Sarah & Jeff, Art Institute of Chicago – Modern Wing

Some couples have many celebrations around their wedding day and that was how I came to meet Sarah & Jeff. They had decided to have a small ceremony in Napa in May, a Chicago reception in June, and a Michigan reception in July. I was lucky enough to work with them for their Chicago reception with family and friends at the Art Institute of Chicago – Modern Wing.

Sarah and Jeff had a weekend celebration in Chicago with a rehearsal dinner at Carnivale on a Friday night. Guests were treated to appetizers like Shrimp Ceviche and Veal Empanada and entrees like Arrachera and Paella. Shutterbooth was also on hand to capture the festivity of the evening!

The next day found Sarah and Jeff having a relaxing day together and Sarah having Pin Me Up Chicago treat her to hair and make-up appointments at her home. We met the beaming couple that afternoon at the Art Institute of Chicago – Modern Wing and Rebecca from Rebecca Marie Photography & Design whisked them away for photos together and with their families.

That evening, we gathered the couple and their guests back up in Bluhm Terrace for Cocktail Hour. Guests were greeted with passed appetizers of Cantonese Spring Rolls and Coriander Grass-Fed Beef Tenderloins under a canopy of red Chinese Lanterns and a beautiful Chicago evening. As they made their way into Terzo Piano, guests picked up their escort cards which featured Chinese Red, the Double Happiness symbol and beautiful calligraphy from Stacey Shapiro. Incorporating elements of Chinese culture into their wedding day was important to Sarah and Jeff, as they met in Shanghai when both of them were working there.

Alexandra from Exquisite Designs provided a clean and modern décor that featured mixed collections of white tulips, white hydrangeas, white roses, white lilies and white spray roses in clear glass square vases lined with black ti leaves. For some contrast in the room, the round dinner tables featured a tall arrangement of open cut white calla lilies in a clear glass tall cylinder vase. With a couple of speeches to kick off the night, guests enjoyed an amazing dinner from Bon Appetit with monogrammed Petit Fours for dessert and DJ Rob spinning the 1’s and 2’s. Congratulations to a spectacular couple, Sarah & Jeff!

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