If you’re getting married in May, you don’t know what type of weather you will get in Chicago. Will it be freezing with a chance of snow? Or will it be a beautiful warm day with the smell of “Spring” in the air? Michelle and Tripp lucked out with the warmest day of the year for their May 5th wedding at the Chicago Illuminating Company. With weather in the high 70s, the happy couple got their wish granted – CIC (Chicago Illuminating Company) was able to remove the sides of tent for their ceremony and dinner service.

So lets start from the beginning of the day. Michelle and Tripp got ready at the Four Seasons hotel. They did not want to follow all the superstitions about seeing each other before the wedding. Michelle and Tripp snuck out of the hotel early in the morning to grab a cup o’ joe together. Then they went their separate ways, getting ready with their respective ladies and gentlemen.

Besides the secret coffee rendezvous, their “first time seeing each other” was at their first look in the hallway at the Four Seasons. A very private moment they shared with just each other and their photographers. Heading away from the typical traditions of a wedding, they wanted to simply hangout for a few hours with all of their best friends. They hopped across the street to take a few pictures with their wedding party, but there was no running around the city in all craziness to capture photos as a group. To be honest, I thought this was endearing. They were truly able to take in every moment of the afternoon on their wedding because it wasn’t all about the pictures.

After their afternoon of hanging out, relaxing and taking some pictures, Michelle and Tripp headed over to Chicago Illuminating Company to mentally prepare for the ceremony that was about to take place. We began lining up the bridal party outside of their colorful gates. This was my Cinderella moment as a wedding planner. Michelle and Tripp’s flower girls were like the little mice who played with Cinderella’s dress. They were just about the cutest little dress helpers I’ve ever seen.

Ceremony time! The sun was perfectly setting over the buildings in the background, talk about the perfect backdrop for a gorgeous ceremony. Right before Michelle walked down the aisle, we released their fur baby, Maeby, who ran right to Tripp at the end of the aisle. We LOVE when our clients get to share their special day with their puppies!

All the guests headed inside for cocktail hour. They had an oyster bar with a plethora of additional passed appetizers, provided by Boka Group. How could you resist any of their tasty selections?

After mingling with all of their loved ones, guests were invited back outside under the tent for dinner. All of the gorgeous centerpieces were flown in from their florist (Saipua) whom was also a dear friend.

We had to let the bride and groom take a peak before anyone else saw!

To finish off the evening, we designed a beautiful dessert display for the guests to enjoy while dancing. As the guests leave, Michelle and Tripp ordered in some of their favorite treats – brownies from Fat Which Bakery.

VENDOR LOVE:

Planner: Ohana Events
Venue: Chicago Illuminating Company
Photographer: Mike Davidson and Bellissima
Florist: Saipua
Caterer: Boka Group
Hair and Makeup: Elana Darrus
DJ: FIG Media
Lighting/Draping: Frost
Linen: BBJ
Hotel: Four Seasons 
Favors: Fat Which Bakery

–Ohana Events