Halle and Jordan married at the Radisson Blu Aqua, inside one of Chicago’s most recognized buildings. Then a full marching band walked into the reception.
Halle and Jordan met as kids, back when their dads coached T-ball together. Years later, in middle school, they saw each other again at a bar mitzvah, and Halle gathered the courage to walk across the dance floor to talk to him. Their friendship started that night and never really stopped.
Most couples meet after each person has already lived through life’s ups and downs on their own. Halle and Jordan lived through theirs together. Their relationship deepened by their shared experiences. By the time they got married, so many of their friends and family said the same thing: it was never a question of if, only when. That “when” finally arrived a couple weeks ago, at the Radisson Blu Aqua Chicago Hotel.
Shout out to Johnna from Great Events, Tara from the Radisson Blu Aqua, and Mal from HMR Designs for making this wedding a magical night for Halle & Jordan!
Wedding Details:
Ceremony and Reception Venue: Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago
Photographers: NAKAI Photography
Planner & Coordinators: Johnna from Great Events, Inc
Florals & Decor: Mal from HMR Designs
Band: Lakeshore Encores
Hair: Erin Ahern
MUA: Kelly La Banco
Gown: Ines Di Santo
A wedding inside one of Chicago’s most recognized buildings
The Radisson Blu Aqua sits inside the Aqua Tower, an 82 story building in the Lakeshore East neighborhood designed by architect Jeanne Gang. Completed in 2009, the building is known for its curved, rippling concrete balconies, inspired by the striated limestone formations found around the Great Lakes. It was named Emporis Skyscraper of the Year the year it opened, and it remains one of the most awarded buildings in the city.
Halle wore an Ines Di Santo gown with the perfect matching veil (the veil comes later)
Halle’s first look with her dad was an emotional one for both of them. Watching her wipe a tear from his eyes is one of my favorite moments from the entire day.
Her friends were stunned when they saw her for the first time!
The guys were busy getting ready themselves
Love this candid moment of Jordan’s mom touched his nose during his own getting ready photos. Small moments, but the kind that end up meaning the most later.
We took advantage of their private outdoor terrace for their first look
The Radisson Blu Aqua is an award winning building, and it would have been a mistake not to use it. I coordinated with my associate photographer to build one portrait specifically around the architecture, the rippling balconies photographed from below, with Halle and Jordan built into the frame. It is one of my favorite images from the day, and one that could only happen at this specific hotel.
Mal from HMR Designs brought the whole vision to life, green pipe and drape paired with white, pink, and green florals: roses, hydrangeas, calla lilies, and more.
A surprise nobody saw coming
Halle had always dreamed of having a marching band at her wedding. Her dad decided to make it happen, and somehow kept it a secret from her through the entire planning process. During the reception, the Lakeside Pride Marching Band walked in unannounced but definitely heard. Halle had no idea. Neither did any of the guests. The reaction across the room was priceless, and I still do not know how her dad, or her planner, managed to keep something that big under wraps for that long.
Hidden from the bride, until the exact right second.
A real shoutout is owed to Johnna from Great Events Inc, who helped plan and coordinate the whole wedding and somehow kept a marching band hidden from Halle until the perfect moment.
Lakeshore Encore, part of the Gold Coast Events family, played the rest of the night and kept the dance floor full of energy.
And as with every Great Events wedding I have photographed, the dessert table was a genuine highlight to close out the night.
Congrats again Halle + Jordan! Loved photographing your wedding, from the tears in your bridal suite to the surprise marching band – it was everything!
Planning a Wedding at Radisson Blu Aqua?
Let’s talk about your day.
I’m Kenny Nakai, a Chicago wedding photographer who has photographed weddings inside the Aqua Tower many times, along with venues across the city since 2007. I would love to hear what you are envisioning, marching band optional. Inquire for more information!
