Be-still my antique loving heart! This eclectic wedding was held at Salvage One, an antique and salvage store on the west side of Chicago and I’ve never in my life even thought about a wedding at an antique store but now I’m totally obsessed with the idea. It’s utterly brilliant! Olivia Leigh Photographie was on hand for the day to capture all the fun and pretty details including a traditional Brazilian square dance and a beautiful handmade piñata that guests got to take a swing at. Another totally brilliant idea. I could go on and on, but I’ll stop so you can gaze at the many gorgeous images waiting for you in the gallery.









Click here to see the entire gallery of images!
From Olivia Leigh Photographie…Keila and Dan are a truly amazing couple that both grew up in the Chicagoland area, met via online dating while they were both in grad school in the city, and then decided to move to Houston so Keila could pursue her career (pediatric cardiologist).
Both got ready at hotels on the north side, where friends and family enjoyed spending the morning reading their NY Times announcement (quite the coup for a Chicago couple, but so deserving for this incredible and self-made couple!). The ceremony was held at Bond Chapel at the University of Chicago, where Keila had studied. Not content with the usual set up of the church, they had the groomsmen turn around half of the pews so they could hold the ceremony in the round and have all their guests be able to see them. Keila is Mexican and Brazilian, and in honor of her heritage, Dan’s sister, a trained opera singer, sang the Brazilian standard Aguas do Marco for a portion of the processional. Other friends sang other processional songs, including Pride & Joy by Marvin Gaye, and then I Was Made to Love Her, by Stevie Wonder, for Keila’s entrance. Dan had known since they were engaged that he wanted Keila to walk down to that song, and it was truly a magical moment, filling the room with joy and laughter rather than just reverence.
After the ceremony, Keila and Dan were chauffeured around the city for photos by her uncle who owns an incredible vintage German car, which was so fun. Following the photos, we returned to their reception site, Salvage One, an antique and salvage store on the west side of Chicago. Here, guests sipped cocktails and Brazilian drinks amongst old doorknobs, street signs, and unique statues, and also ate fresh popcorn out of vintage-style popcorn boxes. The reception room was comprised of tables sourced from the store, creating a cool mismatched vintage look. Table assignments were on hand-lettered and typed signs strung by twine onto a mirror, named after their favourite coffee shops.
Guests moved out to the courtyard, where Keila’s uncle led all of the guests in a traditional Brazilian square dance. This was another unique and incredible moment, as pretty much no one had any idea what they were doing, but it completely broke the ice and was such a memorable part of the day. Upstairs, a lovely buffet was served and guests also partook in a Brazilian dessert table, filled with special sweets arranged by Keila’s aunts. Touching toasts were given on a stage, and before dancing occurred, a pinata that they had spent so long creating was hoisted to the ceiling, and guests were able to take a swing, based on how long they had been married. Another really unique and incredible moment! Such fun. After that, lovely parent dances took place, followed by Dan and Keila ”wowing” the crowd with an incredible swing dance for their first dance. It was truly such an incredible day!
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Wedding Photography: Olivia Leigh Photographie / Wedding Cinematography: Studio 272 / Ceremony: Bond Chapel at the University of Chicago / Reception: Salvage One / DJ: Toast & Jam / Catering: J&L Catering
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So colourful and inviting! I think it's the food that has me so excited. What are those gorgeous looking items in the first pic?
As soon as I saw the first picture I knew It was a brazilian wedding! We can not find these kinds of sweet paper in america. I loved it!
http://www.stylemepretty.com/gallery/photo/311493 <- What a lovely photo :)
It will be nice to look back on in a few years!
How lovely! I hope their marriage is filled with as many memories as there are in the antique shop.
What a great idea! I love antiques and this is the nicest store I've seen. I love the mix and match chairs at dinner. I would have loved to be a guest at this wedding. Did anyone try to buy anything during cocktail hour?!?
Who did your invites? So fun!
Thank you so much for featuring this wedding! This is one of my favourites of all time. So personal and meaningful in every possible way!
I've been to Salvage One and thought it would be an amazing place for a wedding! So fun to see one there. Just lovely!
Just though you should know the antique car is a 1951 Citroen Traction Avant....a FRENCH car.
Olivia's photos and everything she and her staff did for us during the wedding were beyond superb. I've never seen such a professional (and fun loving) group of people. Thanks Olivia. And of course the bride and groom weren't too shabby either - of course, I'm the groom's Mom and just a little bit prejudiced. It's a day that none of us who attended will ever forget. :)
I love the venue Salvage One and I love the bright colors used in the space. So pretty!
Those gorgeous looking items in the first pic? Rebeca is correct. That was one of the sections of the Brazilian style sweets table. Sweets are nestled in flower shaped paper cups designed in a array of bright colors (surrounding live blooming plants on main table). There were twelve different varieties of sweets with creamy tropical fruit fillings. More pics of full table can be seen in Sweet Creations by Gleydy on Facebook. It certainly was a wedding to always remember, in a very unique way, somethings old (classy Bond Chapel, antique store) but yet very new (stylish). A special wedding for a very special couple as Keila and Dan.
Olivia is not only a superb photographer but also so pleasant, she makes you feel as if the wedding was part of her family. Yes, this was a unique wedding. The bride and groom worked hard thinking of every detail and the talented friends and family played a pivotal part in it. Can't believe that the beautiful bouquets were arranged by Monica, Emily and Ivy, the bridesmaids, the wonderful car belongs to the uncle Assir, who also drove them, the church decoration made by Alix the bride's sister-in-law and Ann her mom, and the wonderful sweets were made by the aunt, Gleydy. Not only they were beautiful, but delicious! The music was super fun, starting with the wonderful Bossa Nova rendition from Kelli the groom's sister, accompanied by a friend on the guitar and the bride's brother Tarsis playing the percussion. A true labor of love! As Tonie above, I am just a little biased, as the mother of the bride!