You’d never know just by looking at the drop dead gorgeous images by Cristina G Photography that this wow of a wedding was planned and executed in just three short months! The fabulous Shannon Gail Weddings and Events seriously outdid themselves when planning this culturally beautiful mix of both Jewish and Korean traditions. We love each.and.every.single.inch of this stunner and there’s so much more to see right here in the full gallery!
From Shannon Gail Weddings and Events… Jennifer, Jason, and I had been working together since October 2011 on what was going to be a 14-month engagement ending in a glitzy, New Year’s Eve soiree! One day in March of 2012, they called, told me to sit down, and asked me if I could plan their wedding for June of the same year. My response was “Let’s do it!” With just three months until their wedding day, I knew there was no cutting corners. This wedding had to be every bit as fabulous as the couple. I immediately enlisted the help of the fabulous team at the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile and the iconic Grand Ballroom with its stunning six-ton crystal chandelier was set to host the couple’s evening ceremony and reception.
It was important to the couple that we found a way to incorporate the Korean and Jewish traditions of the bride and groom’s families. They also wanted to fuse the bride’s love for spring and nature with all of the tradition and grandeur of the Chicago hotel, while keeping a contemporary spin on things (the groom had two rules: the processional needed to walk down the aisle to Pearl Jam, and the guys were to have Chuck Taylors!). We put together our team as quickly as possible; chose a beautiful palette of colors you might find in a watercolor painting: pale yellow, peach, blush, green, blue and lavender; and began the process of layering detail upon detail to give us the perfect blend of styles.
The couple’s stationery was printed with gorgeous Korean bird paintings as envelope liners; each was adorned with a feather. Guests entered the ceremony from the second floor balcony, where they made their way down the stairs to their seats, looking down on a stunningly draped Chuppah and candlelit room. Jenn surprised everyone, even her groom, by making a quick change and walking down the aisle in a traditional, magenta Korean dress. The ladies wore floor-length, periwinkle gowns with effortless stone jewelry and monogrammed gold bracelets the bride found on Etsy. For the reception, we paired a very “hand-picked” floral look with rustic Nevada succulents and a contemporary double centerpiece style with mercury glass vases set atop beautiful chopin linens. Guests enjoyed a contemporary meal complete with late night mini prime rib tacos and some serious rock music (did we mention Pearl Jam?). The night was comfortable and intimate, with the right amount of tradition and plenty of contemporary touches, which truly reflected Jennifer and Jason’s personality and style as a couple.
Wedding Photography: Cristina G Photography / Wedding Venue: InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile in Chicago, Illinois / Event Styling + Coordination: Shannon Gail Weddings and Events / Floral Design: Avant Gardenia / Officiant: Rabbi Sternfield / Wedding Cake: Take the Cake / Wedding Invitations + Paper Products: Just Invite Me / Chuppah + Draping: StemLine Creative / Band: Underwater People / Wedding Dress: Sophia Dang via Vanessa’s Modern Bride / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Bill Levkoff via Crystal Bride / Groom’s Tuxedo: Joseph Abboud via Nordstrom / Groom’s Tie: Dolce & Gabbana / Groomsmen’s Tuxedos: Their Own / Men’s Shoes: Converse