DIY Wedding at City View Loft in Chicago | Charlotte and Stephen
As a wedding photographer with a documentary approach, I try to be as much of a “fly on the wall” as possible, letting things unfold as they will. But when a bride’s veil tries to make a great escape over the edge of a breezy terrace during her first look, I’m ready and willing to make a quick save! What a classic Chicago moment for a classic Chicago wedding day! From the moment I met creative, determined Charlotte and outgoing, hilarious Stephen, I knew their wedding celebration would be as beautiful as it was fun. And I couldn’t have been more right! Take a look at their incredible City View Loft wedding day through my eyes.
But first, you know I can’t wait to tell you how they met!
Although they technically “met” thanks to a dating app, they first caught each other’s eyes in the University of Illinois dining hall. When Charlotte saw her cafeteria crush on a dating app, she immediately swiped right, and Stephen whisked her off on her last ever first date. After taking a honeymoon-worthy vacation to Mexico just a few months into dating, saying “I love you” on the ice rink in Chicago, and eventually moving in together, a romantic proposal at a pond sealed the deal.
I first met the couple at their South Pond Engagement Session, where we chased the sun around the whole session to get the perfect city light. No trees, buildings, or clouds can get between me and the perfect photo! And while we snapped photos, they told me about the celebration they envisioned: a “simple, timeless, and classic” wedding day that showcased how much they love living in Chicago. So, when it was time to go venue shopping, City View Loft fit like a glove!
As the sun rose on the big day, Stephen got ready in his apartment while Charlotte got dressed with her mom and sister in a room with a skyline view. Her gown from Reddington Bridal couldn’t have more perfectly matched the simple and classy vibe she’d expressed to me months before. And her timeless bouquet of white flowers from Primrose Chicago was the perfect match. After Blush and Braids Beauty Bar put the finishing touches on her hair and makeup, it was time for the first look! With the addition of her veil, which had been lovingly handmade by her aunt, she was ready to go see Stephen!
His reaction was the stuff brides’ dreams are made of, complete with tears of joy. Their photos were breathtaking, and the breeze only added to the magic. That is…until it betrayed us by trying to steal Charlotte’s handmade veil! As it flew toward a potential 44-story fall, I raced to rescue it just in time! We couldn’t stop laughing as we returned it to her hair, buuuut we decided to finish the photos out of the wind just in case.
We arrived in style for the pre-ceremony photos on a party bus provided by Limo-Tainment. At Milton Lee Olive Park, we checked pictures with family, the bridal party, and even the couple off the list. This way, the couple could enjoy the rest of their day without ever having to step away from the festivities for photos! Then, the celebration officially began!
Charlotte beautifully transformed the venue to fit her vision with flowers, greenery, and candles. Charlotte also designed the welcome sign, programs, menus, photo displays, and more! Her metaphorical fingerprints were on every piece of the day, making it even more special. So, I took extra care to document every tiny detail as we waited for the ceremony to begin. The couple chose to keep the ceremony brief in the spirit of classic simplicity. But they included an Irish Wedding Blessing and a Bread and Salt Blessing that made it unique to them. After their first kiss as newlyweds, I took Charlotte and Stephen out on the fire escape for a final set of portraits to really round out that city vibe they knew they wanted to bring into the day. Meanwhile, the guests enjoy “his” and “her” margaritas inside!
After a first dance to “Beyond” by Leon Bridges and the respective parent dances, the dance floor erupted! And when the glow sticks came out, I knew I needed to keep my finger on my camera button. To a soundtrack provided by the talented Cage and Aquarium, glows sticks became “swords” in dance floor battles, and ties were used for limbo! Because the couple chose to book all-day coverage, they didn’t have to worry I’d miss a single hilarious moment! The couple said they were most looking forward to the dance party on their wedding day, so I loved that I got to capture every special moment until they raced off into the night!
Congratulations, Charlotte and Stephen! I’m so glad I got to document your City View Loft wedding day, and I wish you a beautiful happily ever after. Are you getting married here? I would LOVE love love to chat! City View loft is beautiful, and I’d love to capture your day too!
Venue : City View Loft
Planner : Naturally Yours Events
MUAH : Blush and Braids Beauty Bar
Floral Design : Primrose Chicago
Bridal Boutique : Reddington Bridal
Wedding Party Attire : The Black Tux & Revelry
Ring Designer : Brilliant Earth
DJ : Cage + Aquarium
Catering : LM Catering
Rentals : The Crystal Bell Rentals
Bar : Binny's
Transportation : Limo-Tainment
It was incredible to spend time with Charlotte and Stephen during their amazing City View Loft wedding in Chicago. Check out a few more incredible Chicago weddings below!
xx,
Jennifer Lourie
