“Congrats goes out to Valentin + Nicole who were married this winter in downtown Chicago. Oh, how we love working with creative people and Val + Nikki most definitely are that. Remember when Nicole brought creativity to her and Val’s high-fashion engagement session with us last Summer? As you can see, that was just a small taste to the ideas and creativity she incorporated into the big day. A few details we especially enjoyed capturing as their Chicago wedding photographers were the couple’s first glance in Union Station, fun but frigid moments outside in the snow, the numerous and amazing reception details, dancing, performances, tears, smiles, the fun times with V+N guest’s friends and family, interpreting the guest’s photo booth marker board notes, and so much more. Nicole + Val added to their wedding coverage our popular reception Rock the Drop photo booth. Nikki decided to customize the guest’s experience and mix in a creative guestbook idea all in one. Her photo prop was bringing along dry erase marker boards where guest’s were to leave a surprise message to the bride and groom on signs during their portrait. Everyone joined in, the booth was crowded, and the sign idea was a hit.

 

Nicole’s executed her and Val’s winter wonderland theme wedding fabulously deciding on wintery yet monotone, white and metallic elements of snowflakes, icicles, white puffy snowballs, ice cubes, fur, feathers, crystals and metallic embellishments in the reception, bridal party jewelry and ceremony’s decorations. The reception’s ballroom was luxurious, dreamy and a nostalgic setting with draped metallic white fabrics and had a punch color with dark & light blue up lighting. Val + Nicole’s first dance was magical… complete with real falling snowflakes overhead! A sleek and modern, a Winter wonderland setting with vintage elegant touches. V+N did an amazing job planning the perfect Winter wonderland themed wedding.

 

I asked Nicole if she’d like to share any special memories that I could blog about from the day. Every couple we are photographers for and their memorable day’s are all so very different and it’s interesting in learning the couple’s inspiration behind the day, perhaps a favorite memory, or if they find they have any inspired advice to provide to other brides who are in their planning stages. Read on to learn what Nicole had to say in response…

 

The bride Nicole writes: “I am a very detail oriented and sentimental person. So that being said, almost everything in the wedding was custom designed. The fur wraps on the bridesmaids and flower girl were sewn for them from etsy, with their names inside. The bridesmaid necklaces were designed by me. Each girl had a unique vintage snowflake pin embedded and I used quartz in the necklace. My shoes were purchased online, but the beading was taken out and replaced with fox fur trim. I also used vintage snowflake clip earrings as shoe clips. I had always envisioned a Winter wedding since I was a little girl…something about the winter is just so romantic to me. That being said, my absolute dream was to have it snow during our first dance. Val and I worked with Jay (our dj & event/lighting) to make my dream a reality. I absolutely wanted to put together a wedding that I’d never seen and so I went to pull in my inspirations. I got to thinking and imagined what about winter I love and I wanted the atmosphere to have a “cool” affect with blue lighting but everything else white. My overall inspiration for the day was a combination of vintage ( feathers / crystals ) and modern ( lighting / design ). My favorite memory of the day was meeting Val at Union Station for our first glance. It allowed me time in the limo while Miller + Miller was setting up to take 5 min alone to soak in the day. It was also the only time Val and I really had alone so I enjoyed it!”

 

Val + Nicole, we had a wonderful time spending the big day with you and getting to know both over the past year. In seeing these photos, it makes us want to see snow falling outside the window right now. We enjoyed documenting your wintery white wedding’s details. From your vintage fashion and decadent cake and treats, to the flowers, stunning room and the decor, the entire event and your creativity was amazing. We wish the best to the both of you.”

 

 

 

 

Nicole and Val’s suburban and Chicago wedding vendors included:
Ceremony: St. Hyacinth Basilica Chicago church wedding ceremony , 3640 W. Wolfram, Chicago
Winter Reception: Venuti’s, Addison
Prep Locations: Parent’s homes in Roselle and Des Plaines
Dress Designer + Bridal Shop: Demitrios from Brides by Demitrios, Schaumburg
Bridal Shoes: White satin shoes purchased online but designed by Nicole with added embellishments of fox fur and vintage earrings
Hair by: Michael from Rockstar Salon, Roselle
Bridal Makeup by: Cynthia from Cynthia Sally
Vintage Birdcage Veil: Edward Berger Veil
Bridesmaids Shoes: The ladies selected their own heels
Bridesmaids Dress: Mackenzie Michaels
Tuxedos: GQ Formalwear Tux, Schaumburg
Limo Bus: Limo Envy
Menu: Guests on the night of had the choice of Ribeye, Chicken Breast Francese or Orange Roughy served with twice baked potato and asparagus
Cake + Sweets Table: Oak Mill Bakery
Flowers: Palomino Floral Designs, Schaumburg
DJ, Fabric, Lighting and First Dance Snowfall by: Jay of Something 2 Dance 2, Schaumburg
Hawaiian Honeymoon: Oahu, Waikiki Beach in Hawaii
Reception Photo Booth and Backdrop: Miller + Miller’s Rock the Drop photo booth ( contact us about this upgraded photo service we offer, your guest’s will love it )

 

 

Be sure to view our featured blog photos from our Summer session downtown with
Nicole + Valentine photographing them in our high-fashion Chicago engagement photography style.

