How do I even begin to describe Gary and Rachel’s reception?
How about WOW! I’ve never in my career seen more gorgeous roses! Bonnie Flower Shop, Inc. went above and beyond for this winter wedding with the highest quality center pieces that FILLED every table in sight! Not only were the center pieces simple, classic, lovely and gorgeous, but the top-knotch, red, pink and white color roses smelled so delicious I wanted to eat them right then and there in front of hundreds of people!
Round tables were set with formal dinner ware and center pieces illuminated by hundreds of candles. The elegant hand-made favors? Miniture scrolls of thanks and blessings with a burgandy pouch of velvet placed upon the small, clean, white bread plates on each table. So lovely in texture and rich in thought!
There were a couple surprises during the reception. First, Rachel’s brother, David, is a professional break dancer and had rallied a few of his closest colleagues to perform as their “toast” to Gary and Rachel. To top it off, the performance had been kept secret between Rachel and her brother as a surprise to all the guests, family and groom! Yah, these guys totally rock and are incredibly cool and how could we not have had a blast watching and capturing their performance to the bride, groom and guests?
The break dancing performance wasn’t Rachel’s only surprise to her groom. As mentioned in their engagement photo shoot, Rachel is an amazing vocalist for Happy Butterfly Foot. In secret, she had written a song for Gary and performed it as her toast to him just before their first dance. There truly wasn’t a dry eye in the room as the couple danced their first dance as husband and wife. Soon after that, the entire room of people got up and surrounded the the bride in a circle and danced around her singing songs of prises about her – the “gladdening of the bride.”
Haunukkah: Festival of Lights. Gary and Rachel’s wedding seemed to me the ultimate “Winter Night’s Dream.” A night of grace and filled with so many blessings of new life, joy, support and love. We were most humbed and honored to be a part of Gary and Rachel’s wedding in Chicago!
GARY & RACHEL – CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, part I view HERE
GARY & RACHEL – CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, part II view HERE
GARY & RACHEL – CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, part III view HERE
CEREMONY & RECEPTION VENUE – Germania Place, Chicago
CHICAGO LIFESTYLE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY – LaRae & Cory Lobdell of Lifework Images, Seattle & Chicago
COORDINATOR – Personal friend, Lisa Preston, Chicago
WEDDING DRESS – Mori Lee Blu 2856 by Madeline Gardner from A L’Amour, Barrington
SHOES – Madden Girl Women’s Briisk from Famous Footwear
HAIR – Maggie Cisco, Chicago
MAKEUP – Kristen Terese, Chicago
BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES & SHOES – David’s Bridal, Chicago
TUXEDO FORMAL WEAR – Formerly Modern Tuxedo, Chicago
FLOWERS – Bonnie Flower Shop, Inc., Chicago
CATERER – Germania Place, Chicago
WEDDING CAKE – Dana at Sweety Pies Bakery, Chicago
LIVE MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT – Maxwell Street Klezmer Band, Chicago
MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT – Michael Schweda Disc Jockey, Chicago
WEDDING RINGS – Israel Blessing, Tel Aviv, Israel
