Our Associate Clare Reflects on Katie & Blake’s Wedding
Katie and Blake enjoyed an intimate Chicago wedding at Spiaggia in June. The couple was surrounded by friends and family as they exchanged vows. The restaurant’s beautiful dining room was transformed for the ceremony. Then, the celebration continued with an elegant dinner.
Katie got ready at the Park Hyatt Hotel, a favorite place in the city. It is also special because Blake proposed to her at NoMI. She looked gorgeous in her strapless gown and cathedral length veil. Her bridesmaids were at her side in soft pink gowns. Blake was handsome in his custom tailored suit. And his groomsmen shined too.
An Intimate Ceremony
The couple did not want to see each other before the ceremony. They really wanted live fully in the moment when they met at the end of the aisle. The Chicago Diamond Trio set the mood for the ceremony and continued playing into the cocktail hour. I led the couple from the cocktail hour, to go on location for photos. I like these moments because it gives couples time on the wedding day for just the two of them.
As a Chicago Photographer, it was so fun to explore the city with the Bride and Groom. We photographed at some of their favorite locations. For instance, Olive Park with a beautiful angle of the city. And the Chicago River on Wabash is iconic too. The two were turning heads while we traveled around the city.
A Chicago Reception with a View
The main dining room was beautifully decorated with roses and orchids by FlowerLife. The decor had a contemporary flair to match the architecture of the space. The guests enjoyed the view of Lake Michigan. For a Chicago Wedding, Spiaggia does have wonderful a view to enjoy! Bravo’s Top Chef winner Joseph Flamm created a special menu for Katie and Blake’s wedding dinner. At the end of the evening, I was asked to photograph a group shot of all the guests, about 60 in attendance. This was very important to the Bride and Groom. Because Katie and Blake wanted to have a photo with the people that were there to witness their special day. I was more than happy to do it!
