CHICAGO WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG

Stopping to Smell The Roses at the Four Seasons Chicago Hotel

Four Seasons Chicago Hotel Wedding

“Stop and Smell the Roses” – What began as a family phrase became the theme for Julia + Ari’s Four Seasons Chicago Hotel wedding. What better way to honor Julia’s family motto by having thousands of roses adorning her ceremony and reception!

There was so much intentionality and attention to detail. Shout out to Marcy + Erica from Great Events, Inc and Craig from Epic Events for bringing their vision to life! Julie from the Four Seasons made everything flow seamlessly with all the different food and serving options.

There is simply too much to say about this wedding – just scroll through to see all 100+ photos from their incredible day!

Wedding Details: 

Ceremony + Reception Venue: Four Seasons Chicago Hotel

Photographers: NAKAI Photography

Planners + Coordinators: Great Events, Inc

Florals + Decor: Epic Events

Band: Gold Coast All Stars

Dresser: Chicago Wedding Dresser

Hair: Hair by Erin Ahern

Makeup: Magda Rod Makeup

Socials: Moments by Just Jamie

Their Four Seasons Chicago Hotel wedding photos would not be complete with a stroll on the rooftop terrace!

four seasons chicago hotel wedding bride and groom on rooftop terrace

Thousands of roses for their Chuppah and hanging from the ceiling!

four seasons chicago hotel wedding bride and groom in ceremony ballroom with roses

One of the last images from the night – love the timestamp on iphone in the bottom right corner!

reception fun four seasons chicago hotel wedding in ballroom

Four Seasons Chicago Hotel Wedding Getting Ready Photos

Starting their day with some their invitation suite and jewelry for Julia’s lay flat photo. With so many details to photograph, we made sure to allocate time in her timeline!

lay flat details four seasons chicago hotel wedding details dress four seasons chicago hotel wedding

Customized, hand painted sneakers for the dance floor

details four seasons chicago hotel wedding

Welcome box for all of their out of town family and friends

welcome box customized four seasons chicago hotel wedding

Customized and personalized napkins for their cocktail hour

napkins customized four seasons chicago hotel wedding getting ready four seasons chicago hotel wedding

Getting ready with the sisters-

getting ready four seasons chicago hotel wedding

Handpainted perfume bottle with their wedding theme!

perfume customized four seasons chicago hotel wedding

Mother and daughter moment-

getting ready four seasons chicago hotel wedding parents four seasons chicago hotel wedding

Father of the bride was all smiles-

parents four seasons chicago hotel wedding

It’s hard to see, but there is a tear running down her cheek as she reads the card he wrote for her –

parents four seasons chicago hotel wedding

Bridal reveal to her bridesmaids!

bridesmaids reveal four seasons chicago hotel wedding

bridesmaids four seasons chicago hotel wedding

A few portraits of the stunning bride!

bride four seasons chicago hotel weddingbride four seasons chicago hotel wedding

Took advantage of the rooftop terrace for these iconic bridal portraits!

bride four seasons chicago hotel wedding bridal four seasons chicago hotel wedding

Groom’s gift to his dad and similar gifts to his brothers-

grooms details four seasons chicago hotel wedding

Slides for each of his groomsmen – love how the teams vary across the country and through different sports!

grooms details four seasons chicago hotel wedding

Nothing says a fresh cut like having a barber in suite for your wedding day!

grooms prep four seasons chicago hotel wedding grooms prep four seasons chicago hotel wedding

Mom gifting a monogrammed handkerchief for her son –

grooms prep four seasons chicago hotel wedding grooms details four seasons chicago hotel wedding groom four seasons chicago hotel wedding

A couple portraits of the groom!

groom four seasons chicago hotel wedding groom four seasons chicago hotel wedding

Four Seasons Chicago Hotel Wedding // First Look

The weather held out to have their first look on the terrace! The forecasted thunderstorms never materialized!

first look four seasons chicago hotel wedding

Love the serenity of Lake Michigan in the background juxtaposed with their energy and excitement!

first look four seasons chicago hotel wedding rooftop four seasons chicago hotel wedding rooftop four seasons chicago hotel weddingterrace four seasons chicago hotel wedding

Look at her smile! First look is over and they get to enjoy their wedding day together!

terrace four seasons chicago hotel wedding rooftop four seasons chicago hotel wedding four seasons chicago hotel wedding couple bride and groomterrace four seasons chicago hotel wedding

four seasons chicago hotel wedding couple bride and groom

We headed down the block for photos with some fall colors! Just look at those yellow leaves!

