“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.

 

“We had a wonderful time photographing Chip + Tina and documenting the two of them as they exchanged wedding vows. It was an amazing and memorable wedding day. Mother nature had her own plans for their atypical June wedding day. It was unfortunately record breaking hot and stormy with tornado warnings in the area on this Friday. None the less the celebration proceeded!

 

Chip + Tina's ceremony took place in a beautiful old Catholic church in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood ( walking distance from the Sox's Cellular Field ) called Nativity of Our Lord Parish. Unfortunately after a few extra hours in an unairconditioned trolley in bumper to bumper traffic ( and a few extra beers later ), Chip + TIna lost out on their original planned time for creative on location photos. : ( Yes the traffic, wind and stormy weather provided a serious detour in C+T’s plans, but their bridal party helped make the best of the stormy weather and kept Chip + Tina’s wedding day momentum going positive. ( We followed the trolley on the ride from Chicago to Addison. When the trolley pulled over half way through the detour for a quick break, everyone was so excited to see we had continued to follow the trolley through the storm … Snapping a few candid shots along the way, we captured a few fun ones such as of Tina outside of Taco Bell and the groom on the back of the trolley’s balcony. )

 

There is an old saying that rain on your wedding day is a lucky omen! Although rain is never ideal and for nearly three hours straight... whom else would a bride + groom want to spend time in a trolley with other than along side of their closest friends + family in the bridal party. When the trolley and many of the guest too finally arrived to Venuti’s Banquets & Ristorante in Addison, ( yes a little late at 7:30 ) everyone was anxious to get the reception party started. The room was amazing! With Tina’s interior decorating and knowledge in making a room look spectacular, she created an gorgeous reception room with dashes of pink, many details, candles, romance and elegance.

 

Chip + Tina, we wish you all the best! Your wedding day will be one Miller + Miller will definitely never forget. Congratulations hope you enjoyed your honeymoon in Hawaii and we'll talk to you soon."

 

 

 

Reception Venue + Catering: Venuti’s Banquets & Ristorante, Addison
Church: Nativity of Our Lord Parish, Chicago
Wedding Dress: White Satin Bridal, Plainfield
Videography: Azure IX Media
Bridesmaids Dresses: White Satin Bridal, Plainfield
Tuxedos: Modern Tuxedo
Hair: Salon Buzz, Chicago
Makeup: Ryan Jaeger, Chicago
Veil: White Satin Bridal, Plainfield
Day of Coordination: Missy Peterson
Reception Flowers: Instincts Design Studio, Elmhurst
Bridal Party Flowers: Fasan Florists, Chicago
Cake: Oak Mill Bakery, Niles
Honeymoon: Hawaii

 

Revisit our blog photos posting of Chip + Tina’s Chicago engagement photo session.