REAL CHICAGO WEDDING: TESS & MIKE, SOUTH SHORE CULTURAL CENTER

Today this lovely couple celebrates their second anniversary, so I thought it would be fun to revisit their beautiful wedding day! Tess and Mike were married on a {very hot} Saturday in early June at the historic South Shore Cultural Center. We were lucky enough to have the very talented Amanda Hein Photography there with us to capture all of the wonderful moments!

This venue holds a particularly special place in my heart, as it is where my grandparents were married in the 1940's when it was a private country club. I'm always struck by this feeling of being connected to them when I walk through the doors and I just love that! It's incredible to think that much of it hasn't changed in all of those decades - one of the many things I love about working in a city so full of history.

But, I digress - back to this stunner of a wedding!

Tess spent the morning with her mother and bridesmaids at her parents' GORGEOUS Victorian home in suburban Riverside. The ladies were so relaxed as they got their hair and makeup done by stylists and artists from Solo Salon. Amanda snapped photos of Tess and the ladies on the lush green grounds of their house - it made for the most perfect backdrop! While the ladies were busy getting beautiful, the guys were across town getting ready at the University Club. This was an impressive group of groomsmen, who all looked so dapper in classic black tuxes.

The couple's first look and ceremony both took place in the Dining Room - this room is just stunning with its floor to ceiling windows, black and white checkered floor and hand-painted details.

Following their sweet first look, Tess, Mike and their wedding party and parents went outside for some fun, sun-filled photos because...lakefront! One of the many perks of the Cultural Center is its proximity to our beautiful Lake Michigan and they really took advantage of it!

From the heartfelt ceremony in the pink Dining Room, guests moved into the Solarium for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. For the escort card table, we used their personal collection of silver platters, milk glass and vintage cake stands. It was such a playful way to display the cards and loose greens were the perfect addition! For this wedding, it was so great to get to use all 3 spaces in the South Shore Cultural Center - we moved from the Solarium to the Theater for dinner and dancing and this was when things really got fun!

Tess's family has a long-standing tradition of surprising the happy couple with a group Irish dance and this one did not disappoint! When Tess and Mike were introduced into the reception, we ushered them right up on to the stage where they watched about 80 of their closest family and friends perform the Siege of Ennis, a very intricate Irish line dance. It was the most amazing thing to watch and Tess and Mike couldn't believe their eyes! The photos of their reactions are some of my favorite of the whole day!

After the excitement of that performance, guests were treated to a delicious spread from Wishbone Catering and the most incredible sweets display from Bittersweet Bakery. They danced the night away to the sounds of the Chicago Groove Collective, but not before we had some very special dances. Tess and Mike danced for the first time to a song beautifully performed by their friend, Lily, and Tess performed a traditional Irish dance with her father. Everyone loved it!

This day was so full of special, personal touches, which is what we strive for for all of our clients' weddings! It was a wedding we won't soon forget! Hope you enjoyed the beautiful photos from Amanda Hein!