The fall colors were not everywhere…so it took a bit of a creative angle to get this photo!

A little oasis in our city-

Can’t go wrong with a photo crossing Michigan Avenue!

A Four Seasons Chicago Hotel wedding would not be complete without a photo in their lobby entrance!

lobby four seasons chicago hotel wedding bride and groom

Full bridal party photo on the Four Seasons staircase-

staircase four seasons chicago hotel wedding bridal partylobby four seasons chicago hotel wedding bridesmaidsstaircase four seasons chicago hotel wedding groomsmen

A few solo photos in the ceremony room with their roses-

portraits four seasons chicago hotel wedding bride and groom in ballroomportraits four seasons chicago hotel wedding bride and groom in ballroom

The Jewish wedding ceremony – the signing of their Ketubah

ketubah four seasons chicago hotel wedding

Four Seasons Chicago Hotel Wedding Ceremony

Smell the Roses – amazing job Epic Events!

ceremony four seasons chicago hotel wedding in ballroom

We never take a photo of the back of a ceremony room, but the view from the Chuppah was beautiful!

ceremony four seasons chicago hotel wedding in ballroomprocessional four seasons chicago hotel wedding ceremony in ballroomfour seasons chicago hotel wedding entrance ceremony in ballroomfour seasons chicago hotel wedding processional ceremony in ballroomprocessional four seasons chicago hotel wedding ceremony in ballroomprocessional four seasons chicago hotel wedding ceremony in ballroomfour seasons chicago hotel wedding entrance ceremony in ballroom

four seasons chicago hotel wedding processional ceremony in ballroomfour seasons chicago hotel wedding entrance ceremony in ballroomjewish four seasons chicago hotel wedding ceremony in ballroomemotions four seasons chicago hotel wedding ceremony in ballroomemotions four seasons chicago hotel wedding ceremony in ballroom

Love how they just shared an impromptu moment. A forehead touch. A forehead kiss? =)

jewish four seasons chicago hotel wedding ceremony in ballroomfour seasons chicago hotel wedding jewish ceremony in ballroomfour seasons chicago hotel wedding jewish ceremony in ballroom

Look at that dip! 10/10!

four seasons chicago hotel wedding jewish ceremony in ballroom

Four Seasons Chicago Hotel Wedding Reception

Their motto on top of the escort card display. This was one of six fixtures-

escort card four seasons chicago hotel wedding

Their cocktail hour showcased a different concept – a carnivale style food court!

cocktail hour four seasons chicago hotel wedding receptioncocktail hour four seasons chicago hotel wedding reception

Monogrammed hamburger buns!!!!

cocktail hour four seasons chicago hotel wedding reception

The room shot taken seconds before the doors open – so many teams working hard to make this flip possible!

reception four seasons chicago hotel wedding decor and floralsreception decor four seasons chicago hotel wedding centerpiece floralsreception decor four seasons chicago hotel wedding table settingreception decor four seasons chicago hotel wedding bar

The rally towels were twirling as the bride and groom entered the dance floor!

entrance four seasons chicago hotel wedding reception in ballroomreception four seasons chicago hotel wedding first dancefirst dance four seasons chicago hotel wedding reception in ballroomfirst dance four seasons chicago hotel wedding reception in ballroomfirst dance four seasons chicago hotel wedding reception in ballroom

Toasts given by the parents-

toasts four seasons chicago hotel wedding reception in ballroomtoasts four seasons chicago hotel wedding reception in ballroomtoasts four seasons chicago hotel wedding reception in ballroom

Parent first dances-

parent dance four seasons chicago hotel wedding reception in ballroomparent dance four seasons chicago hotel wedding reception in ballroom

Cutting of their cake tower!

cutting cake four seasons chicago hotel wedding reception in ballroom

Siblings speeches –

speeches four seasons chicago hotel wedding reception in ballroomspeeches four seasons chicago hotel wedding reception in ballroomspeeches four seasons chicago hotel wedding reception in ballroom

Julia getting a front row seat to one of the best wedding bands in Chicago! The Gold Coast All Stars!

reception four seasons chicago hotel wedding with band

Father – Son starting everyone off for the Hora!

