Fall Wedding at Columbus Park Refectory | Molly + Dave
Columbus Park Refectory / Chicago, Illinois
Molly and Dave planned an amazing day full of laid back fun with family and friends. The day began with getting ready with friends and a beautiful private first-look overlooking the city. After a stop at the Board of Trade for a few photos we headed to the Columbus Park Refectory.
Wedding Ceremony Drenched in Sunset
As the sun started to set and emit its warm glow across the building, the bagpipes began to play. There was not a dry eye between the beautiful pillars while Molly and Dave exchanged vows. The couple was married by a close relative who brought a level of intimacy to the ceremony. After they said “I do” they were led back down the isl once again to the sound of the bagpipes.
Cocktail Hour and Reception
Cocktail hour was a joy to witness as Molly and Dave hugged their way through the back patio balcony of guests. Live music played as guests enjoyed cocktails and passed hors d'oeuvres. The weather was absolute perfection as the sun set and guests found their way to their seats. After a round of beautiful speeches and dances it was time to get the party started. The dance floor was kicked off my Molly and Dave’s first dance as a married couple. The band played into the night and the guests were even serenaded by Molly’s Uncle who sang Frank Sinatra. As the dance floor heated up, Molly disappeared and re-emerged in a short cocktail dress so she could dance the night away.
Vendors
Wedding Venue - Columbus Park Refectory
Planning - Burst Event Co
Flowers - Flowers for Dreams
Dress - Lhihi Hod
Wedding at the Bottom Lounge in Chicago, IL | Allison + Adam
Bottom Lounge / Chicago, IL
If I had to pick a wedding that really captured the essence of Chicago, Allison and Adam’s wedding at the Bottom Lounge would easily be one of my top picks! From the stellar portraits taking advantage of some of Chicago's classic architecture, to their venue in the iconic West Loop, there’s so much to love about this wedding day. I can’t wait to share with you the story of their day, but first are some truly kind words from Allison!
“From the moment we met her, we knew we had found the perfect wedding photographer. Sara's calm and friendly nature immediately put us at ease, and we felt like we had known her for years. On the day of the wedding, she was ever-present, but never intrusive….We love how her photos are both timeless and unique, and really reflect our personalities and style. We were referred to Sara by other well-respected photographers in the industry, and it's easy to see why. She is incredibly talented, professional, and passionate about her work. We are so grateful to have had her as our photographer and will treasure the beautiful images she captured for the rest of our lives.”
Getting Ready and Portraits in Chicago
To kick off their wedding day Allison + Adam both got ready at an Airbnb in Chicago with the company of their loved ones. The two were careful not to cross paths though as they wanted to have their first look on the roof of the Airbnb. The Windy City really lived up to its name for the first look, but that didn’t stop Allison + Adam from having an amazing moment for just the two of them! They were able to read private letters they had written for one another which was such an emotional moment to start the day on.
Outside of the wind, the weather was perfect for their day. It was so nice out that we decided to walk around for some photos in downtown Chicago. Even with full sun, we were able to use the buildings of the city to create some pockets of perfect lighting! Finally it was time to make our way to the Bottom Lounge for some final outdoor portraits before their wedding ceremony began.
Their Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Hour at the Bottom Lounge
While the Bottom Lounge may be known mostly as a music venue in Chicago, the space is actually massively underrated as a wedding venue! Part of that is thanks to the Lounge’s upstairs level, which Allison + Adam rented out for their wedding day. The natural lighting and classic brick walls work to create a space perfect for any style of wedding. This space works for both ceremonies and receptions as you’ll see from Allison + Adam’s wedding day. For their ceremony, these two made it a priority to add some personal touches into the day. Adam’s father was their officiant which was incredibly sweet, and they even had some close friends of theirs sing for the ceremony as well.
Immediately after their ceremony was their cocktail hour which took place on the connected back balcony of the Bottom Lounge, yet another reason to love this space as a venue! The back deck gave Allison + Adam a chance to enjoy some time with their guests while the indoor space was converted for their reception. The view here was beautiful, and with the perfect weather we lucked out as everyone was having the best time before the party really started.
Dancing the Night Away at Their Reception
The indoor space of the Bottom Lounge had a completely different feel to it in the afternoon, partly due to the reception set up and partly due to the sun setting. It made Allison + Adam’s reception feel so intimate and personal, yet they had ALL of their favorite humans there celebrating with them! The dance floor was consistently packed throughout the entire evening which was so fun. Allison even had an epic dress change later on in the evening, and as if the two didn’t already have enough to celebrate it was also Allison’s birthday weekend! Everyone was able to sing to her to celebrate, really just one of many highlights from their night that I cannot get over!
I’m still in awe over Allison + Adam’s wedding at the Bottom Lounge in Chicago! I had such a great time documenting their day, and I can’t wait for you to look through ALL of my favorite photos from their day below. Be sure to keep an eye out on my blog for more love stories and resources, and if you’re looking to book me as your wedding photographer be sure to send me an inquiry through my contact page!
Vendors
Venue - Bottom Lounge
Planner - Greater Joy Events
Video - Mike Rundle
DJ - Toast and Jam
Hair and Makeup - Pin Me Up Chicago
Florist - Garden of Grace
Dress- BHLDN
Suits - JA Bank, Generation Tux
