Sophisticated Black + White Wedding

We have the most beautiful, classic Chicago wedding to share today! Olivia and Jeff were married at the historical Rookery Building and its breathtaking interior was the inspiration for their elegant black, white, and gold color palette. Timeless glamour was the theme of the day, and Olivia is sophisticated and glamorous in a mermaid Vera Wang gown and Valentino heels, her maids chic in Jenny Yoo‘s Annabelle dress in black. Juliet Tan Floral Design accented the beauty of the ballroom with arrangements of white and ivory peonies, hydrangea and roses set atop sleek black linen. We love how classic meets modern in the pretty Amy Beck Cake Design cake and bold black envelopes with gold calligraphy from Chips and Salsa Designs. Each image from Tamara Gruner is picture-perfect!

Amanda and Mike’s big city Chicago wedding portrays a certain sweetness that is both charming and sophisticated! Following a traditional Catholic ceremony at St. Josaphat Parish, the couple and their friends and family headed to the gorgeous Chicago History Museum for a night of great food and dancing, thanks to Blue Plate catering and tunes from Matt Lewis and The Union. Amanda says she wouldn’t change a thing about the day, and we can see why! From the lovely ice blue bridesmaids dresses from Bella Bridesmaids to her own amazing Tara Keely gown, the attire was simple and elegant. Emilia Jane Photography captured beautiful images—we especially adore the iconic photos with the backdrop of the Chicago skyline! We love the mix of baby’s breath, peach roses, and white peonies in floral designs by Revel Décor, as well as the adorable confection by Amy Beck Cake Design—there’s so much to love, catch it all in the gallery!

Chicago’s University Club is one of the most spectacular settings in the city, and Adriana and Stephen’s wedding made its beauty shine even brighter. LK Events and Exquisite Designs worked with the couple to create a romantic and cozy ambiance in the stately ballroom. The majestic florals by Exquisite Designs featured roses, hydrangea, and peonies in a mix of low and high arrangements and a sea of candles – each tabletop its own work of art. Dramatic lighting by Frost accented the University Club’s incredible stained glass windows, and Adriana says “When we walked into the reception (to the song Pony by Ginuwine) you could smell the flowers and the sun was still streaming into the room showing off the stained glass.” From their sweet first look to the afterparty on the roof deck underneath the city lights, each unforgettable moment was captured beautifully by Amanda Megan Miller!

Above all else, there are three words to describe Alyssa and Scott’s wedding: classic New York. Their Saturday night, black-tie wedding at The Waldorf Astoria is quintessentially Manhattan, and their vision of an elegant and sophisticated black and white wedding came to life thanks to a dream team of vendors. Belle Fleur created an incredible rose, hydrangea, and orchid chuppah for the couple’s interfaith ceremony and a mix of dramatic arrangements for the ballroom reception. The Steve Delisi Band played a mix of top 40 hits, Nat King Cole, and wedding classics (hello Journey!). And the spectacular Lindsay Madden Photography captured every moment from a first look on Park Avenue (car free thanks to Alyssa’s befriending of police officers on hand post-UN summit) to the last dance and everything in between. We are smitten with Alyssa’s bridal style: her Badgley Mischka gown from Kleinfeld Bridal and Jimmy Choo Fearne sandals are befitting a princess. Each and every detail is perfection!

Elise and Michael’s wedding showcases the stunning city of Chicago almost as well as it illustrates their love for each other! An interfaith ceremony at Old St. Patrick’s Church brought together both families’ traditions, and their Chicago Cultural Center reception—planned and designed by Beth Bernstein of SQN Events—is the epitome of classic sophistication. The stunning Preston Bradley Hall, with its ornate dome and stately marbled walls, was the perfect backdrop for a reception featuring elegant calligraphy details, centerpieces of greenery, candles, and soft white blooms from Flora, and a rocking party set to the tunes of Matt Lewis and The Union. Each and every image from Olivia Leigh Photographie is perfection!

