New Year’s Eve. One of my favorite days of the year. It’s fun, fabulous and, if you ask me, the perfect way to celebrate a wedding. Which is why I may or may not have let out a little squeal of delight when I laid my eyes on this stunning Chicago History Museum affair. (Truth: I totally did.) Because not only is this wedding a fun-filled January 31st celebration, it’s a serious lesson in all-out glamour and sophistication, with some elegance 101 thrown in for good measure. See it in amazing images captured by Gerber + Scarpelli Photography right here.
From Gerber… It all started when Griffin surprised Lauren by showing up at her parent’s house Christmas evening to pop the question. Once she said yes, they decided on a New Year’s Eve wedding. Their next year included planning, lots of crafts, and the incorporation of countless personal details into their big day. Both Lauren and Griffin were raised in the midwest, but now live in Austin Texas. They wanted their wedding to be a mix of Texas, where they met and fell in love, and their Yankee upbringing. With a ton of glam thrown in for good measure.
Lauren and her bridesmaids got ready at downtown Chicago’s Waldorf Astoria. While there, she gave her groom a special gift: a leather bound book called “Letters to Lauren.” She had saved all the love notes Griffin had ever wrote her and turned them into a beautiful keepsake. After getting ready, the bridesmaids put on their custom faux-fur shawls (gifts from the bride) for some photos outside before making their way to the Chicago History Museum for the ceremony and reception.
The ceremony and reception were executed beautifully; Darcey Gerber’s planning and all the DIY elements made it a fantastic affair. The bride and her artistic mother handmade the glitter animal escort card holders, all the table numbers, the stars down the aisle, the tassels on the bars, the tassels around the cake, the head table display, and the backdrop for the photo booth. Whew! The reception seating was both communal and intimate, with a mix of harvest tables and rounds.
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Wedding Photography: Gerber + Scarpelli Photography | Getting Ready Venue: Waldorf Astoria in Chicago, Illinois | Wedding Venue: Chicago History Museum in Chicago, Illinois | Wedding Planner: Darcey Gerber of Big City Bride | Officiant: Christine Chakoian | Floral Design: Artquest Ltd | Catering: Devon Brennan from Blue Plate Catering | Wedding Cake: Bittersweet Bakery | String Musicians: Artistrings | DJ: Roberto Monastero from Monastero Entertainment | Bridal Party Transportation: Flying Lady Limousine | Minicoach: Chicago Minibus Travel | Wedding Dress: Anne Barge | Bridesmaids’ Attire: Bill Levkoff | Hair: The Salon | Makeup: Blush by Jen