“We had the pleasure in spending the day and photographing Ross + Charmagne’s modern chicago wedding ceremony and reception at the contemporary Michigan Avenue Hard Rock Hotel Chicago. The day was a festive celebration and party celebrated in rock-in-roll style. Ross + Charmagne kept surprising us with more and more personalized details, which began at the start of the day and proceeded all the way to the end. Many brides say they feel their dress selection helps to define their wedding’s style. Charmagne’s dress was an absolutely stunning choice with beautiful layers of feminine organza, and an incredible petal embellishment along the length of the dress… just gorgeous. And Ross he was styled in all class, cool and ready to marry the love of his life. Yellow bold florals and the ladies wearing sapphire blue, floor length dresses tied the bridal party as a group altogether.

 

This was personally our first visit to The Hard Rock Hotel, and yes we loved it as much as Ross + Charmagne had described it to us upon our first meeting. The hotel resides in the iconic Carbide & Carbon building offering a few unique party spaces and Michigan Ave address where everyone including guests can enjoy it’s centralized right in heart of downtown Chicago location. The hotel, often frequented by musicians and celebrities, boasts a similar upbeat ambiance, buzz and a feeling that the paparazzi is peeking around the corner vibe, and features stylish music playing. A perfect modern venue to celebrate the vibrant city, while mixing in an upbeat cultural ambiance. Ross + Charmagne said they were instantly drawn to the venue too because of it’s musically inspired atmosphere and the interior’s decorated Art Deco aspects blended with contemporary style.

 

The ceremony proceeded in the Gibson Room which was a elegant space, flooded with an abundance of natural window light, tall bold yellow bouquets, live music harmonizing elegant sounds of a classic guitar and cello together, and smiles exchanged during personalized vows recited by the bride and groom. The lobby level hosts the Angels & Kings nightclub where they say “there’s no need to act like an angel to feel like rock and roll royalty”. We decided to go with the royalty theme while composing a few fashionable bridal party group photos. During the later evening festivities, guests enjoyed cocktails in style within a city view room featuring a terrace and balcony with views of Michigan Avenue. Later, events of dinner, dancing and fun were experienced in the hotel’s Fender Ballroom. Leaving not even the tiniest of stylistic details unplanned, Ross and Charmagne incorporated hundreds of personalized touches, including incorporating an urban + yellow + lovebird theme, handmade printed menus, signs, place cards and DIY items included placecard holders, photo sleeves, welcome bags, wedding favor boxes, and the couple’s birdcage card box.

 

Ross + Charmagne you are both as sweet, thoughtful and genuine as they come. Capturing the love between you two was super easy. Your choice of bright and cheery yellow color was a perfect fit for your amazing personalities. The wedding was a true reflection of you from head to toe. Nothing but best wishes to you as you start your futures together now as husband + wife. Hope you enjoy our preview of your day, within the photos above.”

 

 

 

Ross + Charmagne’s Planning Advice to Couples Who Are Engaged ♥ “Don’t be afraid to be creative and think outside the box!”

 

Theme: Lovebirds
Colors: Yellow and gray color combo
Modern Chicago Hotel Wedding Venue: Hard Rock Hotel Chicago, Event Services Manager Erica McMillen
Ceremony: Hard Rock’s Gibson Room
Reception: The Hard Rock Fender Ballroom
Cocktails: The Hamer Room with Outdoor Terrace Overlooking Michigan Avenue
Dress + Veil Shop: Mori Lee by Madeline Gardner from Here Comes The Bride
Bridal Shoes: Badgley Mischka
Bride’s Jewelry: Nordstrom Collection and Crislu
Wedding Rings: Gale Diamonds
Hair: Mario Tricoci Downtown Chicago
Makeup: Sephora at The Shops at North Bridge
Bridesmaids Dresses: Mori Lee
Tuxedos: Savvi Formalwear
Bridal Party Gifts: Coach and Kate Spade
Officiant: Bruce Otto from Spirited Weddings
Ceremony Musicians: Moeller Music
Sand Frame Set: Say Anything Design
Cake + Sweet Table: Luscious Layers Bakery
Love Angels Cake Topper: Kikuike Studio on Etsy
Flowers + Ceremony Decor: Kehoe Designs
DJ: Aris Enterprises
Linens: Chair Couture
Custom Invitations ( using Miller + Miller photos ): Keepsake Designs with DIY envelopes and inserts
Custom Ceremony Minibooks ( using Miller + Miller pictures ): Minted
Guest Book: Featured M+M engagement photos
Guest Favors: Frango Mint Chocolates
Honeymoon: Spain

“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. : )