Villa Medicea Di Lilliano Wedding | Tuscany Wedding Venue | Italy Destination Wedding Photographer
Villa Medicea Di Lilliano Wedding | Tuscany Wedding Venue | Italy Destination Wedding Photographer
Shannon and Patrick had their destination wedding day at the iconic Villa Medicea Di Lilliano, just outside of the city center of Florence. It really is one of the best locations in Tuscany for a wedding day, as your guests can easily choose to stay in the city center of Florence, not have to rent a car, and just TaXi to and from the Tuscan countryside wedding venue, Which is what my husband and I did for this wedding weekend. But you could also stay at a lovely rental villa in the countryside of Tuscany and rent a car for the more rural vibes as well. So if you know you have wedding guests that happen to love a good cup of craft coffee, michelin resturants and art or history museums, as well as vineyards in the tuscan countryside, this wedding venue would be truly perfect for your wedding guests to have either experience. Basically, I cannot rave enough about the perfect location of Villa Medicea Di Lilliano for your destination Italian wedding venue.
“Villa Medicea Di Lilliano is one of the best destination wedding venues in Tuscany for your wedding guests to either stay in the heart of Florence or in the Tuscan countryside.”
Shannon and patrick both started their wedding day mornings by staying overnight at one of the beautiful villa accommodations that Villa Medicea Di Lilliano offers. They had a courtyard, a private pool and beautiful balconies overlooking the Italian hills. I arrived just in time to enjoy an espresso the bride as she was having the most relaxed and calm morning of getting ready while Lilia did her makeup and epic hair.
as the Morning light spilled over the rolling Tuscan hills at villa medicea di lilliano, Shannon and Patrick continued to spend their wedding day morning surrounded by the quiet romance of the countryside. With the expert guidance of destination wedding planner rebecca marie weddings, the villa was filled with excited anticipation while Shannon got ready, her look brought to life by lilia mullinger bridal. She slipped into her timeless wedding gown by atelier arielle, fastening family-heirloom jewelry and a veil she lovingly handmade herself. Patrick prepared nearby in a sharply tailored tuxedo from p johnson tailors, having chill moments with his best friends and brother before the day unfolded. Every detail was thoughtfully photographed by myself with all of the behind-the-scenes moments were captured by wedding content creator visuals by stacey.
“surrounded by olive orchards and the chianti countryside, Villa Medicea Di Lilliano was a perfect place to have their italian destination wedding.”
The garden ceremony felt effortlessly intimate, framed by surrounding vineyards and manicured hedges and garden walls that seemed to glow under the Tuscan sun. As guests gathered, Shannon walked down the aisle toward Patrick, their vows were said on the historic grounds and so many tears were had between them and their guests. The setting was timeless, the atmosphere warm and heartfelt, and the moment felt suspended in time. It was truly a stunning wedding rooted in place and presence. Their rings by zia merrick sealed the promise to each other.
Cocktail hour flowed naturally through the villa gardens, with laughter, clinking glasses with custom drinks. Guests really enjoyed the views of Tuscany, since most of them were from america and other countries. while Shannon and Patrick slipped away for more couples and bridal portraits at sunset, the sky turned shades of pink and purple over the garden and villa’s stone walls. The light wrapped around them as if the countryside itself were celebrating, creating portraits that felt both cinematic and deeply personal to their wedding day.
As night fell, a candle-lit long table dinner awaited beneath twinkling string lights and a canopy of stars. The outdoor setting glowed with warmth as ciabatti ricevimenti served a beautifully crafted meal that honored local tradition, mainly delicious pasta that everyone, including myself, was raving about. Candles flickered, music drifted through the evening air, and the villa felt alive with joy. Everyone went inside the villa for cake and some solid tunes for dancing, provided by the best Destination Wedding DJ, will maden. It was a magical ending to a Tuscan wedding day. Villa Medicea Di Lilliano made for such a romantic, intentional, and unforgettable wedding venue to host a dreamy italian destination wedding day. In the end, every detail came together in perfect harmony.
“If you’re still searching for a historic wedding venue in the heart of italy, Villa Medicea Di Lilliano is a beautiful option to host all of your loved ones for your once in a lifetime destination wedding.”
This was such a sweet moment of pure Joy-filled hugs by Rebecca Marie,
just after their garden ceremony at Villa Medicea Di Lilliano.
Also, Lilia, the best MUA, kept her makeup looking flawless
all day long with quick little touch ups!
