A Warm and Welcoming Wedding at Chicago’s Bridgeport Art Center

On a brisk and sunny fall day in late October, Sam and Kevin tied the knot in a heartfelt wedding ceremony surrounded by family and friends.

A bride and groom pose for a photo under the Tiffany dome of the Chicago Cultural Center

When the seasons star to turn in Chicago, there’s no better antidote to the chill than a beautiful wedding! Samantha & Kevin’s guests kept cozy with Hot Apple Cider Toddies, and of course a heartwarming celebration!

I first met the couple through Sara, Sam’s sister and Matron of Honor. It was such a gift to get to know the rest of their family during the planning process!

Take a look through their gorgeous day below!

The Wedding Prep

The bride's royal blue satin heels, with a rectangular rhinestone brooch on the toes

A flat-lay of the couple's floral invitation suite, surrounded by flowers and their wedding rings

Layla Eloa did an incredible job capturing photos of the day. The gallery she put together is so gorgeous, I’ve had such a hard time selecting only a handful to share here! For videography, we were so happy to be working with Julian and Slendy of 9two5 again. It was even more exciting as it was the first wedding they captured together after they got married the previous summer!

The bride poses in white satin pajamas with feather cuffs, alongside her her bridesmaids in burnt orange satin pajamas

We love the sweet photos we see of brides and their bridesmaids in PJs or robes, but should they be the only ones allowed to have matching outfit fun of wedding day? Kevin and his groomsmen certainly didn’t think so! The guys got ready for the day and ate breakfast clad in jaunty sweatsuits.

The bride's bouquet, featuring roses and other flowers in warm shades of cream and pink

The groom's boutonniere, featuring a white ranunculus and baby's breath flowers

Personal florals from InFlorEscence included flowers in warm neutrals and pinks, beautifully accenting the deeper cinnamon color used in elements throughout the day.

Bridal Party Photos at the Chicago Cultural Center

The bride and groom pose and kiss draped in her long veil, backlit by the large windows at the Chicago Cultural Center

The bride and groom pose draped in her long veil, backlit by the large windows at the Chicago Cultural Center

The bride and groom hold hands underneath a grand arch at the Chicago Cultural Center

The groom kisses the bride as they stand on the staircase at the Chicago Cultural Center

The bride and groom smile at each other as they pose underneath her long veil

Sam and Kevin wanted a place with architectural significance for their photos, so the bridal party headed to the Chicago Cultural Center. Though the Cultural Center hosts events of their own. we were so lucky that they weren’t booked that day, which meant we had access to the space for photos. The Cultural Center is over a hundred and twenty five years old, and houses the largest stained glass Tiffany dome. These beautiful details make the Cultural Center a stunning backdrop for photos!

The Ceremony

A tray of Hot Toddy drinks in glass mugs, topped with cinnamon sticks

The altar in BAC's Sculpture Garden, featuring brick walls, a high glass ceiling, rustic chandelier, and draping over the windows

Upon arriving at the Bridgeport Art Center, guests were welcomed with a delicious apple cider Hot Toddy station. The Sculpture Garden space at Bridgeport is stunningly beautiful, with a row of arched windows along one side, and intricate chandeliers hanging overhead. Art of Imagination elevated the space with long curtains that beautifully filtered the early evening light, and an elevated platform that truly set the stage for the ceremony.

I knew how gorgeous the Sculpture Garden was after seeing it on our tour, but I couldn’t have imagined how incredible it looks in photos too!

The bride and her father walk down the aisle, surrounded by standing guests on either side of the aisle

The bride and groom stand in front of the officiant during the ceremony

The ceremony was heartfelt and personal, officiated by Sam’s brother-in-law Christian. Sam and Kevin wrote the script for the ceremony themselves, and asked two loved ones to share reading.

The Reception

The long dance floor at the BAC, flanked by wooden pillars on both sides, and featuring string lights overhead

A floral arrangement featuring a dusty pink rose, and white flowers

Inside, florals in soft neutrals dotted the reception space, designed by InFlorEsence. Tall floating candles also topped the tables, and cast a cozy glow during dinner. Napkins sourced from BBJ La Tavola were a perfect match to the cinnamon hue seen in various decor elements and in the bridal party’s ensembles.

During cocktail hour, guests sipped on signature cocktails and snacked on tasty bites from Chic Chef catering. Sam and Kevin made their grand entrance to join their guests, and sliced into a petite white wedding cake from gluten-free bakery Defloured.

A hearty dinner from Chic Chef followed, punctuated by hilarious and heartwarming toasts from the best man, matron of honor, and mother of the bride. The bride and groom shared a lovely thank you toast to their guests, before sweeping onto the dance floor. Etta James provided a romantic soundtrack for their first dance with “A Sunday Kind of Love,” then the DJ got the party started with a little Beyonce!

Guests were on their feet all night grooving a fun mix of classics, and 2000s throwbacks. Sam and Kevin capped off the night with a private dance, celebrating the last few moments of their wedding day together as a couple.