Victor + Kristin’s Ambassador Hotel + Chicago Cultural Center Wedding Photography
“Victor + Kristin’s chic and elegant wedding affair was all dressed up in an elegant city style. From a grand arrival in a 1954 classic wedding Bentley car touring the town, to private access to capture skyline photos op top of the PUBLIC Hotel rooftop, V+K’s spring wedding was a grand event we were honored to be selected to photograph.
When we first met with Victor and Kristin, we fell in love with their day’s plans to include exchanging wedding vows under the famous Tiffany Dome at the Chicago Cultural Center and photos at the PUBLIC Hotel, two of the city’s most fascinating historical and architectural landmarks. As these photos reveal from morning prep through evening festivities, it was clear that this classy couple was ready to make a little history of their own.
The day began at the Ambassador Chicago Hotel (formerly PUBLC Chicago Hotel) where the bride and groom prepared in individual suites decorated in a crisp, clean and simple white motif. As a premier Chicago Gold Coast establishment (it was adapted from the old Ambassador East Hotel and famous Pump Room Restaurant), the Ambassador Hotel spared no expense in its approach to ultra contemporary décor that carried from the lobby up to the open-air rooftop. After a reveal of the dazzling bride to the groom, the couple exchanged first looks of one another outside the State Street hotel neighborhood’s classic brownstone residences. It was up on the top of this classic landmark building’s rooftop that we captured some glamorous photos of Victor and Kristin, and their bridal party who were outfitted in blush pink bridesmaid dresses and classic black tuxes. With the dramatic Chicago city skyline behind them and the rest of their lives in front of them, it was as if they were on top of the world.
Our day lead us from one incredible venue to another. Upon leaving the Ambassador Chicago Hotel rooftop wedding photo session, we stopped next at the lakefront for bridal party photos in front of the skyline, followed by next a drive South to prepare for the couple’s elegant and sophisticated wedding ceremony at the Chicago Cultural Center’s Preston Bradley Hall. The Preston Bradley Hall Ballroom was personalized from floor to ceiling in a palette of the bride’s white, ivory, black and blush pink color theme, and delicate arrangements of French anemones hung from the aisle seating. A white organza-draped altar anchored the room in simplicity and femininity; a stark contrast to the stunning blue, green and gold Tiffany Dome that lie overhead. With all of this grandeur and grace, it’s no wonder that presidents, royalty, diplomats and community leaders are often welcomed in these palatial halls of the Chicago Cultural Center
At the close of the ceremony, the Preston Bradley Hall combined with the neighboring G.A.R. Rotunda room to host what would become a classic city reception mixed with a little of the groom’s Spanish heritage. From the cutting of the five-tier wedding cake to the couple’s first dance, every moment was enhanced by the Chicago Cultural Center’s overhead, stained glass dome and surrounding, extravagant gold adornments. It was an ultimate expression of modern romance that hasn’t forgotten its roots in old Chicago culture and history.”
Victor + Kristin’s day of details:
Wedding Colors: White, Ivory, Black, and Blush Pink
Theme: Chic Elegance, Modern Vintage Glamour, Spanish Romance
Venue: Chicago Cultural Center ceremony in the Preston Bradley Hall, cocktail reception in G.A.R. Rotunda + evening dinner, dancing reception in Preston Bradley Hall under the Tiffany dome
Hotel Prep Location: Ambassador Chicago Hotel (formerly PUBLC Chicago Hotel)
Suits: Men’s Warehouse
Bridal Dress Designer: Brides by Demetrios, Young Sophisticates Collection Style 2854
Dress Shop: Brides by Demetrios, Streets of Woodfield, Schaumburg
Veil: Cathedral length with rhinestone details by Brides by Demetrios
Bridal Shoes: Menbur “Rea” Shoe
Bride’s Jewelry: Swarovski
Hair: Korena Robinson from Sonia Roselli
Makeup: Sonia Roselli from Sonia Roselli Make Up Studio
Bridesmaids Shoes: Nude peep toe pumps selected by each bridesmaid
Bridesmaids Dress: Abby Bridal, sweetheart organza bridesmaid gowns in pearl pink
Ceremony / Cocktail Hour Musicians: Flamenco Guitarists Gypsy Influence, Alberto Álvarez and David Chiriboga
Caterer: Blue Plate
Menu: Hors d’oeuvres: Sope with Braised Chicken, Beef Carpaccio Bruschetta, Bacon Wrapped Date Stuffed with Chorizo, Sweet Corn Blini with Smoked Salmon, Mini Maryland Crab Cake, Moussaka Cup. First Course: Baby Arugula Salad with Avocado, Parmigiano Reggiano, Tomato Focaccia Croutons, Easter Egg Radish, Cherry Tomatoes, Lemon Vinaigrette. Entrée: Filet of Beef and Tilapia with Spring Garlic Marmalade or Phyllo Purse of Braised Artichokes, Wild Mushrooms, and Leeks.
Cake: Lovely A Bake Shop, 5-Tier French Anemone Red Velvet and Carrot Cake
Desserts: Hand dipped chocolate strawberries, chocolate dipped coconut macaroons, bite sized cheesecakes with chocolate petals, miniature cupcakes by Lovely A Bake Shop
Flowers: Natural Beauties Floral, romantically chic bouquets of white French anemones with black centers, white peonies, blush la perla roses, white tulips, white stock, blush astilbe, white hydrangeas, porcelina spray roses, and white ranunculus
Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas
Decor: BBJ Linen, Ivory lamour linens, black chiavari chairs, and champagne pink lamour napkins from
Guest Gifts: Hand painted, individually wrapped Handcock skyline sugar cookies Lovely A Bake Shop
DJ: Andrés Baños from Windy City Mix
First Dance Song: Stand by Me (Bachata) by Prince Royce
Transportation: 1954 Bentley R Type Sedan, Classic Wedding Car Chicago
Limo Bus: Limo Envy
Cinematographer: I Do Films
Victor and I are absolutely thrilled! We simply cannot thank you Sarah and Ryan enough! The photos came out beautifully! We are so honored that you guys are featuring our wedding day on your blog. Thanks again!
Thanks Kena! Yes I remember that day of E+J’s Chicago Ivy Room wedding! Well we do travel out of state occasionally? : ) Email me and LMK all the details.
You guys are awesome! I had a blast during Elisha and Justin’s wedding… I wish that you both shot here in Georgia :-(