“This was our second visit and wedding at The Blackstone Hotel this Summer, and we absolutely could not wait to shoot there again. Although the two event dates were set only a few months apart, we often find because every couple plans their ceremony + reception uniquely adding in their individualized style, even if the two events are in the same ballroom and season, the results are always such different photographs. Tons of personalized style was the case for Mark + Vanessa’s day. M+V put together one of the best days with a set of amazing Chicago vendors. With plenty of online research, adding in a number of DIY items, along with ideas from Tara Moser of LOLA Event Productions, the day seamlessly unveiled Vanessa’s dream wedding day. The groom is English, and the bride a southern girl. The couple incorporated ties to those upbringings, paired with a classic Chicago ambiance and good old fashion Southern wedding charm.

 

There were so many additional things we loved about M+V’s day. The smaller intimate gathering of guests ( with many attendees traveling from a number of miles away including family & Mark’s parents who reside in England and Vanessa’s family residing in the the Southern states. ) We also loved all the paper items including the weekend’s guests welcome box, watercolor maps, invitations and printed information which was provided to guests outlining the downtown area and the perks of the Michigan Avenue hotel. When deciding on a venue, M+V decided upon the Blackstone which they say offered: amazing food prepared by the amazing Chef Eric from Mercat a la Planxa, and the perfect, hands down favorite of both the Groom + Bride for venue ambiance both being fans of history and architecture. Vanessa made a stunning bride, radiantly glowing ( a special thanks to the beauty talents of Erin + Kristen ) and all complete in her beautiful Lazaro couture gown. Later during dinner, Vanessa tied back her curled tendrils and accessorized her dress adding a sheer black bow accent. Both the ceremony and reception incorporated anything from the ordinary activities including the Jewish wedding celebratory hora dance with the couple on chairs over the dance floor guests, the hilarious entrances on surprised motorized carts, a competition pingpong table, and games for the children guests. The behind the scenes and pre-day efforts Vanessa brought along were personally constructed or designed by herself ( which we enjoyed photographing so well that we added in more than we usually post of detail photos within this blog post. ) She created the CHICAGO save-the-dates, ceremony hard bound “love story” book programs, the welcome gable boxes and welcome information, the escort cards, dinner place cards, menus, kid’s activity packs, and initials photo props – everything was just exquisite. And the esthetic of the “southern charm” decorated reception room WOW it was breathtaking. Decor included flickering candles, candelabras, an amazing array of fresh flowers, peonies, and perfectly shaped peaches on each place setting. Vanessa’s selected florist Cornelia McNamara did an impeccable job with the flowers. The room was inviting + warm, and matching nearly identical to Vanessa + Mark’s also warm + inviting personalities.

 

It was wonderful getting to know your kind and fun friends and families Mark + Vanessa! Thank you so much for allowing us to be a part of your wonderful day. We enjoyed being with you for nearly the entire day, documenting the celebration taking place inside the classically elegant ballroom, seeing the two of you in wedded bliss, and all dressed up, looking so glamorous. As you can see, in this blog post… we had SOOO many top favorite photos from your day… and many more photos will be ready for your viewing also soon. Enjoy + Congrats.”

 

 

 

Vanessa + Mark’s Bridal Details:
Wedding Theme: Classic Elegance Colors: Grey, Peach + Antique White
Planner: Tara Moser from LOLA Event Productions
Bride’s Prep-Room: The Presidential Suite Smoke Filled Room
Bridal Dress Designer: Lazaro
Dress Shop: Volle’s Bridal & Boutique
Bridal Shoes: Christian Louboutin, Nordstrom
Hair: Erin Graham, 312.560.7890, skinpact {at} gmail.com
Makeup: Artistry by Kristen Repta of www.rachelreiman.com or Artists by Timothy Priano / Stewart Talent Agency, www.kristenterese.com, 312.479.7853, kristenterese {at} yahoo.com
Bridesmaids Dress: Jenny Yoo
Tuxedos: Men’s Wearhouse
Officiant: Reverend Jim Rehnberg
String Quartet: Parkwest Strings
Flowers: Cornelia McNamara Flowers
Invitations: Betsy White Stationery Boutique
Map + Guest Signing Scroll: Hand Lettered Calligraphy + Watercolor Illustration by Elizabeth Danae Elizabeth Danae on Etsy
DIY and various paper products by Vanessa the bride
Caterer: Mercat a la Planxa inside the Blackstone
Cake: Take the Cake
DJs: Kate Bilinski and Rachel Hinsdale of Toast & Jam
The Couple’s First Dance Song: L.O.V.E. by Nat King Cole

 

Ceremony + Reception Venue: Renaissance Blackstone Chicago Hotel
The Blackstone venue’s ballroom overlooks Michigan Avenue, Grant Park and the Lake. A unique mix of both historic and a modern space, the crystal ballroom is painted with ornate details, colors of grey and white, elegant vintage chandelier lighting, and a carpeted floor featuring a massive, colorful and bold chrysanthemum flower design. Other distinctive and unique rooms are the Art Hall, Barber Shop, English Board room and the Presidential Suite also called the Smoke Filled Room. But none are as uniquely designed and breathtaking as the hotel’s lobby with it’s colorful flooring pattern, marble, columns, ceiling, fabrics and the furniture ( including the gold couch ) just amazing to photograph within. The hotel is absolutely stunning and on a list of our favorite indoor places to shoot at within the City of Chicago. Quite legendary, the Blackstone has been the choice hotel for over 100 years as a venue for a numerous notable historical events of Chicago’s finest celebrities, sports starts, royalty and Presidents including Hollywood’s greatest such as Katherine Hepburn and other famous celebs coming into the City.

