictures Chris and Kristen. Talk to you soon.”
Chris + Kristen are tying the knot in early May. The couple booked their wedding reception at Hotel Baker located in St. Charles Illinois. Hotel Baker is a luxurious and elegant West suburban hotel and wedding venue situated on the shores of the Fox River. Originally built in 1928, the hotel with it’s recent restorations creates an ambience reminiscent of its former formal splendor. With both architectural and historical significance, the wedding venue Hotel Baker has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Awesome photos, great looking couple. Congratulations.
Thank you sooo much Kristen for leaving such AMAZING words and this blog comment. We are so grateful you guys found us, and were there to capture you and Chris on your wedding day. We loved Hotel Baker and loved you guys… a great combination. Best wishes to you. Sarah + Ryan
The pictures turned out AMAZING!!! It’s so fun to look back at such an important day through the eyes of two of the most talented photographers I know. Living the day as the bride is obviously amazing and special, but looking at the day in pictures is a whole other experience, and I am soooo greatful that I was lucky enough to have such amazing people provide me with the most beautiful pictures of the one of the most important days in our lives. We will, without a doubt, be able to look through our wedding album and truly be able to experience the love, excitement, and beauty of May 6th, 2011 for the decades to come. Thanks to you both Sarah and Ryan! We are forever grateful. Muah!!
–Chris and Kristen ;)