Chicago Wedding at Sarabande & The Hoxton

May 12

Downtown Chicago Wedding at Sarabande & The Hoxton

Camille & Geoffrey said “I do” in downtown Chicago on the last Saturday of March, surrounded by their closest friends & family.

When I arrived at The Hoxton’s gorgeous apartment space, everyone was so relaxed. The ladies were enjoying a delicious brunch while finishing up their makeup with Camille’s infectious laugh reverberating through the space, while the guys were down the hall getting masterful ironing lessons from Geoffrey’s dad.

There was the sweetest stream of first looks between Camille & her loved ones. A casual, natural first look with her adorable parents, followed by her girls who kept doing 360 laps around her and the dress oooing and ahhhing. Maybe my favorite first look, behind hers with Geoffrey, was her own first look. Camille kept saying how beautiful she felt, and we were all there to confirm, yes sister, you are indeed beautiful and deserve to shout it from the rooftops.

C&G had a very intimate, private first look and vow reading. Keeping it private, I’ll say my favorite and most memorable part was the fact that they both included almost the exact same sentiment/wording of a phrase two different times throughout their vows. They had their own unique things to say about how much and why they loved the other, and it was so special hearing how in sync they were about their love and their promises to each other and their future. We wrapped up with some portraits in the gorgeous space and headed down to rejoin the rest of the group for more portraits around the Chicago riverwalk and bridges.

The ceremony and reception were held at Sarabande, a stunning new Chicago wedding venue located between Avondale and Roscoe Village. Following the ceremony and cocktail hour, guests were seated for a delicious dinner catered by Lula Cafe as they listened to funny and heartfelt speeches by a few of the VIPs. C&G closed out the speeches with a thank you and invited their guests over to the dance floor to watch their first dance as husband and wife. Camille shared a dance with her dad while Geoffrey danced with his mom, and then the four invited the rest of the guests to the dancelfloor, and within approximately 30 seconds the dance floor was as lively as can be and stayed that way. The highlight of the dancing was when Geoffrey’s dad started a lively rendition of “Rock the Boat” and many of the guests joined in, with the biggest smiles on their faces. This dance is a tradition in Geoffrey’s family, something they do at all the weddings. I love when couples incorporate fun family traditions throughout their day, and I think this one now ranks pretty high up there for the best traditions.

I will miss reliving this sweet, love-filled day and seeing these two wonderful humans’ faces on my editing screen.

Cheers to the newlyweds!

Their 5-star review: “Gretchen was the most amazing photographer we could have asked for. She truly feels like a friend along the way, she makes sure that she gets to know you and I felt so comfortable with her on our wedding day. Gretchen delivered our photos two weeks early AND delivered more than our contract even stated. These photos really captured our day in the best way, I love every single one of them. I would pick Gretchen every single time as my photographer, she is seriously the best. Our whole day went seamlessly, she helped pick out spots for all of our photos and made everyone so comfortable. I will be recommending her for eternity, I couldn't be more grateful that she captured our wedding.”

Creative Partner Team

Planning: Ohana Events @ohanaeventsic

Photography: Gretchen Wittry Photography @graphsbygretch

Florals: North Gate Floral @northgatefloral

Beauty: Lueur Beauti @lueurbeauti

Venue: Sarabande @sarabandechicago

Hotel/Getting Ready: The Hoxton, West Loop @thehoxtonhotel

Catering: Lula Cafe @lulacafe

Bride’s Dress: Jenny Yoo @jennyyoonyc

Bridesmaid Dresses: Park Fifth & Co @parkandfifthco

Groom’s Suit: Suit Supply @suitsupply

Bride’s Ring: June Rings @june.rings