THE LOVELY WEDDING SUPPLIER TEAM
Destination Wedding Planner @rebeccamarieweddings
Destination Wedding Photography - @melodyjoyco
Tuscany Wedding Venue - @villamediceadililliano
Hair and Makeup Artist - @liliamullingerbridal
Wedding Content Creator - @visuals.bystacey
Wedding Dress Designer - @atelierarielle
Destination Wedding DJ - @willmaden_dj
Wedding Jewelry - family heirlooms
Groom's Tuxedo - @pjohnsontailors
Wedding Veil - Handmade by bride
wedding florals - a dear friend
Catering - @ciabatti_ricevimenti
Wedding Rings - @ziamerrick
Chicago Wedding Photographer | Elske Restaurant Wedding in the West Loop of Chicago | Kelly + Sam | Downtown Chicago Wedding Photographer
Chicago Wedding Photographer | Elske Restaurant Wedding in the West Loop of Chicago | Kelly + Sam | Downtown Chicago Wedding Photographer
I truly love photographing Wedding Days in Chicago. Kelly and Sam had the perfect blend of that downtown chicago and west loop wedding vibe for their wedding day. They started by getting ready separately at The Emily Hotel in The West Loop and then had a first look in a private room together on one of the top floors of the hotel. We then headed straight for the Chicago River for Bridal portraits, as it’s the center of all of the skyscrapers and beautiful architectural views within the city. On a side note, if you’ve never done a boat architecture tour in downtown chicago, I would highly recommend it whenever you’re in town. I’ve done it multiple times, and you see new things and hear new facts every single time. it’s such a beautiful way to see the city.
Also, a little love note to Kelly’s wedding dress, which I was absolutely in love with. her top was a bespoke corset designed by Ma Corsetière. And if you haven’t seen her custom work, I would highly encourage you to go and view her website. Not only are her corsets stunning, but she has options for ready to wear as well as being capable of designing your dream vision of a corset for your wedding day, rehearsal dinner or welcome party look.
So back to the wedding day, we strolled in and out of the streets and alleyways of downtown Chicago. And thankfully kelly and sam are so similar to me with appreciating light, textures and downtown architecture, so I was able to freely search for pockets of light to have them interact with each other in. Truly, whenever a couple has complete trust in you for portraits, the whole day is so relaxed and enjoyable for everyone. This day was exactly that, just so much joy in strolling and chatting with these two downtown before we headed off to Elske.
Now if you aren’t sure what Elske is, it’s one of the loveliest restaurants in the west loop neighborhood of Chicago. It not only is a one star michelin fine dining danish restuarant with lovely interiors, but it also has a stunning courtyard garden that is perfect for quaint ceremonies and a lovely private space upstairs for guests to relax in a lounge setting. If you’re planning an intimate wedding day in Chicago, I would highly recommend putting Elske on your list of venues to visit as an option for your ceremony and legitimately delicious full course menu for your wedding guests.
When we arrived to Elske, we took a few portraits upstairs and then in the courtyard garden before their family arrived for family portraits. And just before the ceremony, the couple hung out at the private lounge upstairs whilst the rest of the wedding guests arrived in the courtyard. They were greeted with champagne by the elske staff and the couple even had a toast with everyone in the middle of their wedding ceremony, which are the details I love on intimate wedding days. And of course, one of the best chicago wedding florist designers, Bottle and Branch, did a beautiful job of decorated the floral installation for the wedding ceremony backdrop, as well as kelly’s beautiful draping bouquet (which you can see in her bridal portraits we took in downtown Chicago below) and the mini floral designed arrangements on the reception tables.
And on a side note, just because your wedding day is intimate, doesn’t mean you want any less experiences. IT could be intimate literally for the size of wedding guests, which means that you go more “all out” on guest experiences with your closest loved ones around you that you choose to celebrate with. For this reason, it was so lovely to see everyone enjoy one of my favorite plated custom dishes from the Elske Menu while they all were able to enjoy dinner together.
There were sweet speeches, lots of film cameras passed around by loved ones, sweet chats between Kelly and her grandma, and of course lots of love filled this chicago wedding day. And as always, I’m always honored to be there to photograph naturally such meaningful and memorable moments from these once in a lifetime wedding days in Chicago. I adore you both, Kelly and sam, and cheers to a beautiful life spent together! x
“An intimate chicago Wedding day is always a favorite of mine to photograph. I love documenting weddings in the most
natural of ways for every couple.”
