Langham Chicago Wedding Photos // Sam + Pete!

09.14.17

Photos at one of the Best Chicago Luxury Wedding Venue Hotels: The Langham Chicago!

Samantha + Pete were married at one of Chicago’s best luxury wedding venues – The Langham Chicago! I love everything about this hotel…the location, the natural light and the luxurious modern interior design! It totally matched their look for their wedding!

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Wedding Details:
Getting Ready: Langham Chicago Hotel
Ceremony: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Chicago
Reception: Langham Chicago Hotel
Hair: Juan Jose Herrera
MUA: Jessica Camacho
Coordinator: Kristina Taheri Special Events
Photography: Nakai Photography
Dress: Pronovias Barcelona from Mira Couture
Groom’s Tuxedo: Hugo Boss
Invitations: Ashley’s Custom Stationary
Cake: Elysia Root Cakes
Guest Favors: Sugarfina Bling Ring

Another one of my favorites from the day was taken on LaSalle Street. As a photographer, I love all the layers to this photo…the kiss under the veil, in front of the Langham Pink Taxi, and on LaSalle Street with the bridges in the background! BTW: I’m not the only one that loves this photo – The Langham Chicago put this on their Instagram account as well!

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Nothing is more romantic than a photo at night under the Langham Marquee- Her Pronovias gown is perfection!

best Chicago luxury wedding venue hotel photographer Langham

Getting Ready at the Langham Chicago

One of the prettiest places to hang a dress in all of Chicago. With the Chicago river in the background!

Chicago luxury wedding details photos dress

Her Badgley Mischka shoes!

Chicago luxury wedding details photos shoes

Decided to combine her earrings with her clutch!

Love how their initials made it into their branding for their invitations, stamps, and Sugarfina guest favors! And wouldn’t you know, the chocolate was made in Greece – perfect for their Greek wedding!

Not a staged photo- this WAS the moment after the bottle was uncorked!

Custom fashion illustrated makeup bags for the bridesmaids!

The hair and dress were a stunning combination!

One of my favorite moments from their day! Priceless reaction with the flower girl!

The guys were elsewhere in the Langham having a good time-

Pete looking sharp in his tuxedo

Wedding Photos at The Langham Chicago

As a photographer, one of the reasons I enjoy working at the Langham is due to the variety of photos that you can take in and around the venue! It is located in one of the best locations and the interior is so photogenic!

Photographer’s Tip: Step back and include a sense of place in the photo!

We stepped outside for a brief photo on the River with the Wrigley Building in the background!

We love the Langham Pink Taxi! If you are ever a guest at the Langham, you can take a ride in it!

Bridal party group photo!

A bridal party picture with a fashion magazine feel!

Wedding Ceremony at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Chicago

One of my favorite parts of a Greek Orthodox wedding, when the mothers throw petals at the bride and groom!

One the way back to the Langham, we stopped on LaSalle St to take a few photos!

Langham Chicago Wedding Reception Photos

Photo of the escort card table

Samantha found these vintage wedding magazines featuring famous Greek and American weddings: Jackie Kennedy Onassis + Caroline Kennedy!

The bride brought in these pillows to accent the lounge chairs-

LOVE this custom acrylic hashtag above the bar! #PSILOVEUXOXO

The Devonshire Ballroom looking fabulous for the reception!

One of the best parts of a Greek wedding: the dancing!

Confetti toss on the dance floor!

One more photo under the Langham marquee!

Congrats again Samantha + Pete! It was an amazing day and I hope you were able to enjoy it all over again through these photos! Can’t wait to share more!

with love,

your Chicago wedding photographer,

Kenny Nakai

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Drake Hotel Wedding Teasers // Kim + Samer!

09.04.17

Wedding Teaser Photos From Michigan Avenue + Chicago Drake Hotel

Just got home from Kim + Samer’s Drake Chicago Hotel wedding! Before I head to bed, I wanted to share a few of my favorite photos from their special day! Shout out to Kristina from Kristina Taheri Events and Shaun from the Drake Hotel for executing a flawless day!

***In case you missed them: Kim + Samer’s Chicago Engagement Photos***

Up first…a photo on the Drake staircase! The stairs help showcase Kim’s gorgeous Vera Wang dress and veil!

Wedding Details:
Ceremony + Reception Venue: Chicago Drake Hotel
Planner: Kristina Taheri Events
Photographers: Nakai Photography
Florals: Juliet Tan Floral
Dress: Vera Wang
MUA: Makeup by Aga
Hair: THREE ONE TWO Bridal
Lighting: Frost Lighting

We found a small ray of sunlight walking to Michigan Avenue!

Crossing Michigan Avenue!

I had to share one photo of the Gold Coast Ballroom all set up for their ceremony! It is a ballroom like no other in Chicago!

Congratulations again Kim + Samer! So many wonderful moments captured…I can’t wait to share more! Thanks for having us!

with love,

your Chicago wedding photographer,

Kenny

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Ritz Carlton Chicago Wedding Photos // Jenn + Dan!

09.01.17

Remodeled Ritz Carlton Chicago Wedding Photos!

It has only been two weeks since their wedding. I think Jenn + Dan are still on their honeymoon in Italy! Probably sipping wine over looking the rolling hills of Tuscany. Eating fresh gnocchi. Can you tell I’m jealous? =)

In case you didn’t know, the Ritz Carlton Chicago just finished their $100 million renovation…and it looks amazing! They completely remodeled the lobby – I love the wood, marble and glass textures! The renovation brought so much more natural light into the ballroom area as well!