 

 

 

Looking to reserve a limo for your wedding or bachelorette party? Check out Val’s family owned limousine company called Limo Envy. Limo Envy covers the Chicago area limousine market from the City of Chicago to the burbs. With a massive fleet of livery options, we recommend contacting them for both weddings and other events because they offer limos for as little as 6 and up to a 56 passengers. Visit Val’s company’s web site by clicking the preview images below, use this link www.limoenvy.com or call them at 773.357.5466.

 

“Victor + Blanca’s ceremony and reception were filled with pure elegance, romance and a touch of classic vintage. Their winter day’s elegant events started with a Catholic ceremony at St. Mary of the Angels Church in Chicago. The reception venue of Evanston Golf Club located in Skokie was a short drive from their downtown cathedral church ceremony location. With the cold and Wintery weather mix outside, we opted to head to the reception early for some indoor photos inside and around the couple’s reception and the private golf club venue. It was our first visit to Evanston Golf Club and we were impressed with the number of photo opportunities, exceptionally decorated and designed interior with grandeur, chandeliers, dark colors, golden hues, and multiple wood burning fireplaces. And the couple’s second floor rooms were decorated with a touch of B+V’s personal wedding style. Before heading to the club, while stopping at one outdoor picturesque Chicago shooting location, Victor did everything he could to keep his gorgeous new bride Blanca warm. We kept saying just imagine yourselves already on your honeymoon in the sun and on the beach in Mexico. In the end, heading inside although was necessary, but we soon found was also a great idea.

 

All the day’s touches, from the unbelievable detailed european style cake draping with lilic colored flowers, to Blanca’s understated elegance yet simplistic Spanish designer bridal gown from one of my personally favorite dress designers La Sposa, the day was distinctively a total reflection of Blanca’s style. With Victor’s love of classic and vintage vehicles, they booked a stunning, white 1939 Classic Packard stretch limousine getaway vehicle. The reception was a lively event not only for both the bride & groom, but also very entertaining for the guests. With two forms of live entertainment, a 12 person mariachi band playing during the cocktail and dinner, and Victor’s surprise to Blanca of folkloric dancers from Blanca’s families home town of Guadalajara in Mexico at the start of the dancing. ( The art and beauty of the Guadalajara folkloric dance was amazing. )

 

The reception also incorporated Spanish inspired wedding traditions and games, one called “La vibora de la mar” which is basically like London Bridge is falling down. For this game, it was mostly men versus the women, but everyone held hands and moved in a large ring around the groom and bride who stood on chairs in the middle of the dance floor creating an arch by Blanca’s veil under which everyone passed under. Instead of the London Bridge song being sung as the old saying goes, there is no song and instead the rhythm of music is followed and when the music gets faster and faster, the participants struggling to keep the “snake” of people around the room together, while running through tables, chairs and the couple. It was a truly a smiling event and amazing to witness. We loved it.

 

After the “vibora de la mar” there was one more game that followed at the party called “El Muertito” which basically translates to “The Dead Man”. That is when the groom’s friends strip him of his shoes, socks, sometimes his shirt, and carry him like he was dead. The guys tease and joke that since the groom is now married he is as good as dead. Actually, it is supposed to symbolize the death of the groom’s bachelorhood and the beginning of his new life as a lucky married man. :) The groomsmen propelled Victor in the air with some serious height, tossing of the groom.

 

Victor + Blanca we are very thankful in being there to capture the joy of the day and events. We enjoyed documenting the celebration that honored both of their families and heritage. We wish you luck and happiness together. Congrats!”

 

 

 

 

Blanca + Victor’s day incorporated this list of amazing Chicago and North Shore wedding vendors:
Church: St. Mary of the Angels Catholic Church, 1850 N Hermitage Avenue, Chicago
Reception: Evanston Golf Club in Skokie
Bridal Gown Collection: 2010 La Sposa Bridal Collection Barcelona, Spain
Bridal Shoes: Martinez Valero
Make-Up: Erika Gonzalez Giorgio Armani Beauty + Make Up
Hair Stylist: Octavio Trujillo from Estilo Salon
Suits: Calvin Klein
White Classic 1939 Packard Stretch Limousine: Cosmopolitan Limousine Service, Long Grove, IL
Cake: Oak Mill Bakery
Flowers: Bonnie Flower Shop
DJ: Frequency DJ Entertainment
Mexican Folk Dancers: Ballet Folklorico Revolucion – dancers and drummers – as a nod to the bride’s Guadalajara Heritage
Mariachi Band: Mariachi Oro y Plata
Honeymoon: Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita Mexico Resort in Riviera Maya

 

Revisit Blanca + Victor recent vintage car engagement and high-fashion engagement photography session’s blog post.