“Matt + Stephanie selected us to photograph their Chicago wedding day which took place at one of our downtown favorites the Chicago Blackstone Hotel. We absolutely love this hotel venue. What an awesome venue selection you choose Matt + Stephanie, one of the best in the City, and fitting for two equally amazing people. The Blackstone Hotel is located on Michigan Avenue and Stephanie mentioned that her and Matt fell in love with this hotel for it’s bold decor, location, historical significance, and architectural details. The feeling was mutual, we also love the hotel for it’s amazingly designed rooms which were a treat to photograph the bridal party and bride & groom in… narrowing down our choices to just a few rooms was difficult. When discussing the Blackstone’s English Room, this was one room the four of us especially liked the decor. It’s an architectural gem as the hotel describes it. The historic English Room is “a board room within the hotel featuring 17th century walnut paneling, slate and Colorado white stone flooring, a beautifully carved ceiling, original stained-glass windows from 1910.” Not only this room, but overall the hotel features a great mix of both unique, modern and historical decor. Lucky us, we are already looking forward to our second visit to the Blackstone hotel and Crystal Ballroom where we will be wedding photographers again for another couple later this summer.

 

Matt and Steph’s friends and family stayed at the hotel and traveled to downtown Chicago from around the country. The Blackstone is located in the heart of the City, in the South Loop, and across from Grant Park perfect for out of town guests to enjoy the views of the City’s architecture and stroll around visiting museums and the Loop. Noted as historically a favorite of movie stars, sports legends, royalty and presidents dating back to 1910, the hotel today has retained it’s legendary flair of hollywood, glamour and luxurious splendor. The glitzy and luxury selections Stephanie choose in her dress, shoes, jewelry and modern color palette, tied the venue and her day’s details altogether beautifully. From the colorful lobby, walking through the doors of the both their ceremony and reception at the Blackstone’s Crystal Ballroom, or mingling in the art hall where guests enjoyed pre-function hors’devours and cocktails, guests couldn’t help to mention how impressed they were with the legendary and Chicago style wedding they were attending.

 

Stephanie did an amazing job in hiring local vendors and completing the design and details behind her day decorating the hotel in lovely style. Be sure to check out her vendors listed below and Stephanie also offered up a few extra words of advice for those couples who are still organizing their plans for a wedding day. Steph writes:

 

“Take some time during the wedding to really look around and take everything in. Try not to separate from your husband too much during the night, as once you separate it is hard to get back together because everyone wants to talk to you. Great advice is have a receiving line to make sure you are able to at least say hi to everyone that is there. Matt wanted one and I did not. I was so glad we had one because we would have not spoken to everyone that night had we not had one. People had travelled from all over the country to come to the wedding and had I not even said hi to some of them I would have felt so bad.”

 

Stephanie and Matt we were SOOO excited you choose the two of us as your wedding photographers, we love the Blackstone, documenting your day, working with you two, family and friends, and it was exciting seeing you two united in marriage. Best wishes to the two of you and congratulations.”

 

 

 

 

Matt + Stephanie’s recommended Chicago wedding vendors:
Marriott Chicago Hotel Wedding Venue: Renaissance Blackstone Chicago Hotel, 636 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago
Wedding Planning, Hotel + Event Information Contact: Ashley Sneddon at the Blackstone Hotel 312.542.3436
Reception + Ceremony Ballroom: The Blackstone Hotel Crystal Ballroom which overlooks Michigan Avenue
Before Dinner Cocktails: The Art Hall in the Blackstone
Bridal Dress Designer: Amsale by Christos
Dress Shop: Bella Via Bridal Couture, 34 East Oak Street, 4th Floor, Chicago
Bridal Shoes: Hondola Platform Pumps Guess
Bridal Jewelry: Monet, a gift from Stephanie’s mom
In Hotel Room Bridal Hair + Make-Up by: Trisha of Sine Qua Non, Four locations in Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Andersonville and West Town
Bridesmaids Shoes: Each bridesmaid selected their own shoes
Bridesmaids Dress: White House Black Market Evening Collection
Tuxedos: Men’s Warehouse
Caterer: Mercat a la Planxa inside the Blackstone
Cake: Tipsy Top, Red Velvet Cake by Take the Cake
Topper: Mr. and Mrs. Smith Cake Topper
Bouquets, Tabletops + Flowers: Kehoe Designs
DJ: Mike Veccach
Honeymoon: Aruba at the Ocean Club Marriott

 

 

Stephanie and Matt work for the same organization, but Steph lives here in Chicago and Matt in Washington D.C. With Matt often traveling around the world for his job, when he caught a break and was in town visiting Steph for a long weekend, we scheduled their session. Be sure to visit our blogged favorites images from Matt + Stephanie’s Chicago engagement photography session.