We just love the fun Old Florida-meets-glitz vibe of Emily and Kyle’s wedding. The gorgeous Bay Preserve at Osprey in Sarasota hosted the fabulous affair, where bright flowers by Elegant Designs Floral Art Studio were a bold contrast to black and white stripes and gold accents. Bridesmaids in black dresses from J.Crew continued the color scheme, while Emily’s Lazaro gown and veil were fairy tale perfect! We’re smitten with the elegant stationery with black and white details from Write-On Sarasota, which coordinated with the palette of the day, too. NK Productions ensured all the details came together for the look Emily and Kyle envisioned, right down to the light bulb place cards that reflected Kyle’s pro lighting business. Even the golden sunset and the gold-dusted cake from The Short Giraffe complemented the decor. All of these images from Justin Demutiis Photography are simply fabulous!

The romance and softness of Emily and David’s Long Island City wedding belies the chaos of Manhattan just across the river, and we love the juxtaposition of both worlds in these images from Lindsay Madden! Appropriately held at Water’s Edge, with a breathtaking view of the city beyond, Emily and David began their married life together beneath a custom chuppah from Olam Wedding Canopies. She wore a Nicole Miller veil and gown, first spotted by her mother in the window of a Philadelphia bridal salon. Pastel flowers punctuated the venue and bridal party, including Emily’s bouquet—a mix of ranunculus, patience garden roses, parrot tulips, and Juliette garden roses in cream, white, and soft green and peach wrapped in antique white lace and ribbon—all by Sweet & Flower. Amidst the pale color palette, olive bridesmaids dresses from Amsale are rich touch that reference the fall season. Elegant decor and sparkly mercury glass continue the beautiful setting at the reception. We cannot choose a favorite from these stunning details!

Brecklyn and Cameron’s wedding in Austin, Texas, is the epitome of elegance. With a classic color palette of white, black and gold, the couple and planner Caplan Miller Events orchestrated a beautiful ballroom fete inside the Four Seasons hotel, preceded by a simple and traditional ceremony at Central Christian Church. Breckyln’s lace gown is stunning, with a crystal and silk detail that cinches her waist. We love the white bouquets bridesmaids carried, as well as the towering candelabra arrangements inside the reception! We’re so glad Jennifer Lindberg Weddings shared this stunning wedding with us!

Marguerite and Nicholas had a quintessential Chicago wedding at the landmark Drake Hotel!  Their ceremony was held at the stunning St. Clement Church, the same place where both Maggie’s parents and grandparents were married. Phillip’s Flowers did a beautiful job blending classic and modern, mixing glittery floating candles with elegant white blooms such as ranunculus, orchids, hydrangea, roses, and calla lilies. Olivia Leigh did a fantastic job capturing this beautiful couple, their amazing venue and all the gorgeous details!

Rana and Andy’s Chicago wedding is classic and beautiful! The festivities began at the grand Holy Name Cathedral where the couple exchanged vows during a traditional Catholic ceremony. As guests made their way to Congress Plaza for the reception, the bridal party traveled to many of Chicago’s stunning vistas for portraits, including Olive Park, with its sweeping views of the skyline. The Gold Room at the Congress Plaza lives up to its name, and Anthony Gowder Designs created elegant decor befitting the gilded ballroom. Hydrangea and rose centerpieces paired with crisp white china and gold chiavari chairs for a crisp, sophisticated feel. After enjoying the decadent tiered confection from The Baking Institute, everyone danced the night away to tunes from Okyne Medialab. We’re head over heels for the stunning images from Artistrie Co.!

Rachel stood at the entrance to St. Pauls Chapel at Columbia University, took a deep breath, and interlocked arms with her mother. As the doors to the chapel opened and she walked down the aisle, pre-wedding craziness was replaced with pure and complete joy as Nicolas beamed from the altar. As Rachel recalls, “I’m certain that the way he looked at me is the way every bride hopes and dreams her future husband will look at her – as though he just won the jackpot.” The couple’s March wedding couldn’t have been more quintessentially New York City, complete with a vintage Checker cab! With the snowcapped branches of Central Park as the backdrop, The Central Park Boathouse set the stage for an exquisite event celebrating their union. Cress Floral Decorators created organic arrangements of roses, snapdragons, orchids, and stock in ivory and green, with a sea of candles to light up the winter’s evening and Spanish tile table numbers to honor Nic’s heritage. Rachel is an absolute vision in a structured Oscar de la Renta gown, and the pure joy that these two radiate is beautifully captured in the timeless images from Emilia Jane Photography!

