Jamison + Jamie’s Chicago InterContinental Hotel Wedding Photography
“Jamison + Jamie’s day was filled with an abundance of love and romance. With an amazing couple, beautiful locations and great weather, it was our pleasure photographing this wedding. As the day went on, we noticed how everyone including the bridesmaids and groomsmen were being extra attentive to take photos. Soon we realized why… and that was because the bride Jamie was so psyched to work with us! Months prior to the big day, she was telling everyone she knew about her and Jamison’s Miller + Miller engagement photos and saying wonderful things about the pictures, our photo blog, and about us. So we’d like to personally thank you Jamie, your enthusiasm, and influence on others was obviously contagious. And your kind words are much appreciated!
Jamie had visions for a classic Chicago, city-style wedding celebration. With guests traveling from local suburbs and Jamie’s hometown of Wheaton, while others from further away states of Minnesota and Indiana, the convenience of nearby locations were important part of their planning. When Jamie + Jamison’s found what has been noted a “hidden jewel” concealed between various shops along Chestnut and Rush streets, St. James Chapel agreed is one of Chicago’s prettiest historic chapels for a Roman Catholic ceremony. Both great in it’s Gold Coast location and historical appeal, the chapel was a short trolley ride from our first stop along Michigan Avenue to Rush Street. The recently restored, the architectural French gothic style church and Caen stone chapel is undeniably one of the city’s most beautiful of historic church ceremony locations. Inspired by San Chapelle in Paris France, the intimate chapel setting, with rows after rows of pew seating, colorful stained glass windows, and stone sanctuary, painted a picturesque fairytale like location for Jamison + Jamie’s exchanging of vows.
When asking about their day, Jamie + Jamison say, “There were many favorite memories we will never forget from our day, but two specific memories stand out more than others. One memory we remember vividly was the first moment we saw on another for the first time, as Jamie was walking down the aisle with her father. For an entire year, we kept it a secret of how the other would look on the day of. Jamison did not share with Jamie what he was planning on wearing ( tuxedos, bow ties, etc. ) and Jamie kept the same secret not revealing with Jamison her bridal gown and all the bride’s accessories that went along with it. We both remember how handsome and beautiful each other looked at first sight.”
Out of 50+ reception venues Jamison + Jamie toured all while living in Indianapolis, Jamie said they were sold on The InterContinental Hotel. After visits to some modern venues in the Michigan Avenue and Riverfront areas, one being their rehearsal dinner space of Fulton’s on the River and neighboring venues of the Trump Hotel Chicago, ultimately the InterContinental hotel fit their vision. Jamie said: “Not only did we appreciate the history behind it and the striking architectural elements of the building, but every time we visited we were greeted with such hospitality.” The InterContinental Hotel first originated in 1928 as the Medinah Athletic Club and eventually became a hotel in 1944 operating for Sheraton and Radisson hotel chains. It became known as the InterContinental in 1988 and opened to the public in 1990. Today, the InterContinental Hotel offers more than it’s famous gold plated and historic Grand Ballroom. Each of the hotel’s four ballrooms and event spaces are equally, if not more stunning from one to the next. The Renaissance and King Arthur Court ballrooms are another couple favorite spaces with majestic backdrops, one-of-a-kind lavish chandeliers, ornate carved details, walls and windows featuring original stained glass, and rich dark colored wood beams, walls and ceilings, as the names imply the rooms have historical royalty and luxury qualities.
Another reason Jamison + Jamie loved the InterContinental was because of the hotel’s location. With a location right on Michigan Avenue, just minutes away and walking distance from great shopping, museums, restaurants, Lake Michigan, Navy Pier, the riverfront, and more, J+J loved the idea of guests being able to tour around Chicago’s main attractions in between the ceremony and reception and even into the next day if they wished. After touring the inside of the hotel and seeing the ballroom as a place to hold the reception, Jamie said “many other venue options afterward just could not compare. I was sold from the moment we walked into the Grand Ballroom. The Ballroom’s size was perfect for our number of guests and its balcony and chandelier added a bit of romance to room which made it unique from other venues.” As Jamie had dreamed, her and Jamison’s celebration unfolded as a series of unforgettable events. The evening even included one additional surprise for guests, Jamie’s personally choreographed a surprise dad and daughter dance, turning into a huge flash mob dance. “Our second favorite memory was when we performed a flash mob dance during the reception with our parents and entire bridal party. We had practiced this dance over and over for weeks, and it was so much fun to finally be able to surprise everyone with our moves to Black Eyed Peas’ “Dirty Bit”. Our parents and bridal party performed amazing! The excitement really set the tone for the rest of the night and it turned out to be an unforgettable time for all of our guests.”
What an amazing celebration! Congrats, keep in touch, and thanks for letting us be a part of your memories!”
Jamison + Jamie’s day consisted of these details and amazing vendors:
Theme: Classic + Formal Chicago City Wedding
Ceremony Venue: St. James Chapel located in the Archbishop Quigley Center, the former minor seminary of the Archdiocese of Chicago, 835 N. Rush Street
Priest: Father Robert Tuzik, Notre Dame De Chicago Parish
Reception Venue: Grand Ballroom of The InterContinental Hotel, 505 North Michigan Avenue
Catering Manager and Day of Coordinator: Chris Schmidt of The InterContinental Hotel
Planner: Missy Peterson of Bee Social Events, 630-484-7609
Sunday Brunch Venue: Grand Lux Café, 600 N. Michigan Ave
Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Fulton’s on the River, 315 N. LaSalle
Cake: Cake Chicago, formerly Take the Cake
Cake Filling: Banana cake, crème brulee and salty carmel filling, buttercreme icing served with swirled sauces and mint garnish
Flowers: All Flowers By Marisa, Wheaton
Invitations: Style on Budget, Naperville
DJ: Phil Szaflarski Manna Music
Video: Jeff Rovik Video Creations Wheaton
Glamour + Fashion Info:
Groom + Groomsmen: Vera Wang Tuxedos Men’s Wearhouse
Bridal Dress Designer: Ilissa
Veil + Dress Shop: Brides By Demetrios
Cobalt Blue Bridal Heels: Badgley Mischka
Bride’s Jewelry & Accessories: The Left Bank ( gift from mother of the bride )
Bands + Rings: Distinctive Diamonds
Hair: Charles Ifergan, 106 East Oak Street
Makeup: Charles Ifergan ( air brush services)
Silver Bridesmaids Heels: each girl choose her own designer
Magenta Bridesmaid Dresses: Impression magenta dresses from Nancy’s Bridal Boutique
Garter: Camouflage Garter ( representing Jamison’s love for hunting ) from Alfred Angelo
Gifts + Decor:
Chicago Themed Table Numbers and Place Cards: Style on Budget
Blue Reception Up Lighting: Manna Music
Groomsmen Gifts: Groomsmen personalized man cave signs
Bridesmaids Gift Jewelry: Matching earrings, necklaces and wristlets from Charming Charlie
Groom’s Gift: Oakley polarized sunglasses for the honeymoon
Bride’s Gift: Dog tag with the name Josie engraved ( future labrador retriever puppy )
Reception Favors: Garrett’s Popcorn individual customized take home bags
Guestbook: Custom wine bottles for guests to leave messages from Etsy ( on each milestone anniversary J+J will be able enjoy a new bottle of wine and read guest’s well wishes )
First Dance Song: “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz
Honeymoon: Riviera Maya, Mexico, Secrets Maroma Resort and Spa