“After spending the day with Ian + Erica earlier in the Summer on their urban Chicago high-fashion engagement photography session, we could hardly wait for their unique and modern Chicago wedding date at The Stan Mansion to arrive. First off, we loved working with Erica + Ian they are such a cool couple ( and not to mention the beautiful Erica is so easy to photograph… her daughter Meriah is a mer clone of the same beauty. ) But secondly, we LOVE unique venues and weddings which our couples are overly excited about. Which was exactly what I+E’s wedding was. It was distinctive and modern incorporating tons of contemporary mixed with romantic wedding details… With a number of Erica and Ian’s fellow music industry friends + DJs joining in on the festivities alongside both of their families from the Crystal Lake and the Naperville / Aurora burbs all in the City, we knew it would be a truly memorable wedding affair. If you weren’t at this wedding… you missed out on some fun.

 

Ian + Erica booked The Stan Mansion, a historic mansion located in the Logan Square neighborhood for both their reception and romantic wedding ceremony. The Stan Mansion is an open canvas and a wedding planners dream where couples bring in to the space their own decorating style making it their own. I+E loved the historic mansion and the flexibility of the space ( you can hire any caterer of their choice and even have the flexibility of saving money by bringing their own liquor. ) The historic mansion boasts of their relaxed atmosphere. The mansion is dark and moody, club like as Erica described it with rich colored carpets, textures, added luxurious renovations, modern brick, and an opulent ambiance. It’s the perfect venue for a musician and artist like Ian who’s a DJ. The venue is a mix of old fashion with the ornate stage and attached open banquet room, tied with an urban flair, as the attached brick bar section and outdoor front courtyard spaces invite guests to roam around the venue like a Chicago bar. For Ian and Erica, with The Stan Mansion’s being located in Logan Square it was especially an ideal location, as it’s also the neighborhood where Ian + Erica live.

 

Envisioning filling the space with awesome acoustics, bumping music, lights, and rich fabrics and with so many creative directions in front of Ian + Erica, they decided to hire the wedding planning and coordination expertise of Anthony Navarro from Liven It Up Events who appointed the idyllic setting artistry of Deborah Weisenhaus of Art of Imagination… we highly recommend contacting Liven It Up Events for day of coordination or for full wedding planning. Anthony’s personality and talents make any room light up. On your wedding day, having all the events of the day organized, set ups running smoothly, the room convert and a seamless coordination of vendors becomes easy and uncomplicated when Anthony is there to put all the artistry together. He’s super creative, high energy, and passionate about his job and most importantly transforming your wedding vision into life. We have worked with Anthony prior to I+E’s wedding and were excited to work with him again at the mansion wedding. From vendor suggestion, table decor, to large and small details, Anthony is a man of organization and tons of inventive ideas.

 

A few things we especially loved about their day, beyond the already discussed unique music, friends and guest DJs, Ian + Erica kept things modern + simple choosing quite a few vendors they personally knew. Loved Erica’s Mia Solano dress, the bridesmaids feather bouquets and the custom bridal bouquet. Ian + Erica prepared touching, personally written wedding vows to each other – it was a short, but an emotional ceremony on stage with a close friend of Ian’s officiating the ceremony. We loved the topsy turvy wedding cake and cute penguin toppers… I think just about everyone in the reception room took a photo of it. We always love added up lighting at weddings and for their reception + ceremony it provided the bold bright green color which reflected throughout the room. So glad we squeezed in just enough time on the venue’s stage for some dramatic wedding photos of the bride and groom for the first time, officially as a married couple. With the groomsmen and Ian prepped and waiting for his bride, the guys posing by the bar became the perfect photo to close with… we love it. And not to mention our time outside the Mansion for a few romantic and high-fashion wedding day shots in Logan Square amidst the local summer festivities that were taking place, memorable.

 

Ian and Erica… as always, Ryan and I had a blast spending the day with the two of you, photographing and helping to celebrate your day. We hope you enjoy our featured pictures from your wedding. The season and things are starting to slow down, so we’d love to meet up at one of your club DJing events… Many thanks again in hiring us as your engagement and Chicago wedding photographers. Hope you enjoy and talk to you soon.”

 

 

 

Have you catched a glimpse of Ian around town? He’s a Chicago Hip Hop DJ who frequents venues like Angels & Kings and the Roof @ the Wit Hotel in Chicago. For more information about his music and upcoming shows visit www.bigonce.com

 