I may be a bit biased, but Chicago’s skyline is absolute perfection. And it’s on full display in Sarah and Greg’s gorgeous May wedding at the Millennium Knickerbocker, planned by Lola Event Productions. Almost all of the couple’s guests traveled to Chicago for the wedding, so they wanted to plan an elegant urban wedding showing off the best the city had to offer! The Michigan Avenue hotel’s ornate Crystal Ballroom was home to both the elegant ceremony and the reception, which featured an array of classic floral arrangements by Exquisite Designs atop glitzy gold linens. Pretty pink napkins folded into bows dressed the hotel’s traditional art deco inspired china. We adore the traditional vibe of the long, stunning head table for the wedding party, which was awash in a sea of candles in front of dramatic ivory draping. Ending the evening? A delectable buffet of traditional Chicago treats, including deep dish pizza, mini hot dogs, and Italian beef sandwiches. This quintessential Chicago wedding is one of our favorites, and we love each beautiful image from Emilia Jane Photography!

Jordan and Joe’s Chicago wedding is all about classic, timeless glamour. After a ceremony in River North’s Holy Name Cathedral, the couple selected the venerable Millennium Knickerbocker for their reception—a venue with an old Chicago feel—and its stately ballroom with its gold gilded ceiling was the inspiration for their decor. Sarah from Vale of Enna worked magic in the ornate ballroom, creating romantic and lush centerpieces of candelabras, greenery, and white and ivory blooms. We simply adore this couple’s elegance and style, and the gorgeous images from Emilia Jane Photography!

Colleen and Mark’s Chicago wedding is indescribably elegant. At no time is the city more beautiful than in the summer, and the gorgeous day was a perfect complement to the gorgeous couple and their wedding party. Colleen is resplendent in a lace Ines Di Santo gown from Dimitras Bridal Couture, and her maids donned chic champagne Jenny Yoo Social Collection gowns. The extraordinary Preston Bradley room of the Chicago Cultural Center was the setting for their July nuptials, and the architectural gem’s Tiffany Dome was incorporated into the custom stationery by Magnificent Milestones. A mix of lush teacup florals and elegant garland-style centerpieces with a sea of candles by Exquisite Designs adorned the tables. The fabulous Lori Stephenson of LOLA Event Productions went above and beyond to both curate the details of the day and insure the event with off without a hitch, right down to duct taping the floor when the jubilant reception dancing literally cracked it open! We adore each of these soft and lovely images from Annie Parish Photography!

Ahh, the soft romance of Rachel and Andrew’s wedding is simply breathtaking! We’re loving the vintage feel of this Dearborn, Michigan, affair, starting with an outdoor ceremony and followed by an ethereal monochromatic reception at The Henry Ford that’s sprinkled with metallics and pinks for a fairytale feel. Rachel and Andrew opted for three ceremonies; a ketubah signing, then a small family ceremony held beneath an embroidered cloth chuppah, and finally a larger one that included a lush flower-covered chuppah. Classic, fluffy blooms from Bellisario Florist mark the elegance Rachel desired for the day; Dream Wedding & Event Planners helped to make each wish a reality. We adore Rachel’s unique headpiece and chunky pearl jewelry, a mix of modern and classic that work perfectly with her stunning gown! These lovely images from Blaine Siesser Photography make us wish we were there!

Despite having to move their Saturday Seaside nuptials to a Friday due to a threatening tropical storm–and pulled off with little stress, says the bride, thanks to Shelby Peaden Events–Blaire and Bill’s wedding day couldn’t have been more picture perfect! These breathtaking images from Dear Wesleyann have us swooning over every detail, from sky blue bridesmaids dress by LulaKate to the lacy and elegant Nicole Miller gown Blaire chose. Magnolia leaf wreaths embellish the pews at the chic Seaside Chapel, where the bright light mixed with the cool colors creates a sophisticated at-the-beach vibe. At the reception held on the Central Park lawn at Alys Beach, seagrass textures and white florals, blue candles, and a subtle ocean theme are stunning thanks to Events by Nouveau. We’re loving the gold accents, too, from Chiavari chairs and linens to the calligraphy invitation suite from Paper Affair to Blaire’s metallic Jimmy Choo heels!

