[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]
Courtney and Brett’s wedding colors were a mix of bold black & white, multi-hued greens, with touches of subtle gold accents woven throughout.
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[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]
When Courtney and Brett first shared their overall design-aesthetic dream with us, their key words were “light & airy”. Coupled with their shared love for the city of Chicago, knowing it’s not ALWAYS the lightest or airiest (unlike Courtney’s native California), they adored the light that streamed in through the floor to ceiling window’s of Penthouse Hyde Park‘s panoramic windows. The venue’s one of a kind, uniquely patterned black and white tiled dance-floor was the grounding element to their classic, clean, and garden-inspired designs!
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[field title=”Proposal Story”][/field]
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[board_carousel title=”Getting Ready”]
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[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]
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[board_carousel title=”Flat Lays”]
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[board_carousel title=”First Look”]
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[section title=”The Fashion”]
[field title=”Wedding Gown”]
Courtney fell in love with a Rita Vinieris gown featuring a form-fitting plunge neck bodice that transitioned at the waist into hundreds of layers of tulle. It was a dream ballgown wedding dress but with a modern take! While dress shopping, she fell in love with two dresses and decided she’d buy the second for the reception, knowing all the layers of tulle were going to be quite heavy, and she’d be ready to shed some weight by dinner time! Her second dress, which she changed into at the end of cocktail hour, and surprised Brett with a second “first look” was a Valentini Spose curve-hugging silhouette covered in stunning lace floral applique. Attached to the waist was a gauzy half-skirt that she wore until just before their first dance.
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[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]Keeping things sleek and modern, Courtney’s three bridesmaids wore black silk dresses in different silhouettes.[/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”][/field]
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[board_carousel title=”Wedding Party”]
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[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]
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[board_carousel title=”Cocktail Hour”]
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[section title=”The Details”]
[field title=”Food & Drink”]
Paramount Events provided a well-rounded and delicious menu, beginning with passed hors d’oeuvres throughout cocktail hour. Guests nibbled on smoked salmon, black truffle risotto bites, elevated mini grilled cheese, and prosciutto-wrapped melon, complete with a balsamic glaze pipette to infuse into each bite. With produce procured straight from their own garden and greenhouse, Paramount focused on artisanal ingredients and straightforward flavors that played into the couple’s laid-back and “light & airy” vibe! Wood-grilled chicken breast, hanger steak, and herb ricotta gnocchi were the featured entrees that guests enjoyed. Specialty drinks dedicated to Courtney and Brett’s beloved pups, were enjoyed throughout the evening: Roxie on the Rocks, which was a gin-yuzu cocktail, and Milo’s Mai-Tai (Brett’s favorite drink).
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[field title=”Florals & Decor”]
Courtney and Brett’s florals were timeless yet designed in a re-imagined & modern way. Taking their love for all things black, white, and green – we honed in on rose varietals, snapdragon, hydrangea, lisianthus, and, of course, our hero flower – anemone’s, for their striking black center and delicate white outer petals. Courtney adored all types of Eucalyptus, so we brought in many varieties to their greenery, as well as variegated pittosporum, salal (lemon leaf), and Italian ruscus. We even tucked a sprig of fresh eucalyptus into each guest’s napkin for a soft accent against their black napkin knots. Their ceremony took place on Penthouse Hyde Park‘s sprawling rooftop, which features sweeping views of the Chicago Skyline and Lake Michigan. Flanked by a deconstructed floral arch bursting with lush florals and greenery, Courtney and Brett exchanged vows surrounded by their 50 nearest and dearest friends and family members for the most special and intimate ceremony. Courtney and Brett’s intimate guest count required us to be strategic of their floorplan, utilizing the ballroom space (just adjacent to their rooftop ceremony) intentionally while creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. With their sweetheart table (the backdrop of which was accented with their stunning floral arch we moved after their Ceremony), centered in the ballroom, we utilized four long rectangular tables to create a perimeter of the dance floor in the shape of a diamond, with round tables in each of the room’s four corners. Each rectangular table had a design featuring a modern matte black stand running horizontally across the length of the table with garden-inspired blooms woven throughout for a “growing upward” design. The round tables featured tall centerpieces designed on the same black matte stands (placed vertically on these tables), which were topped with cascading blooms and greenery. All tables featured a variety of candles in either modern glass or matte black vessels for the most romantic, candle-lit atmosphere.
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[field title=”Wedding Cake”]
Huge Donut Lovers Courtney and Brett ventured out to find the BEST donut in the City of Chicago during their many planning trips throughout the year leading up to the big day. The winner was DoRite Donuts and they honored the donut shop with a full wall of their donuts for guests to enjoy, along with a giant Donut ring that served as their wedding cake, complete with rainbow sprinkles and a cake topper!
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[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]
Courtney and Brett’s wedding was 100% destination. With no ties to Chicago, aside from falling in love with it the first time they traveled to the City for fun, they decided it was a perfect MidWest destination for their guests traveling in from all sides of the U.S. They truly created a weekend get-away and showed their guests why they fell in love with this City in the first place.
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[field title=”Special Detail #2″]
Because all guests were coming in from out of town, there was a large emphasis on Courtney and Brett’s welcome boxes handed out to guests at hotels once they arrived in Chicago for the weekend. Mapping out all of the different places their love story had taken them (from where they first met in Kentucky – Brett was Courtney’s personal trainer at a kick-boxing gym), to where they called home for much of their relationship (Georgia), to where they both are originally from (California and Indiana) – they included a keepsake item representing all of the states that they’ve called home. And, of course, included Chicago’s famous Garret’s Popcorn as a nod to the City they’d be getting married in!
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[field title=”Special Detail #3″]Courtney & Brett ended the night with a huge sparkler send-off back out on the rooftop of Penthouse Hyde Park. [/field]
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[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]
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[board_carousel title=”Reception”]
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Photography: Jenna Marie Photography | Cinematography: Old North Film Company | Event Design: Christine Janda Design And Events | Event Planning: Christine Janda Design And Events | Floral Design: Christine Janda Design And Events | Cake: DoRite Donuts | Catering: Paramount Events | DJ: The DJ Firm | Wedding Venue: Penthouse Hyde Park | Beauty: Bianca Sansosti Artistry | Day-Of Paper: LBrown Design & Paperie | Rentals: Tablescapes Event Rentals