Chicago Wedding Venue - Elske Restaurant // Chicago West Loop hotel - The Emily hotel // Chicago Wedding photographer - Melody Joy CO. // Bespoke Bridal Corset - Ma Corsetière // Chicago Florist - Bottle and Branch //
Tenuta Corbinaia Villa Wedding In Tuscany | Tuscany, Italy Wedding Venue | Italy Destination Wedding Photographer
Tenuta Corbinaia Villa Wedding In Tuscany | Tuscany, Italy Wedding Venue | Italy Destination Wedding Photographer
A Luxury Destination Wedding at Tenuta Corbinaia Villa
Rosie & Louis had An Elegant Italian Countryside Celebration that was Set high in the rolling Chianti hills of the Italian countryside at Tenuta Corbinaia Villa in Tuscany, Italy. It is the kind of destination wedding venue that instantly stops you in your tracks. It hosts A renovated Tuscan Farmhouse with Farm estate accommodation, a winery with a cellar, and Surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and panoramic views stretching across the Tuscan landscape, this historic villa was the breathtaking setting for Rosie and Louis’ luxury destination wedding in Tuscany.
For couples dreaming of an Italian countryside wedding, Tenuta Corbinaia Toscana offers the perfect blend of rustic elegance and refined luxury. It’s secluded yet accessible (as it is only less than an hour from both florence and pisa), timeless yet effortlessly romantic and for Rosie and Louis, it was the only place that felt right to host their wedding day in Italy. And as a bride who was once searching for my own destination wedding venue, once you find the one, you will just know.
A Relaxed Morning in the Tuscan Countryside at VIlla Petriola
For Rosie, The wedding day began just a short distance away from the main wedding venue, at Villa Petriola, a luxury boutique hotel in Tuscany and an exceptional choice for bridal preparations. Known for its elegant interiors, peaceful gardens, and beautiful natural light, Villa Petriola is ideal for couples seeking a calm, elevated getting-ready experience before heading to their Tuscany wedding venue.
Rosie and her bridesmaids spent the morning soaking in the atmosphere of the Tuscan countryside out of their bridal suite window views. There was champagne flowing, sunlight pouring through the windows, and the quiet anticipation that only a destination wedding morning brings. From a storytelling perspective, Villa Petriola offered a serene contrast to the grandeur of Tenuta Corbinaia Villa, allowing the day to unfold slowly and intentionally. While the team at the main venue was spending the morning bustling around to design the beautiful atmosphere for the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception spaces, all of the ladies were able to relax in a charming boutique hotel not too far away.
Rosie wore a couture wedding gown by Galia Lahav, a design that felt both timeless and fashion-forward. Her look was completed by Ellie Parkhurst of Beautybyellieparkhurst, whose soft, luminous makeup enhanced Rosie’s natural beauty, and Mairead of Wedlocks, who styled her hair in a romantic, effortless way, which was perfectly suited to a summer wedding in Tuscany.
Meanwhile, Louis prepared before making his way to Tenuta Corbinaia Villa in Tuscany, dressed in a classic tux from The Noble Suitor. His look was elegant and understated and was truly a perfect match for the refined atmosphere of a luxury villa wedding in Italy. his Groomsmen were also in all black and complimented him as they strolled around looking like Bond 007 vibes.
As guests arrived at Tenuta Corbinaia Toscana, they were welcomed by sweeping views of the Tuscan hills and the warm, historic charm that makes this venue so special. With its stone architecture, elevated position, and uninterrupted countryside views, Tenuta Corbinaia feels like a private escape, which is exactly what couples seek when planning a destination wedding in Italy, right? I personally believe so.
An Italian Outdoor Ceremony Overlooking the Tuscan Hills
The ceremony took place outdoors at Tenuta Corbinaia Villa, overlooking vineyards and rolling hills bathed in golden light. Designed by Roberto Fiori of monfleur.it, the floral arrangements complemented the landscape beautifully. The floral installations were soft, romantic blooms that felt organic to the setting and enhanced the natural beauty of the Tuscany wedding venue. The florals created a circle around the round stage that Rosie and Louis were married on.
As Rosie walked down the aisle, time seemed to slow. With the vast Tuscan countryside as their backdrop, Rosie and Louis exchanged vows in a ceremony that felt deeply personal, intimate, and timeless. This is what makes a wedding at Tenuta Corbinaia Villa in Tuscany, Italy, so unforgettable. All of the stillness, the views, and the sense that you are completely immersed in the landscape really made for a stunning wedding ceremony. I love capturing outdoor wedding ceremonies in Tuscany on my drone as well, for those birds eye view of the beautiful scenery all around the weddin venue, which in this case was so many lovely vineyards all around them.
