Chic Downtown Chicago Micro Wedding | Madelyn + Paul | Elopement Wedding Photographer
Chic Downtown Chicago Micro Wedding | Madelyn + Paul | Elopement Wedding Photographer
Elopements at city hall are some of my favorite! And Madelyn and Paul truly did it right! They started the day getting ready with their favorite people, and then did their first look just outside of the Thompson Hotel in the center of downtown Chicago. They then hopped in a limo with some bubbly and headed off to the Chicago Cook County Marriage Court. After they went in with their marriage certificate in hand and their masks on their faces, they came out with their arms in the air and rejoicing as they just got married during this craziness of a year! They had their parents and siblings waiting just outside the courthouse doors to cheer them on right after they left the courthouse and to give them all of the hugs!
Then the newlyweds went for a limo ride through Chicago and we stopped by a few of their favorite neighborhoods and some beautiful streets downtown. We ended up in the fashion district of downtown and roamed around the streets by shops like Dior and Versace, before heading to Gibson’s Steakhouse, where their immediate families were waiting to celebrate and enjoy a meal with them upstairs in a private dining room. All in all, this was a simple day, filled with beautiful little details that all focused on the bride and groom! In the car ride they opened up a bag of gummy bears their friends gave them, popped champagne and took Fujifilm Instax photos to have little take aways straight away from their special day!
This day was such a memorable one, and not just because of the beautiful bride and groom and their amazingly city chic attire, but because they just did what they wanted! These two, just like many couples had another plan before this one, and when this year became what it became, they just had to figure it out. And in the end, when you want to get married, you just figure out a way to make it happen, even if that means just the two of you in your city at the courthouse, dressed in your best! Madelyn and Paul were so relaxed all day long and were truly just so happy to finally become husband and wife and to start their “forever” together. I loved being able to witness their joy on this day. From start to finish, there was just so much love, joy and laughter, and that, to me, is what makes a wedding day the most beautiful of all! x
Dress - Sarah Seven // Hotel - Thompson Hotel // Wedding Reception - Gibson’s Steakhouse // Wedding Ceremony - Chicago Cook County Marriage Court // Flowers - Bride’s Mother (She did amazing!)
Modern Wedding | Art Institute of Chicago | The Publican | Chicago Wedding Photographer
Modern Wedding | Art Institute of Chicago | The Publican | Chicago Wedding Photographer
Tim and Ivy are two of the loveliest humans I’ve had the pleasure of documenting. Their wedding day had so much personality in it. Ivy’s wedding dress was her mom’s vintage wedding gown, that she slightly customized to make it her own. They had their beautiful dog be a special part of the day by having him be their adorable “Ring Bear.” I love when couples include their animals, who are more like family, into their wedding day. They now live in New York City, but since Ivy grew up in Chicago, it held a special place in her heart. Also, the Art scene in Chicago is amazing. With The Art Institute of Chicago being one of their favorite museums and them both being Whitney museum members in NYC, it was an obvious choice for where they wanted the majority of their wedding portraits taken.
Ross and I started the morning documenting Tim and Ivy in their hotel suites overlooking the beautiful Chicago skyscrapers. We then walked down with them individually, to have them meet on a bridge overlooking the Chicago River, which weaves beautifully throughout the city scape. Even though they were in the middle of a bustling city, it still felt like they were the only ones around to each other. We walked down the river for a bit before hopping in a cab and heading to The Art Institute of Chicago. At the Art Institute, we walked by all of their favorite works to take portraits of them while they strolled and viewed the artwork together. From the Thorne Miniature Rooms by Mrs. James Ward Thorne, to the Marc Chagall Windows, to the Claude Monet Water Lilies and Stacks of Wheat, to the entire Modern Wing. It really was so special to wander around the museum with someone who values and appreciates art as much as I do. Side note, I’m a member at the Art Institute of Chicago and I can easily get lost in the works of art weekly. Artists of all methods and time periods inspire me so much.
Once we finished our stroll at the Art Institute of Chicago, we headed to Oak Park for their intimate wedding ceremony. The Ceremony took place in the beautiful cathedral of Grace Lutheran, where Ivy’s family attended growing up. They had their dog be the “ring bear” and he really was such a sweet touch. I love when couples want their animals, who are more like family, to be a special part of their wedding day. The ceremony was incredibly beautiful and serene, which was perfect way to honor the most important moments of the day.