We are just loving these images of Ashley and Michael’s New Orleans wedding! The historic feel of the city blended with modern touches and classic details is the perfect combination for a stunning affair! We’re amazed at the breathtaking architecture of St. Louis Cathedral, site of the ceremony, as well as the timeless setting of The Roosevelt New Orleans, where the reception was held. “I wanted a classic and romantic feel for the ceremony and reception,” says Ashley. “My vision was lots of creams and whites in the furniture and flowers with lots of candles and mirrored accents. Our florist, Bahara of Plants N’ Petals, did an absolutely amazing job bringing our vision to life!” Sophisticated black bridesmaids dresses from LulaKate are dramatic, especially beside Ashley’s dazzling Rivini gown with a dramatic scalloped skirt! We just can’t get enough of the bridal party’s amazing ensemble! We love the glam accents at the reception, too, from crystal candelabras to a swiss dot cake by The Roosevelt New Orleans and the bride and groom’s classic NOLA ending: a second line with umbrellas! Enjoy these gorgeous images from Greer G Photography!

Brooke and Russell’s lovely Nashville wedding is an elegant affair filled with classic touches that we adore! Brooke is flawless in a Monique Lhuillier gown from The Bride Room–we are swooning over the top lace piece that’s romantic and delicate, a perfect complement to Brooke’s filmy Toni Federici veil. Bridesmaids chose varying designs of a light taupe dress by Amsale, which are soft and pretty mixed in with garden details like the lush bouquets, hydrangea and magnolia wreaths, and floral hair wreaths from Branches. After a traditional ceremony at St. George’s Episcopal Church, the party continued at the vintage-style Union Station Hotel, where a lush floral garland ran the length of Brooke and Russell’s table. “The flowers were stunning! My favorite thing at the reception was the flower runner on the head table,” says Brooke. Sequin linens from La Tavola Fine Linen Rental and classic pieces like engraved silver vases and cafe string lights dotted the reception room, where the couple’s Dessert Designs cake was topped with more fresh flowers. One of our favorite details is the monogrammed logo by Allison R. Banks Designs on the couple’s stationery from Rock Paper Scissors. We adore every single detail captured by the fabulous Kristyn Hogan!

Speechless is the word to describe how we feel about Shannon and Matt’s stunning Chicago wedding! These images from Emilia Jane leave us breathless from beginning to end, starting with the strapless column gown from Manuel Mota for Pronovias that Shannon paired with a long, simple veil from Mira Couture and a headpiece she made herself from a Nadri necklace. Shannon’s modern princess look was topped off with gold platform Brian Atwood shoes. Soft peony and garden rose blooms in pink, peach, and cream by Vale of Enna Flowers created a romantic atmosphere. Custom sequin linens by Ryan Turner of Stemline Creative add a sophisticated shot of glamour, and the centerpiece of the setup–a tinsel chandelier by James McDermott–had the bride swooning most of all. “Everything dazzled all night as the light twinkled off of the tinsel and bounced on to the walls,” says Shannon. Changing out of her gown into a bespoke reception dress by Azeeza, Shannon joined Matt on the dance floor for a non-traditional first dance before cutting into their gold leaf-accented cake by Tipsycakes. We’re in total agreement with Shannon when asked what our favorite part of this beautiful wedding is: all the sparkle!

We love the pretty pastels woven throughout Su and Ray’s outdoor wedding at Promontory Point in Chicago’s Burnham Park. Lush bouquets of pink and cream ranunculus and peonies mixed with dusty miller by Vale of Enna are the perfect complement to romantic coral bridesmaids dresses by Jarlo. Su’s Vera Wang gown is hands-down one of our favorites ever, with a big structured bow taking the focal point of the gown’s front. To celebrate their heritage, Su and Ray incorporated a tea ceremony into the celebrations, and the red dress Su wore to cut the cake from Bridgeport Bakery is simply stunning! We are swooning over these beautiful images from Kina Wicks!