A Poolside Cocktail Hour at Tenuta Corbinaia Villa in Tuscany
Following the ceremony, guests gathered for cocktail hour on the poolside terrace, where the beauty of Tenuta Corbinaia Toscana truly shines. The soft glow of the setting sun, the sound of conversation drifting across the hills, and the unmistakable atmosphere of an Italian summer created a magical transition into the evening.
The Catering for both cocktail hour and the reception was provided by Tonino of Ristorante Tonino cortona, whose authentic Italian cuisine was a highlight of the celebration. Fresh, beautifully prepared dishes reflected the flavours of Tuscany and elevated the entire guest experience. The drapery and curved table designs of endless cheese, olives and bread boards were exactly what couples envision when planning a luxury destination wedding in Italy.
As night fell, the reception unfolded beneath the stars at Tenuta Corbinaia, as they did their cake cutting of a classic italian wedding cake with a fireworks show in the background. From the round tables, candlelight and elegant florals an atmosphere was created that felt refined yet relaxed. It was the perfect balance for an Italian countryside wedding. Rosie later changed into her chic Milla Nova reception dress, ready to dance and celebrate well into the evening.
making endless memories with loved ones under the Tuscan Sky
Music carried the celebration from day to night, with Krystal Kuartet and Krystal entertainment italy providing live band performances and DJ services for both the ceremony and reception. Their seamless transitions kept the energy flowing and the dance floor full long after dinner ended. They even had a band going through the tables as everyone was eating dinner, and all of the guests really enjoyed the atmosphere that they brought to the evening!
Every moment I captured at this Italian destination wedding really made me appreciate being a destination wedding photographer. I just love visiting new parts of the world and feel inspired at every new wedding venue that I photograph at. From editorial yet natural poses, candid storytelling approach to documented the textures, light, and emotion of Tenuta Corbinaia Villa in Tuscany, all of it turned out so beautifully. I also loved working Alongside mdm wedding videography, who created a cinematic wedding film that reflected the soul of the day and they were a joy to work with from start to finish.
Also Adding a modern layer of storytelling, not only for tiktok but for years to come of memories, was Wedding Raw Memories, a luxury Italian wedding content creator. Elena captured so many memorable behind-the-scenes moments and real-time memories, allowing Rosie and Louis to relive their wedding day almost instantly the next day. I also really enjoyed watching all of the video clips from the day that I caught in stills. So if you’re looking for a content creator for your destination wedding in Italy, I couldn’t recommend Elena enough. She was genuinely so easy to work alongside, respectful and works the same way I do, which is mostly being in the background to capture everything naturally as moments are organically happening.
Tenuta Corbinaia Villa in Tuscany is the one of the best
Destination Wedding Venues in Italy
Rosie and Louis’ wedding perfectly captured everything couples dream of when planning a destination wedding in Tuscany. From a relaxed luxury morning at Villa Petriola, to an emotional ceremony and unforgettable reception at Tenuta Corbinaia Villa in Tuscany, Italy, every detail felt intentional, elevated, and deeply connected to the landscape. Also practically, this wedding venue had both indoor and outdoor spaces that were perfect for any kind of weather on a wedding day.
For couples still searching for a luxury Tuscany wedding venue, Tenuta Corbinaia Toscana offers something truly special. From their panoramic views, historic charm and italian architecture. The atmosphere just feels so effortlessly romantic. It’s not just a venue, but truly an experience of the Italian countryside at its most beautiful. I couldn’t recommend this wedding venue enough. rosie and Louis, thank you having me to photograph such an unforgettable day full of memories in your lives! x
Some of the Best Tuscany Wedding Suppliers
Tuscany Ceremony and Reception Venue - Tenuta Corbinaia Toscana
Italy Destination Wedding Photographer - Melody Joy Co.
A Luxury Boutique Hotel in Tuscany, perfect for Getting ready - Villa Petriolo
Tuscany Wedding Planner - Marilena Zambelli
Florist Company Name - Roberto Fiori of monfleur.it
Destination Wedding Makeup Artist - Ellie Parkhurst - Beautybyellieparkhurst
Destination Wedding Hair Stylist - Mairead of Wedlocks_
Wedding Dress Designer - Galia lahav
Reception Dress - Milla Nova
Groom's Tux - Noble Suitor - thenoblesuitor
Cocktail Hour + Reception Caterer - Tonino - Ristorante_Tonino_cortona
Ceremony/Reception Band and DJ - Krystal Kuartet - Band Krystalentertainmentitaly
Luxury Italian wedding Content Creator - Wedding Raw Memories (Elena was so lovely to work with!) Wedding Filmmaker - MDM Wedding - mdmwedding_videography (A very nice film team to work with!)
