My head is all a flutter at the moment because I just don’t know where to begin with seriously stylish New Year’s Eve affair captured by StudioThisIs and designed by Bliss Weddings and Events. There is just so much goodness! But I just have to say something about that gown – oh em gee. That Vera Wang gown is what my dreams are made of. And that reception design? No words. It’s just elegant perfection. It’s all just fairytale, and you can get lost in all the pretty in the full gallery of images!
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From StudioThisIs…Emma & Thomas met in college, there the groom was overseas on a golf scholarship. With his most charming English accent, Tom asked Emma for a proper date over tea… Emma swooned. The couple, although young recent grads, knew immediately that there was something incredibly special and unique about their easy relationship. They both found they had the same core values, enjoyed a healthy, active lifestyle, enjoyed shopping, fashion, and sports. Once the couple was officially engaged, they decided to plan their wedding to be a New Year’s Eve celebration so the Groom’s family could easily travel from his native Nottingham, England.
The couple hired Kara Superfine of Bliss Weddings & Events to coordinate and design the details from the beginning. Emma and Thomas had yet to attend many weddings and needed much help shaping their vision. Kara was inspired by their early ideas and had a blast presenting them with the ideas that would fit their festive, formal, wintery Chicago wedding. The wedding and ceremony were held at The Racquet Club of Chicago – an intimate and charm-laden setting that felt more like someone’s home rather than an impersonal ballroom.
Kara helped them decide on a color palette that was soft and romantic composed of creams, grays, and a subtle dusty pink color. Jesse Deckard of Event Creative helped bring the vision to life. With hundreds of candles – from the custom shelved backdrop that framed the couple during their I-Dos to the dozens of votive candles suspended overhead during dinner – the evening had a celebratory feeling. The intimate guest count of 100 allowed for an unexpected floor plan of two exaggerated, long feasting tables instead of standard round tables. Guests were encouraged to wander the room, taking in the details, to find their hand calligraphed menu card donning their seating assignments. The tables were adorned with flickering candelabras and varied vintage vessels hosting bundles of hydrangea, roses, phalaenopsis orchids and anemones. A decadent dessert table, designed by Kara, hosted sweet treats including cookies and cupcakes from Sweet Mandy B’s, petite fours, croquembouche and maracons from Vanille Patisserie and color coordinated candies presented in bowls and jars.
The couple celebrated to the sounds of Bill Pollack Orchestra, straight up to the New Year when gloved servers handed out flutes of champagne and customized wedding confetti packets and noise makers to celebrate the start of the couple’s new beginning together.
Wedding Photography + Videography: Jeremy Bustos, StudioThisIs / Wedding Consultant + Design: Kara Superfine, Bliss Weddings and Events / Venue + Catering: The Racquet Club of Chicago / Floral, Lighting + Decor: Jesse Deckard, Event Creative / Entertainment: Bill Pollack Orchestra / Cupcakes + Cookies: Sweet Mandy B’s / Croquembouche, Petite Fours, Macarons: Vanille Patisserie / Hot Dog Cart: Carts Chicago / Transportation: Chicago Motor Coach / Beauty: Beauty on Call / Linens: BBJ Linen + Tablescapes Ltd. / Wedding Dress: Vera Wang / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Paper Goods: Cheree Berry Paper