hora four seasons chicago hotel wedding reception in ballroomhora four seasons chicago hotel wedding reception in ballroomhora four seasons chicago hotel wedding reception in ballroom

four seasons chicago hotel wedding hora reception in ballroomfour seasons chicago hotel wedding hora reception in ballroomfour seasons chicago hotel wedding hora reception in ballroom

Just one table of many for their desserts- Magnolia Bakery, Joes’s Seafood Pies, Levain cookies, Stan’s Doughnuts, etc….

dessert favors four seasons chicago hotel wedding sweets reception in ballroom

Shout out to a Logan Square popsicle store – Pretty Cool made an appearance!

dessert favors four seasons chicago hotel wedding popsicles

four seasons chicago hotel wedding dancing reception in ballroomfour seasons chicago hotel wedding dancing reception in ballroom

They may have flown so high they could touch the roses!

four seasons chicago hotel wedding dancing reception in ballroomfour seasons chicago hotel wedding reception in ballroom dancing

The happy parents dancing ALL NIGHT!

four seasons chicago hotel wedding reception in ballroom dancing

Breaking it down with the Gold Coast All Stars-

four seasons chicago hotel wedding reception in ballroom dancing

This photo makes us laugh everytime! Nothing but love from your brother!

reception fun four seasons chicago hotel wedding in ballroom

four seasons chicago hotel wedding bride and groom reception ballroom with roses

Their party favor…reminding their guests to Smell the Roses!

party favors four seasons chicago hotel wedding towelstake home gift four seasons chicago hotel wedding in ballroom

Congrats again Julia and Ari! It was an epic day and we were here for it! Though there are thousands of more photos to view, we hope you were able to relive all these special moments from your Four Seasons Chicago Hotel wedding!

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Drake Hotel Wedding Photos // M&J

Drake Hotel Wedding Photos

Everything was perfect for Madison and Jon’s Drake Hotel wedding! We traveled a short distance for their Olive Park wedding photos with the Chicago skyline. The weather cooperated and we enjoyed warmer than usual temps along Lake Michigan.

We also were able to take night time photos in one our favorites locations in Chicago: The rooftop of The Drake Hotel. Scroll down to see the photos…we think you’ll agree with us!

Shout out to Haley from Plan and Gather and Ariella from The Drake for helping make everything run smoothly for the bride and groom. And to Vale of Enna for the beautiful florals and decor for their Drake Hotel wedding ceremony + reception.

If you missed their engagement photos, you have to check out their Chicago Buckingham Fountain Engagement Photos Blog Post.

Wedding Details:
Ceremony and Reception Venue: The Drake Hotel 
Photographers: NAKAI Photography

Florals + Decor: Vale of Enna
Planner: Haley from Plan and Gather
Hair + MUA: Pin Me Up Chicago

Up first are three of our favorite photos from their day. But scroll through this post to see 90+ pictures-

drake hotel wedding photos rooftop at night

 

drake hotel wedding photos bride and groom by front sign

 

Their ‘dip’ game is spot on – 10 out of 10

olive park wedding photos

 

The Drake Hotel Wedding Photos // Getting Ready

Starting their day with a lay flat wedding details photo. These lay flats take longer than you think, so we always appreciate brides giving us the time to make the magic happen-

lay flat details drake hotel wedding photos

 

Groom’s details – custom cufflinks and tie bar…along with his grandfather’s restored Rolex watch

lay flat details drake hotel wedding photos
lay flat details drake hotel wedding photos

 

A perfect spot to hang her wedding dress –

dress hanging drake hotel wedding photos
bride getting ready drake hotel wedding photos

 

Mom helping her daughter into her gown – she had the skillset to put all the loops on the buttons herself! (not an easy feat)

bride getting ready drake hotel wedding photos
bride prep drake hotel wedding photos

 

bride getting ready drake hotel wedding photos

An unscripted moment between sisters-

Dad trying to take it all in-

bride prep drake hotel wedding photos
bride prep drake hotel wedding photos

 

bride portrait drake hotel wedding photos
jewelry drake hotel wedding photos

One last look in the mirror!