Dievole Wine Resort Wedding | Chianti Wine Region Wedding | Tuscany Wedding Venue | Tuscany Wedding Photography
Dievole Wine Resort Wedding | Chianti Wine Region Wedding | Tuscany Wedding Venue | Tuscany Wedding Photography
Rachel and Patrick’s wedding day at Dievole Wine Resort was an Italian dream. right in the heart of the Chianti classico Wine Region, set against the rolling vineyards, there is Dievole Wine Resort, a truly iconic Tuscany wedding venue. Surrounded by olive groves, cypress trees, and golden Tuscan light, their destination wedding captured everything that makes Tuscany so timeless, from the romantic sunsets, to the architectural history of the buildings and effortless beauty of the countryside. From the quiet morning moments to the candlelit evening celebrations, the atmosphere felt intimate, warm, and deeply personal.
“Dievole Wine Resort is one of the most beautiful
wedding venues in tuscany”
from the lovely italian inspired welcome dinner that included a stone fired heart shaped pizza, a live local band under string lights to the beautiful wedding day, Wedding in Wonderland made sure their destination wedding day had a refined elegance in the decor alongside the relaxed Italian charm. I do always feel like hiring a local planner, like the team at Wedding in Wonderland, is a great way to not have any language or cultural barriers on your wedding day, so all of the suppliers can work together seamlessly, from those traveling from out of the country to the local staff. The talented team at Le Petit Jardin created floral arrangements that complimented the Tuscan landscape, soft, organic blooms with a natural elegance that complemented the stone architecture and vineyard views of Dievole perfectly. The outdoor ceremony had two larger floral installations that looked over the Dievole vineyards and the outdoor reception had beautiful natural floral arrangements on the long connected table filled with candles and over arching lanterns.
Rachel’s bridal look was nothing short of breathtaking. She wore a gown by Kate Halfpenny of Halfpenny London, paired with a beautifully flowing designer wedding veil by Kate Halfpenny that caught the Tuscan breeze just right. it truly felt like a film when we strolled around for portraits with it flowing behind her. Her look was completed with Jimmy Choo bridal shoes and timeless Celine bridal jewellery. her incredibly talented Hair and make up artist were her friends from london, whome she had worked with many times on production shoots. Hair stylist Tommy Taylor and make up artist Mattie White created a look that felt iconic yet really natural, allowing Rachel’s beauty to shine effortlessly on such a memorable day for her. It’s so important for your getting ready team to be on the same page as you beforehand, and also just loving their personalities is a solid thing as well, as they will really be there to set the tone of the rest of your wedding day with their chat and making you feel relaxing and excited for the wedding day ahead.
“Rachel’s iconic wedding dress and long veil was from the
stunning designer, halfpenny london”
Patrick looked equally refined in a tailored suit by Fielding and Nicholson, styled with classic Christian Louboutin shoes for a modern, sophisticated and red bottomed finish. As guests gathered for the ceremony overlooking the Chianti hills with their glasses of Dievole wine in hand, live string musicians curated by Chiara Trallori Music Planner set the tone with elegant, emotive sounds. The cocktail hour was in the courtyard of Dievole Wine Resort and this is when the bride, groom, bridal party and a few family members were able to step away for a few images and then head back to enjoy the wine and spread of italian hors d'oeuvres with their loved ones.
Just as sunset was about to take place, the wedding guests were called over to have dinner at their long dining table outside under the trees in the back garden of Dievole Wine Resort. Speeches were made, a delicious dinner was served (I wish meat was more romantic to talk about, but it was honestly just so good and the bride and groom had a whole mound of it!) It also rained during dinner, but that only made the night feel more magical and unforgettable. You know what they say, that “it’s good luck if it rains on your wedding day.” The wedding planning team and wedding staff really went with the flow and had umbrellas for everyone, which everyone seemed to really enjoy the umbrella overhangs. After the cake cutting, to end the night, The Gloves Band brought energy and italian party vibes to the evening, filling the night with dancing, surprise confetti, pulling guests up to sing, dance competitions and endless memories.
it was genuinely a joy to capture this Destination Wedding day at Dievole Wine Resort. When the trust is there, the day really is such a beautiful memory for me as well! And it was also a great time working Alongside, Liam of Soby Films, who filmed the entire day on film. Rachel and patrick’s wedding day at Dievole Wine Resort was truly a tuscan vibe and is definitely a destination wedding to be remembered for years to come. x
“even in the rain, Dievole Wine Resort was the perfect wedding venue for an outdoor ceremony and an outdoor candlelit wedding reception”
The lovely Wedding Suppliers for this Tuscan wedding day
Chianti Wine Region and Tuscany Wedding Venue - Dievole Wine Resort in Chianti Classico
Destination Wedding Photographer - Melody Joy Co.
