Modern Touches Elevate This Romantic Fall Wedding

The Stationery Suite

Ladyfingers Letterpress designed the couple's one-of-a-kind stationery suite, featuring calligraphy by Rosann Konieczny. The blush-colored save-the-dates were inspired by Madeline's wedding gown, and boasted rose gold foil-stamping. "I wanted to base the save-the-dates on the dress, as a sneak preview of the dress for my guests," says the bride of her gown's non-white hue. The invites were die-cut into geometric shapes, and wrapped in a white vellum with rose gold foil lines. Tied with silk ribbons and packaged inside gray boxes sealed with copper tape, each package had a calligraphed geometric shape on top to serve as address labels.

The Welcome Bag

Welcome bags from Gracious Bridal were customized with the bride and groom's wedding logo. Snacks from local companies including Old Dutch Potato Chips, Salted Nut Rolls, Angie's Boomchickapop popcorn, and staples such as Advil, water, and mints filled them up.​

The Location

Madeline and Michael fell in love with Solar Arts by Chowgirls, housed within a 100-year old industrial building with hardwood floors, exposed brick, and tons of charming, historic details. The space created nostalgia of warehouses found in Michael's hometown of Chicago, and was the urban, convenient setting the couple was looking for. A colorful wreath by Munster Rose welcomed guests, and was also one of the bride's favorite details of the day.

The Dress

Peter Langner designed Madeline's pale pink gown. "This was the third dress I tried on, and I instantly fell in love," says the bride, "It was so different from all the other wedding gowns I had seen." Madeline and Michael's save-the-dates made it into the hands of Peter, who was inspired by the design and as a result, added custom, intricate beading into the gown. "The dress was truly a labor of love for Peter," says Madeline, "as every bead was head sewn into the dress and veil. It was couture in the true meaning of the word."

The Veil

Peter Langner also created a blush cathedral-length veil, incorporating the same delicate beading. "The veil was very important to me," says Madeline, "I wanted to wear it most of the night, not just for the ceremony. I love vintage pictures of brides in their veils–especially Grace Kelly." She further accessorized with gold Jimmy Choo wedges and an antique opal ring that was a birthday present from her mother, and her "something old". An embroidered handkerchief–a family heirloom from Michael's side–was given to Madeline to hold by her mother in law.

The Bridal Bouquet

Madeline's organic bouquet by Munster Rose consisted of berry-toned flowers including scabiosa, viburnum berries, roses, plus her favorites, ranunculus and dahlias. Silk & Willow ribbons tied the arrangement together.

The Bridal Party

Madeline's friends served as bridesmaids, wearing floor-length, sable-colored LulaKate dresses, and a mix of pink pashminas.

The Boutonnieres

Male attendants wore boutonnieres made of white ranunculus, berries, and greenery by Munster Rose.

The Ceremony

Madeline walked down the aisle with her stepfather to "You Are The Best Thing" by Ray Lamontagne to meet Michael underneath a custom light installation. The structure, created by MNFX, was made of black metal fused into geometric shapes, which were softened with greenery and blooms.

The Vows

Madeline and Michael exchanged vows they penned into two little books while in the main space of Solar Arts by Chowgirls. The bride's twin sister recited the only reading during the service, which was "I Carry Your Heart With Me" by e.e. cummings. To end the service, the newlyweds' had their first kiss as husband and wife.

The Cocktail Hour

Following the ceremony, guests were transported in rickshaws to Architectural Antiques, a unique spot filled with endless artifacts and antiques for cocktail hour. Signature drinks were named after the newlyweds' two dogs, "The Jameson" which was a twist on a traditional seven-and-seven and "The Bailey", a vodka-based, mulled cider were served.

The Whisky Bar

"Mike loves whiskey and what goes better with whiskey than cigars?" says Madeline of the custom tasting bar that was created for her groom. In honor of Michael's favorite food, a tater tot food truck was a fun, tasty extra for guests to enjoy. Following cocktail hour, guests were transported back to The Solar Arts Building for the remainder of the night's festivities.

The Escort Cards

"I was looking to do something really different for the escort cards," says the bride of the cards hand lettered by Rosann Konieczny and installed on a wood wall along with small flowers and copper tape.

The Reception

Rocket Science Weddings & Events flipped the ceremony space for the reception. Creating a cool juxtaposition between hard and soft, industrial and romantic, Gretchen Culver and her team used clear acrylic chairs and wooden farm tables to set the scene. The geometric lighting structure from the service now acted as a focal point over the head table.

The Décor

"My big request to my florist was that no two arrangements on the tables look alike, and that they all be asymmetrical," Madeline explains, "I did not want anything structured or too cookie cutter looking." Munster Rose created just that, decorating the tables with rich, vibrant floral arrangements, complimented with a mix of candles in colorful glass holders.

The Menu

Chowgirls Killer Catering prepared the evening's meal, which featured fall comfort food. Rocket Science Weddings & Events designed the dinner menus, calligraphed by Rosann Konieczny, which also doubled as guests' place cards. Each of the different colors corresponded to an entree option–including roasted chicken, grilled steak, eggplant torte, and grilled salmon.

The First Dance

The newlyweds shared their first dance to "I Wanna Get Next To You" by Rose Royce.

The Cake

Madeline and Michael's video-mapped cake was created by Cocoa and Fig. "We wanted to do something out of the box with our cake, something that would surprise our guests," says Madeline. The cake played a loop of blooming flowers, until it was time to cut in. Shocking all of their guests, the cake's video—projected by Playatta—incorporated the newlyweds' colors and design elements, as well as horses (which the bride loves) and some fireworks for the groom–helping satisfy his desire to end their celebrations with fireworks.

Sources

Photography, Liz Banfield Photography

Location, Solar Arts by Chowgirls; Architectural Antiques

Event planning, Gretchen Culver of Rocket Science Weddings & Events

Catering, Chowgirls Killer Catering

Flowers, Munster Rose

Videography, Vibrant Film

Stationery, Ladyfingers Letterpress

Calligraphy, Rosann Konieczny Calligrapher

Cake, Cocoa and Fig; Playatta (video)

Music, No Limits from Greenlight Booking

Rentals, Beverly & Co.

Bride's gown and veil, Peter Langner from L'Atelier Couture

Bride's shoes, Jimmy Choo

Hair, Emily J. Hair and Makeup

Makeup, Jett Makeup

Bridesmaids' dresses, LulaKate

Groom's suit, Hart Schaffner Marx

Menswear, Kenneth Cole

Lighting, MNFX

Bridesmaids' Gifts, Kendra Scott

Welcome Bags, Gracious Bridal