Elegant Chicago Wedding at the Chicago Cultural Center

I love Olivia Leigh. Seriously. She captures weddings in a way that tells the prettiest of stories, and I always want to reach through the screen and kiss her for it. This chic Chicago soiree is a wonderful example, because boy does it have a story to tell. With literary nods tucked throughout the floral-filled reception, it's all as gorgeous as it is meaningful, and you can see just what I mean here.
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From Olivia Leigh Photographie...Emily and Angelo are an elegant and intellectual couple that met at Northwestern University. They held a ceremony at the stunning Holy Family Church in Chicago where both families were close to the priest, making it a very warm and personal ceremony. Given their intellectual bent and Emily's passion for education (she works in education reform in Chicago), the Chicago Cultural Center was a natural choice for their reception, as the stunning building with Louis Tiffany domes is dedicated to arts, culture and learning, with many quotes about education and literature worked into the gorgeous tilework throughout the building. She also loves children and education in the city and we even did some photos outside at a popular water fountain in downtown Chicago as she really wanted a true local, urban, real feel for photos in addition to the beautiful and romantic locales!

Detail wise, this one was a stunner, with an enormous and lush bouquet which we often don't get in the city. The maids wore a dress of their choosing in pink, gold or blue. Table decor paid more nods to the literary bent with many different quotes about love from a variety of authors printed on one side of the menu cards along with, of course, the menu on the other side. It was so fun to walk around and read all the different quotes and it really lent a super personalized feel to the day! Card tables were done as library call number cards with ivy and greenery spilling out of card catalogs. Tables featured rustic summer blooms along with golden pears and candle light. Angelo is Italian and many of the guests were from Italy. Limoncello paid homage to his heritage with his dad giving a beautiful toast, and the backs of the bride and groom chairs reading Avere & Tenere (to have and to hold). All of this of course was beautifully accented by the amazing architectural gem that is the Cultural Center! Emily and Angelo did my favorite first dance EVER to Be My Baby by the Ronettes which was just so special in this space. Lastly, the invitations were AMAZING with vintage postcards of Chicago reproduced as Save the Dates and beautiful custom calligraphy by Jilly Ink & Sarah Drake Design pulling in their beautiful color scheme. It was just gorgeous!
Vendors
Photography: Olivia Leigh Photographie | Coordinator: Estera Events | Florist: Fleur | Wedding Gown: Jenny Packham | Cake: Dominos Pastries | Invitations: Sarah Drake Design | Ceremony Venue: Holy Family Church | Catering: Blue Plate | Calligraphy: Jilly Ink | Groom's Attire: Suit Supply | Officiant: Fr. John Belmonte | Venue: Chicago Cultural Center | Rentals: ReFind Joy | Music: Style Matters DJs