Everything about Jenn + Dan’s wedding was amazing. It was obvious how perfect they are for each other when they played rock – paper – scissors after their first look! (that will be in their slideshow at a later time) We took some photos outside the Ritz Carlton in the park, in front of the fire station and on the steps of the MCA (Museum of Contemporary Art)! Be sure to scroll through all the photos!

Wedding Details
Rehearsal Dinner: Soho House Chicago
Ceremony + Reception Venue: Remodeled Ballroom at The Ritz Carlton Chicago
Planner: Jan from Parties Events + More
Decor + Florals: HMR Designs
Photographer: Kenny from Nakai Photography
Associate Photographer: Tom Yan
Hair: Robyn Tornabeni
Make Up: Cynde’s Cosmetics
Dresser: Tonya from The Wedding Dresser – Groom Dresser: Grant McNamara
Dress: Matthew Christopher from Nordstrom Wedding Suite
Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Band: Great Life Music

Shout out to Jan from Parties, Events + More for planning and coordinating an amazing wedding for the bride and groom! There were so many little details that helped make the day super special! Kudos to Marc and his staff at the Ritz-Carlton for all the hard work they put in behind the scenes! The decor designed by John from HMR Designs never disappoints!

The most epic photo of the night! There are reasons you hire an experienced wedding photographer – for moments like this!

As a photographer, I love the symmetry, clean lines and the beautiful tone in this photo juxtaposed with their smiles!

The Ritz Carlton is located just steps away from Michigan Avenue, so we made sure to take a quick photo in the middle of the Magnificent Mile!

Rehearsal Dinner + Welcome Party at Soho House Chicago

I rarely post photos of a rehearsal dinner or welcome party…but when said event is at Soho House Chicago, I can’t resist posting a few detail pictures! The interior design is impeccable!

A few treats for the guests in the Soho House theater

Getting Ready at the Ritz Carlton Chicago

It was the weekend of the Chicago Air & Water Show…and the guests at the Ritz Carlton had a front row seat!

A gorgeous Matthew Christopher gown + Jimmy Choo shoes!

Custom champagne glasses for the ladies-

Had to take a photo of this gold foil letterpress invitation! The Marble stationary matches their escort card table marble pieces!

There’s never a bad photo when you pop champagne!

The Presidential Suite at the Ritz Carlton was gorgeous- a perfect upgrade for the Bride!

Dan and the groomsmen were elsewhere in the hotel getting ready-

My associate photographer was sure to get a photo of Dan looking out over Lake Michigan!

If you were looking for a fun and unique bridal party gift, look no further than these personalized socks by No Cold Feet!

Some of my favorite photos were taken in the remodeled Ritz Carlton lobby!

A photo on the roof deck where you are up close and personal with the John Hancock! You can see it in the reflection! I’ll admit, I’m a photographer with a thing for reflections!

We started by taking photos in the park right in front of the Ritz

We stopped by the Fire Station for a quick photo-

The men in red were happy to pull out their Fire Engine!

This photo in front of the MCA looks like a fashion magazine ad!

Ritz Carlton Wedding Ceremony Photos

The escort card table…except there are no cards. There are handwritten marble tiles for everyone!

Though they renovated the ballroom, they kept their gorgeous crystal chandelier!

Ritz Carlton Wedding Reception Photos

Decorations on the head table-

Love the little touches, like succulents on the back of the Bride and Groom’s chairs!

Jenn surprised Dan with a groom’s cake!

One last photo on the rooftop deck at night!

Congrats again Jenn + Dan! It was an unforgettable night! Thanks for being willing to go where ever for photos! Even outside at night! =)

with love,

your Chicago wedding photographer,

Kenny Nakai

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Langham Chicago Wedding Slideshow // Fazilat + Nadeem!

08.31.17

Pakistani Wedding Photography Slideshow // Langham Chicago

There are just too many amazing photos from Fazilat + Nadeem’s wedding reception! As a wedding photographer, I appreciate how my clients prioritize their wedding photos! We took photos around the Langham, Olive Park, Riverwalk and the Art Institute South Garden. I love the traditional Pakistani wedding attire worn by the bridesmaids + groomsmen! Make sure you have a good internet connection to watch their wedding photography slideshow in HD!

Be sure to check out Fazilat + Nadeem’s Bahai Temple + Chicago Skyline Engagement Blog Post, and to read their Langham Wedding Reception Blog Post!

Wedding Details:
Reception Venue: Langham Chicago Hotel
Photographer: Nakai Photography
Planner: Davina Arceneaux from the Langham
Photo Locations: Art Institute, Riverwalk, Olive Park

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Chicago Engagement Session // Josie + David!

08.29.17

Great Chicago Engagement Session Ideas

Josie + David had some great ideas for their Chicago engagement session! As engagement photographers, we are always looking for new places to shoot at! When they requested a coffee shop, I had just the spot in mind!

We also stopped by one of my favorite locations…the Chicago Theater sign on State Street! The Chicago Theater sign can be a little cliche, but I think you’ll agree…this is anything but cliche!

David works right across the street from Union Station, and it was his idea to swing by for a few photos at this historic Chicago building!

We started their session of at one of Chicago’s most popular engagement locations: The Adler Planetarium! You can see the whole skyline from the Adler…you can see the Willis Tower on the left and the John Hancock on the right!

Photographers Tip: Look for reflections wherever you are! Why settle for one John Hancock when you can have two!

Cute Coffeeshop Engagement Photos

Love these cute photos at a hidden coffee shop in Chicago! You really have to know where this place is to find it! This location combined two of their engagement session ideas: string lights + coffee!