When the ceremony ended we drove back to the West Loop to end the wedding day with a reception at The Publican. Of course, when you have a wedding reception at The Publican, your food is going to be the absolute best.. and theirs most definitely was! They rented out the entire restaurant, which made for an intimate evening of food, speeches, drinks and dancing! They moved the restaurant tables into beautiful long lines that surrounded a dance floor in the center of the room. Ivy had to ring their huge cowbell on the wall to announce to all of the guests that dinner was being served! All of the food was the top level from The Publican and it all came out family style for all of the guests to share. Family style servings really helps your guests to get to know each other and to speak to each other more. Truly a lovely way to make your wedding experience more intimate for your friends and family. They cut their cake, which had an adorable cut out of the two of them and their sweet dog sitting on the top of it! With an open bar, a dessert table and happy hearted guests, The Publican turned dark, and the DJ from Toast and Jam (Who I highly suggest for any wedding party!) led the night into a fun dance party! All in all, this was a truly beautiful day filled with family, friends and delicious food. Tim and Ivy, you both are amazing humans and I hope you’ve had the loveliest time together as Newlyweds!
At the end of this wedding day, I headed home after the last dance and was so filled with joy while looking out of my Uber as the Chicago skyline passed by, and just thought to myself “wow, I have the best job and the best couples.” I’m just truly so grateful for couples, like Tim and Ivy, who allow me the privilege of documenting and celebrating their love. It’s such an honor and always so memorable to me. Melody x
I love that in just a few miles from the heart of downtown Chicago, you can be in the quaint and beautiful neighborhood of Oak Park. Ivy grew up in this Church during her childhood years, so having her ceremony here was really meaningful to her. I love that even though Tim and Ivy’s portraits and and reception are in the urban city area of Chicago, that their ceremony could be in this intimate church setting in a quiet neighborhood. This is honestly what makes Chicago so unique and this couple so incredibly beautiful, to choose a meaningful place to start the rest of their lives together.
Wedding Portraits - Art Institute of Chicago | Wedding Dress - Vintage | Wedding Florist - InFlorEssence | Wedding Reception - The Publican Restaurant | Wedding Planner - Chicago Vintage Weddings | Ceremony - Grace Lutheran | Wedding Filmmaker - DeepEnd imagery | Hair - Paul Rehder Salon | Hotel - Virgin Hotels Chicago | DJ - Toast and Jam
If you’d like me to capture your wedding day or just want to chat with me to see how I can help you create something beautiful on your wedding day, reach out on my contact page below!
Ace Hotel + City View Loft | Chicago Wedding Photographer
Ace Hotel + City View Loft | Chicago Wedding Photographer
This beautiful wedding day started with getting ready in a beautiful suite at the Ace Hotel and ended with a modern, industrial wedding reception and dance party at City View Loft. Nicki and Ryan, along with their amazing bridal party, really made this day an incredibly memorable one! Every friend they had by their side was truly there for them throughout the day, and that was beautiful to see. One bridesmaid would be holding her daughter, the other would be fixing her hair, the other was holding her dress, and of course, someone was always making sure she had food and a drink in her hand! The bridal party had such a beautiful understanding of the blend of having the most fun while understanding the seriousness of how special this day was to Nicki and Ryan!
I always love showing up to get more “getting ready” moments than planned, because there is usually so much going on. The little moments of seeing what everyone is doing to help prep the bride for her special day, most times go unnoticed, but I try to document each person doing something that is helpful and a memory that the bride may have missed because of being in her hair and makeup seat already. It’s just beautiful to catch the details of the lodging alongside the candids of how the morning of a wedding day goes. So showing up at the Ace Hotel an hour early to capture those extra moments were worth it for me, and for the bride’s reaction to her photos as well! Before we headed to the ceremony, we did a walk around the Ace Hotel to take photos of the bridal party and we found the most epic street art under a bridge it was such a fun moment with every person laughing and enjoying themselves. There were even a few candids of people walking by who jumped in to be in the photos with them. The bridal party walk was definitely one of my favorite memories from this wedding day!
