As a wedding planner in Chicago, I absolutely LOVE it when my clients are willing to take a chance on an unorthodox idea for their celebration. From the moment I laid eyes on Rockwell on the River when it opened, I’ve been pitching the idea of a pre-ceremony cocktail cruise from downtown up to the venue’s boat docks as a unique guest experience that is truly Chicago through and through. Christina and Sean had a guest list almost exclusively comprised of out-of-town guests that were staying at our downtown hotel home base, so this idea struck a chord with the couple as a way to show off Chicago, and guests were beyond excited to participate!
Because a wedding invitation is usually created for the CEREMONY and states something on the variation of “reception to follow,” we wanted to make sure there was no confusion that this party got started even BEFORE the nuptials. We used this information delivery challenge to inspire creative design with Steracle Press, and the wedding invitation folded out from the more traditional ceremony invitation format into a trifold that included a map and invitation to our pre-ceremony cocktail hour.
Guests arrived at Rockwell on the River’s dock via a private Wendella charter and were led up to the ceremony space by the bride, groom and wedding party. While guests were being seated, our wedding party snuck inside for a quick refresh and then we rolled right into the ceremony! Vows were exchanged to the music of Innocenti Strings as the sun set over the riverbanks of the Chicago River, and then guests entered the gorgeous loft-style venue made even more lovely by EV Design Collective for dinner by Entertaining Company a Vista Booth Chicago glam booth and dancing with Elegant Sound and Lighting. We ended the evening in true Irish style by having a sing-along to “The Parting Glass” for which the lyrics were printed on the backs of the menu cards for anyone that didn’t know them by heart.
Vendor Team
- LOLA Event Productions: Lavish LOLA Planning Package
- Pre-Ceremony Boat Cruise: Wendella Boats
- Venue: Rockwell on the River
- Photography: The Artists’ Collective
- Film: Highway 61 Films
- Décor & Lighting: EV Design Collective
- Ceremony Music: Innocenti Strings
- DJ: Elegant Sound & Lighting
- Catering: Entertaining Company
- Photo Booth: Vista Booth Chicago
- Hair & Makeup: Rare Bird Beauties
- Stationery: Steracle Press
- Wedding Prep: Renaissance Chicago Downtown
- End of Evening Transportation: Windy City Limousine
- Bride’s Gown: Pronovias
- Groom’s Suit: Suit Supply