Gorgeous portrait of the bride-

bride portrait drake hotel wedding photos
bride portrait drake hotel wedding photos

 

Jon was getting ready with his friends and family-

groom getting ready drake hotel wedding photos
groom getting ready drake hotel wedding photos
jewelry drake hotel wedding photos
groom portraits drake hotel wedding photos
groom portraits drake hotel wedding photos
groom getting ready drake hotel wedding photos
groom portraits drake hotel wedding photos

 

First look 

first look drake hotel wedding photos
first look drake hotel wedding photos
first look drake hotel wedding photos
ceremony drake hotel wedding photos

 

Olive Park Wedding Photos

olive park wedding photos

 

We were fortunate to have Olive Park all to ourselves when we arrived!

chicago skyline wedding photos bridal party
chicago skyline wedding photographer bridesmaids
chicago skyline wedding photos groomsmen
olive park wedding photos bridal party
chicago skyline wedding pictures bridesmaids
olive park wedding photographer groomsmen

 

chicago skyline wedding pictures bride and groom
olive park wedding photographer bride and groom walking
chicago skyline wedding photographer groomsmen walking
chicago skyline wedding photos bridesmaids walking
olive park wedding photo bride and groom
olive park wedding photographer bride and groom walking
chicago skyline wedding photographer bride and groom kiss

Olive Park boasts of the best views of the Chicago skyline – which makes it a popular wedding day location!

chicago skyline wedding pictures bride and groom

 

olive park wedding photo bride and groom kissing
olive park wedding photo wedding party

On our way out, we found a tree that started turning colors! Love to have this picture for the bride and groom to remember the fall colors on their wedding day-

chicago fall wedding photos bride and groom

 

The Drake Hotel Wedding Ceremony // The Grand Ballroom

ballroom drake hotel wedding photos decor
drake hotel wedding ceremony photos flower girl
ballroom drake hotel wedding photos ceremony
ceremony drake hotel wedding photos room vale of enna

One our favorite features of The Grand Ballroom is the balcony that is available for the photographers

drake hotel wedding photos bride and groom by front sign
drake hotel wedding ceremony photos bride and groom walking down aisle
ballroom drake hotel wedding photos ceremony
drake hotel wedding ceremony photos bride and groom vows
drake hotel wedding ceremony pictures ballroom
drake hotel wedding ceremony pictures ballroom
drake hotel wedding ceremony pictures ballroom
drake hotel wedding photography ballroom exit

Drake Hotel Wedding Reception Photos

details drake hotel wedding reception vale of enna

Room shot of the The Grand Ballroom after the ceremony flip.

details drake hotel wedding reception vale of enna
decor drake hotel wedding reception vale of enna
details drake hotel wedding reception vale of enna
decor drake hotel wedding reception vale of enna
decor drake hotel wedding reception

Bride and groom entrance to their reception

entrance drake hotel wedding reception bride groom
entrance drake hotel wedding reception bride groom
entrance drake hotel wedding reception bride groom

Cutting of their cake!

program cake drake hotel wedding reception bride groom

The famous Drake Hotel wedding champagne toast to the bride and groom

program drake hotel wedding reception bride groom

The bride and groom started the night off with a few words

program drake hotel wedding reception bride groom

Father of the bride toast

toasts drake hotel wedding reception parents

Father of the groom toast

toasts drake hotel wedding reception parents
grandma drake hotel wedding reception parents
toasts drake hotel wedding reception parents

Siblings giving their toasts

speeches drake hotel wedding reception parents
speeches drake hotel wedding reception siblings
speeches drake hotel wedding reception siblings

Parent dances with their kids

parent dance drake hotel wedding reception
parent dance drake hotel wedding reception

Then the bride and groom put on a fantastic choreographed first dance!

first dance drake hotel wedding reception
first dance drake hotel wedding reception
first dance drake hotel wedding reception

The dance floor was open and the fun began!

dancing drake hotel wedding reception
dancing drake hotel wedding reception
dancing drake hotel wedding reception
party drake hotel wedding reception

What a fall season for these Indiana alumni – an amazing Drake Hotel wedding AND their football team at the top of the AP ranking! (Ranked #2 at the time of publication)

party drake hotel wedding reception
party drake hotel wedding reception

We ended with a few wedding photos on the rooftop at night! Love everything about these next few photos- we couldn’t pick a favorite! Can you?

rooftop drake hotel wedding photos at night

Soooooo romantic with the neon glow of The Drake sign-

rooftop drake hotel wedding photos at night

As Chicago wedding photographers – we love to take pictures in these exclusive locations – only available to couples on their wedding day!

rooftop drake hotel wedding photos at night
drake hotel wedding night photos rooftop

One last photo in an elevator as they make their way back to the dance floor

drake hotel wedding night photos elevator

Thank you Madison and Jon for having us as your wedding photographers – we hope these pictures help you relive your Drake Hotel wedding!

 

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