Nicki and Ryan had the most beautiful ceremony in a vaulted room inside of a restored factory, called City View Loft. It’s one of Chicago’s most lovely renovated wedding venues. It’s on the outskirts of downtown and have beautiful skyline views of downtown Chicago. City View Loft has one of the best catering teams, LM Catering, so you don’t have to search for caterers who know the space and beautiful food! Nicki and Ryan also had a taco buffet bar in the middle of their dance party, which was one of my personal favorite parts of the day! Everyone loves a bite to eat in the middle of dancing for hours… especially when dancing with a camera in hand! And of course, the DJ’s at Toast and Jam brought amazing tunes all night long! Overall, this day was filled with memorable moments that will last a lifetime and that is what every wedding day special. Those moments happen with your favorite people, and that will always be unique to you both!
Nicki and Ryan gave me this genuinely sweet review on Junebug Weddings, and I couldn’t be
more grateful to have been there to document and celebrate these two on their wedding day!
”I was lucky enough to have a friend refer me to Melody. I looked at her website ONCE, fell in love, and reached out immediately. Having young kids and living quite a way's away from the city, Melody was more accommodating, flexible, and understanding than she ever had to be. On our wedding day, Melody wasn't just a photographer. It honest to God felt like she was part of the wedding and part of the family, the way she helped organize events of the day and helped with the little important things. That alone makes you feel comfortable in front of her camera. I never truly understood how important finding the RIGHT photographer was until I laid eyes on my own wedding photos. I guess there just aren't the right words to describe how much I appreciate how perfect and beautiful they are. Every detail that I hoped to remember was caught. Every amazing move someone busted on the dance floor was captured. From the tiny details in the decor, to the food, flowers, guests, and everything in-between. When I look at my wedding photos from Melody, I relive one of the best and most important days of my life, vividly! I don’t want to sign off without giving mention to the second photographer Melody brought in for the day, Ross, who captured some amazing photos of the guys! Just goes to show she really knows what she's doing!
I wish I had more room! Trust Melody xo”
- Nicki + Ryan
Lodging - The Ace Hotel Chicago | Ceremony + Reception Venue - City View Loft | Wedding Florals - Flowers For Dreams | Wedding Dress - White Satin Bridal | Catering - LM Catering | DJ - Toast + Jam
If you’d like me to capture your wedding day or see if your wedding date is available,
fill out the form at the link below and I would love to
create something beautiful with you!
VARCA | A Bridal Atelier
Chicago Wedding Dress Designer | Varca Bridal | Chicago Wedding Photographer
Sarah Varca is the boss lady behind the Bridal Atelier, Varca Bridal! She designs all of her gowns in her Chicago studio, in Logan Square, providing dresses for “the woman on her own level'“ all over this lovely planet. Sarah Varca’s bubbly yet sassy spirit really comes out in all of her gorgeous gowns. If you want to have fun and be seen feeling your best, go set up a consultation for an original gown by Varca or visit one of her stockists around the world! If you are ever in Chicago trying on wedding dresses, you can try on her beautiful wedding gowns over at Honey Bridal!
The two Varca wedding dresses below are called “The Nikki”, where the lace neck and puffy sleeved cape is removable, and the “Arabella Gown”, the one with all of the fluffy layers and white leather! These are part of Varca’s latest collection and I’m just amazed at the detail that went into them!
I’m just so grateful to photograph entrepreneurs, like Varca Bridal, who are doing amazing things, and creating beautiful masterpieces by hand and businesses from the ground up. So enjoy these beautiful bridal looks below and be on the lookout for future features on creative entrepreneurs that I am inspired by, coming to my website soon!
If you are ever in need of someone to help you plan your Chicago wedding day, I will happily refer my favorite Chicago wedding planners in the city! Chicago has such a good range of wedding dress boutiques, but Varca Bridal is one of my favorite designers in Chicago, and you must look at her gowns at Honey Bridal while you are dress shopping! You won’t be disappointed! Varca Bridal also designs custom wedding gowns for anyone who has shopped around and hasn’t quite found what they are looking for! You can find the store stockists on Varca Bridal’s website to see where you can try on her fabulous wedding dresses! And if you need any other Chicago vendor referrals, from Chicago wedding florists to Chicago wedding venues to Chicago wedding videographers, I’m more than happy to send over my referral list! Cheers to wedding planning and the start of a beautiful new beginning with the one you love! And make sure to go visit Varca Bridal’s website above to browse her gorgeous wedding dresses!