We’ve got the prettiest and most classicly beautiful wedding to start your week off right! Say goodbye to any Monday morning blues while you gaze at all the gorgeous images by Kenny Kim Photography. This wedding, coordinated to a T by Clementine Custom Events, has me totally wanting a wedding do-over! Just look at the bride’s gorgeous gown! And those fluffy, pastel florals from Scarlet Petal are simply to die for. I don’t know about you, but I’ll be spending my morning taking in all these pretty, pretty images in the gallery…join me, won’t you?
Click here to see the entire gallery of images!
From the Bride…Aaron and I met in college at the University of Illinois. We got engaged in August of 2009 and decided to have a long engagement since he was living in Chicago and I was finishing up graduate school in North Carolina. Since we had spent the majority of our time after undergrad in Chicago, we decided that this would be where we would marry. We wanted an elegant and beautiful space to hold our intimate wedding and searched all over the city stumbling upon the gorgeous Rookery Building. The Rookery also happens to be only a few short blocks from where we live, so it really was perfect! I knew right away who to choose to do our photography. After we chose the venue, the only other decision we knew we were set on was our photographer. Kenny Kim has been a friend of ours for years and makes the most beautiful photos. He was the first vendor I booked – two years early!!
Being the homebody that I am, I decided to get ready at my apartment. Aaron and I opted to see each other before the ceremony so we could spend as much time as possible with our out-of-town guests. We had our “first look” at the gorgeous JW Marriott. It was really nice to share this moment together before the ceremony. We were both so nervous! One of the stops while driving around town taking photos was the LaSalle Street Bridge where a large group of kayakers yelled “congratulations!” in unison. We had so much fun and the photo session really helped take the edge off!
We chose to have both the ceremony and reception at the Rookery. Aaron’s childhood pastor came from Aaron’s hometown of Knoxville, Illinois to officiate our ceremony. I am Chinese so it was important to me to incorporate some of my heritage into our ceremony as well. We had a traditional tea ceremony that symbolized the union of our two families. As the caterers changed over the room from the ceremony to reception decor, the guests went to the second floor to enjoy a signature cocktail – pomegranate champagne cocktail and hors d’oeuvres. I wanted to tie in as many handmade elements as possible, as I enjoy being crafty. I taught myself calligraphy and addressed the invitations, made the escort cards and programs. We also had several small children at the reception so my mom and I put together little goodie buckets to keep them busy and happy. They were a hit!
Bridal Gown: Christos / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Wedding Photography: Kenny Kim Photography assisted by Collin Pierson Photography + Bob Davis / Wedding Coordination: Kelly Cavanaugh of Clementine Custom Events / Catering: Jewell Events Catering / Floral Design: Scarlet Petal / Wedding Cake: Take the Cake / Hair + Make-up: Jahnne Valez / Bridesmaid Dresses: Priscilla of Boston / Flower Girl Dresses: Rare Editions via Dillards / Groomsmen Attire: Men’s Wearhouse / Fabric Draping: Art of Imagination / Dance Lessons: Chicago Wedding Dance / Music: Style Matters + String Theory / Venue: The Rookery / Paper Suite: Magnificent Milestones