Ian + Erica’s wedding day consisted of many friends contributing to their day. Below are a few of their hired Chicago wedding vendors and selections which they praise:
Ceremony + Reception: The Stan Mansion www.stanmansion.com in Logan Square, 2408 N. Kedzie, Chicago, IL
Hotel Prep Locations: Crowne Plaza Chicago Metro www.thechicagometro.com, Chicago
Couture Wedding Dress: Mia Solano www.miasolano.com
Bridal Shoes: Aldo Shoes www.aldoshoes.com
Wedding Planning + Coordination by: Anthony from Liven It Up Events 773-727-4929 www.livenitup.com, Chicago
Make-Up Artist: Leah Berman www.loveleah.com
Florist: Fleur Inc. www.fleurchicago.com 3149 W Logan Blvd., Chicago (773) 395-2770
Officiant: A close friends of Ian’s and DJ www.bigapoc.com
DJ: Two friends of Ian’s
Catering: Natalie from D’Absolute Catering, Chicago
Wedding Cake: Yudycakes 630-803-4127 www.yudycakes.blogspot.com , Aurora | Oswego | Chicago
Event Fabric: Supreme Novelty Fabrics 312-226-1030 www.supremefabrics.com, Chicago
Idyllic Setting and Event Design ( including Draping, Hanging Flowers + Lighting ) by: Deborah Weisenhaus www.artofimagination.com, Chicago

 

Want to see more… have you already viewed our blog post featuring our photographs of the beautiful Erica + Ian in and around Chicago, by graffiti and amidst urban decay? Take a peek at I+E’s urban high-fashion Chicago engagement session. Don’t forget to leave us, and the bride + groom a comment. : )

“Donovan + Brianna were a fun couple to work with. Their chemistry, edgy ideas, awesome trendy clothes, and pure comfortability with each other in front of the camera made them extremely easy to work with. Not to mention, wow they are a beautiful couple. After learning more about these two while out on the shoot, we determined Brianna’s camera comfortability comes from her former experience as an actress in LA and later here in Chicago on stage and screen. It’s no wonder they are planning for their wedding at the Chicago Lyric Opera House. Brianna loves the stage and is planning for her reception just like that, front + center on the Opera house’s stage.

 

During D+B’s Chicago engagement photography session, we also learned of their unique “falling in love” story. Donovan + Brianna met in LA while out + about at Halloween costume party in 2002. During this first meeting time, their timing was a little off, but they never lost touch or stopped thinking about one another. In 2006, they reconnected and Brianna says “they have been crazy in love ever since.”

 

A couple years later, D+B decided they were done with LA and couldn’t wait to get back to their midwestern roots. So Donovan accepted a senior level position at the Nationally known, Inland Real Estate Auctions and they relocated back to Chicago in 2008. Brianna has transitioned away from the limelight and is enjoying being an entrepreneur who owns and operates her own organic and nutritious baked goods company called Brianna’s Heathy Fare. I sampled a gluten free brownie, which was delicious. Brides and mom’s… she’s accepting orders for a variety of cakes, muffins, cookie, cupcakes and more which are great for events, parties, showers and even weddings. : )

 

For more information about Brianna’s Heathy Fare and her nutritious products, visit her web site www.briannashealthyfare.com.

Be sure to check her September 2009 video clip and feature of Brianna’s Heathy Fare on Chicago’s 190 North television show .

 

When discussing ideas for their engagement session, Donovan and I were discussing locations. He mentioned that he proposed to Brianna ( did you see her gorgeous sapphire engagement ring? ) at The Elysian Waldorf Astoria Chicago Hotel. We have been long awaiting a look inside this hotel, and were very excited about this opportunity. In addition, to their proposal Donovan mentioned that few days after the proposal, D+B also hosted an celebratory engagement party at The Elysian’s second-floor Bernard’s Bar, so it was fitting that he requested and we returned to the Elysian Chicago hotel for their engagement session. We enjoyed shooting at Bernard’s Bar with it’s sueded lounge decor and velvet covered couches. The Elysian hotel lobby and their courtyard entrance creates a new definition in a Chicago luxury hotel. This hotel is SO VERY impressive and we couldn’t have asked for a more spectacular place to shoot at. We’d love to have had the luxury to spend more time within the hotel and especially in the lobby during our next visit… with only time for a few quick shots underneath the amazing, lobby chandelier “brooch” ( unfortunately with Donovan + Brianna it was a busy guest’s check in time ) we’d love to capture more photos here. : )

 

Thanks Donovan + Brianna in choosing us as your photographers! We had a great time spending the day with the two of you. Remember how super cold for like the last 45 minutes during the night photos on the beach, Brianna thanks for being such a trooper … you sure can’t tell from the photos how chilly it was. Good luck in the rest of your wedding day planning. Hope your family and friends in Chicago and LA love the photos as much as we do!!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Donovan + Brianna are planning their May 2011 wedding at the Chicago Lyric Opera House which is owned and operated by the world-renowned Lyric Opera of Chicago. The venue is considered a hybrid of Art Nouveau and Art Deco architectural designs and considered to be one of the world’s most beautiful opera venues! Built in 1929 and fully restored today, the Civic Opera House is majestic and will be an excellent, dramatic Chicago wedding venue for Donovan + Brianna to host their fairytale wedding. Visit the venue’s web site for more information www.civicoperahouse.com.

 

Searching for a glamourous, luxury Chicago hotel wedding venue, The Waldorf Astoria Chicago, formerly called the Elysian Hotel is definitely one to pursue. Visit the Waldorf Astoria Chicago Hotel web site www.waldorfastoria3.hilton.com for more information and of course, we look forward to you contacting Miller + Miller about your wedding photography.