Nisse and Matt
Photo: Olivia Leigh Photographie
Although Nisse and Matt first met in a college engineering class, it was art that ultimately brought them together. Six years into their relationship, on June 16, 2012, they tied the knot at The Art Institute of Chicago, surrounded by 165 loved ones and spectacular masterpieces.
With its lakefront views and downtown location, The Art Institute of Chicago provided a striking setting for the couple’s nuptials. Inside the venue, famous artwork and neutral walls helped all of their special details really come to life.
Nisse worked with Molly Myers of Paisley Quill on the letterpressed invitation suite that provided a first glimpse of the wedding's color palette. The envelopes were lined with a coral, peach, and gray marbled paper and the outside was calligraphed by Angelique Ink.
The father-of-the-bride framed a poster-sized version of the couple's save-the-date and displayed it at the wedding. The vintage-style announcement was created by Alexander & Company.
The bride wore Monique Lhuillier's "Candy" dress, a Twigs and Honey veil, and BHLDN shoes and jewelry. The groom donned a Brooks Brothers "Fitzgerald" suit accented by silver envelope cufflinks with a small letter from Nisse inside, engraved "I love you."
Fleur used succulents, charm peonies, poppies, ranunculus, scabiosa, and dusty miller to create Nisse’s bouquet.
The bridesmaids picked out their own peach and coral dresses and accessorized them with aqua earrings from Anthropologie.
The bride's young cousins acted as flower girls and ring bearers. Here, the little ladies show off their tutus by TutusChicBoutique and Forever21 headbands.
The service took place on the Women's Board Grand Staircase with the bridal party and immediate family witnessing from the landings and guests from the balcony. Because the venue was quite grand, decor was kept minimal -- just two large floral arrangements. The bride's uncle (in his favorite kilt) officiated the secular ceremony, which included self-penned vows, a reading from The Velveteen Rabbit, and a performance of "Till There Was You" sung by the sister-of-the-bride.
The couple and their photographer, Olivia Leigh, traveled around the city for portraits. One of the stops included the industrial West Loop neighborhood, where they posed by railroad tracks, bridge underpasses, and this ivy-covered wall.
Basil gin martinis were made even more festive with "Eat, Drink, Marry" straw flags.
Nisse's mother created large watercolor paintings that were cut into tags and calligraphed by Angelique Ink. Each was hung with baker's twine from a stenciled screen the couple brought from their apartment.
Guests moved outside for the al fresco dinner in the venue's McKinlock Court. A fountain in the middle, along with a replica of Carl Milles's Triton Fountain, made a great centerpiece.
Bon Appetit prepared the dinner that included a beet and goat cheese salad, pomegranate sorbet, lamb tagliata with polenta, halibut poached in lobster oil with seasonal vegetables, and paneer.
Green Jordan almonds were packaged in white sliding boxes then wrapped with marble paper leftover from the invitation envelope liners. A sparkly velvet ribbon finished them off.
Nisse framed silhouettes of herself and the groom to mark their seats.
The bride personalized the opening page of their Velvet Raptor album and set it out for guests' well-wishes. Tape was also handy for affixing photo booth strips into the keepsake book.
The newlyweds chose "You Are the Best Thing" by Ray LaMontagne for their dancing debut.
A trio of cakes featured five different flavors: lemon with sour cherry filling, chocolate with hazelnut ganache, chocolate with apricot ganache, red velvet with sweet cream filling, and banana with butterscotch ganache. The buttercream and fresh flower-covered confections were created by Flour Cake and Pastry and, like the other delicacies on the table, were displayed on vintage serving ware sourced on Ebay and Etsy. Guests also enjoyed Champagne marshmallows, Mexican hot chocolate marshmallows, and assorted truffles from Truffle Truffle; and macarons by Vanille Patisserie.
Photography: Olivia Leigh Photograhie
Location and catering: The Art Institute of Chicago
Wedding planning: Hilary Schwartz of Estera Events
Music: Dolce Strings
Flowers: Fleur
Cakes: Flour Cake and Pastry
Stationery: Paisley Quill
Rentals: Private Label Linens; Modern Event Rental; Precision Sound and Lighting
Calligraphy: Angelique Ink
Photobooth: Magbooth
Hair and makeup: Bride Style Beauty
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