As a wedding planner in Chicago and beyond, we absolutely love transforming a private residence into a wedding venue. Nothing is more personal! That said, there are always SO MANY details to consider and every project comes with its own challenges. We love to take these challenges and turn them into unique event features! When we were planning with Alexa and Nick, they wanted to turn EVERYTHING about a traditional wedding on its head! Minimal flowers, no sit-down ceremony or dinner, and enough surprises to keep guests guessing “What’s next?!” from the moment they arrived into the wee hours of the night.
Guests arrived at the celebration in their “barefoot black and white” attire to welcome cocktails with tons of flair and a flowering bouquet of crudité that looked almost too beautiful to eat. Instead of a traditional menu or ceremony program, Steracle Press created a “scavenger hunt” style map that listed all the different stations and activities that would pop up all over the property throughout the night. We didn’t want anyone to miss any of the special surprises and this printed element was not only chic but incredibly useful!
Following cocktail hour, guests moved to the back of the property where a ceremony overlooking Lake Michigan made for the most perfect backdrop for the couple’s personalized vows. The ceremony was brief, but a whimsical combo of fun and heartfelt. At the end of the ceremony, the Lakeshore Encores started playing above the crowd and guests moved immediately up to a gorgeous clear Blue Peak Tent decorated with modern and unique elements by Yanni Design Studio that was built over the pool and instantly got the partygoers dancing. As the evening progressed from day to night, the décor featured different types of illumination that not only brightened the grounds for guest safety but added a fun surprise to the ambiance of the celebration.
Food was the real star of this show. Alexa and Nick are passionate about coffee, food and family, and Gibson’s Catering, Blufish, Conscious Cup Coffee Roasters, and Dipsy Desserts made sure each of the 7 food stations and all the passed food provided amazing options that guests could enjoy through the evening. Then there was the candy ROOM. Yes. An entire room of candy and favors hand-created by the mother of the bride and bride that was TRULY spectacular. To say that the TLC that went into this project showcased the love and affection the hosts felt for their guests is an understatement! When the band finished in the main tent, guests were invited to a 2nd tent for the after party. US Casino Rentals provided gaming (and of course, there were personalized prizes) and DJ Victor’s turntables spun far into the evening while guests danced the rest of the night away under multiple spinning disco balls.
Vendor Team
- Planning: LOLA Event Productions: Lavish LOLA Planning Package
- Photography: Studio This Is
- Film: Highway 61 Films
- Tenting and Restrooms: Blue Peak Tents
- Hair: Blow Dry Boutique Winnetka
- Makeup: Beautoria
- Décor: Yanni Design Studio
- Catering: Gibsons Restaurant Group
- Valet: VIP Valet
- Band: Lakeshore Encores
- Sushi: Blufish Sushi Bistro
- Coffee: Conscious Cup Coffee Roasters
- Ice Cream: Dipsy Desserts
- Stationery: Steracle Press
- Gaming: US Casino Rentals
- DJ: Victor Muntean