Tuscany Wedding Planner - Wedding in Wonderland
Florist Company Name - Le Petit Jardin
Hair Artist - Tommy Taylor
Make up Artist - Mattie White
Bride's Wedding Dress - Kate Halfpenny of Half penny london
Designer Wedding Veil - Kate Halfpenny
Bridal Shoes - Jimmy Choo
Bridal Jewellery - Celine
Groom's Shoes - christian louboutin
Groom's Suit - fielding and nicholson
Musicians - Chiara trallori music planner
Musicians - the gloves band
Wedding Filmmaker - Liam of Soby films
A Chic Wedding Reception at Chez Wedding Venue | Dominique + Anthony | Chicago Wedding Photographer | Destination Wedding Photographer
A Chic Wedding Reception at chez wedding venue | Dominique + Anthony | Revel Decor | Champagne Tower | OSCAR DE La Renta Dress | Chicago Wedding Photographer | Destination Wedding Photographer
Dominique and Anthony decided to do a pre-wedding day celebration with their friends and family in Chicago by renting out Chez Wedding Venue in the heart of downtown Chicago and created a stunning atmosphere for their wedding cocktail party! They had the amazing team at Revel Decor design the decor and floral installations, which speak for themselves in the images below. Then Limelight Catering created custom cocktails (again, just browse the images below) that were truly unique and matched the decor as well! The candy floss, cloud shaped Cocktails were my favorite aesthetically! Chez Wedding Venue is a blank slate, with a grand staircase and loft looking over a high ceiling room with pillars and tall windows. It is all white, so any color palette you want to create will be able to happen seamlessly in Chez. I particularly loved this monochromatic palette that Revel Decor created in the space, and I honestly assume my clients book me because we’re already on the same page with our palette preferences, thankfully, because each and every wedding day I shoot, they seem to have my same taste, which I am extremely grateful for.
I always get excited when couples do things their way. Dominique and Anthony decided to get married in a more intimate way with just a few close family members and friends in Italy, so this wedding cocktail party was meant to include everyone they knew and loved in the Chicago area! They even had the talented DJ Matt Roan set the tempo all night and he never misses a beat, both literally and figuratively. The team at Limelight Catering, under the Revel Group, always presents their food so well. There is a full kitchen hidden in Chez, and they had their staff walking around with long clear trays filled with plates with full courses on them, from the apps, to a main meat dish, to the desserts. There were tables on the sides for the more chill guests, but those in the middle at the bar and on the dance floor were able to pick up a plate as they passed by. The whole evening felt like a mix of an epic dance party reception at a club, but also had the chicness of a fancy cocktail party! Everyone was also dressed to the nines, as Dominique was in a stunning Oscar de la Renta Gown and Anthony was in a full on look from Wool & Linen. And of course there was no one better to do her hair, then the lovely Alex Brown Hair. Truly, I’m obsessed with all of the beautiful hair styles she creates for her clients. The bride and groom’s personal style is one of my favorite aesthetic parts of a wedding day, so the fact that this cocktail party checked all of those boxes, really made this a memorable wedding event for me. They also did the Champagne tower justice as well! Such a fun way to start off the evening and the toasts from their loved ones! All in all, Chez Wedding Venue was an incredibly perfect space for Revel Decor, alongside Dominique and Anthony’s vision, to create a chic atmosphere that was perfect for their stylish wedding celebration in Chicago! x
Wedding Planning + Design - Revel Decor | Florist - Revel Decor | Hair Stylist - Alex Brown Hair | Wedding Reception Dress - Oscar de la Renta | Wedding Shoes - Gianvito Rossi | Groom Tailored Suit - Wool & Linen | Bride + Groom Rings - Ancona Jewelers | Chicago Modern Wedding Reception Venue - Chez Wedding Venue | Cocktail Hour + Wedding Reception Caterers - Limelight Catering from Revel Global Events | Reception DJ - DJ Matt Roan | Photobooth - Snapbooth Chicago |
Chicago City Hall Elopement | Samantha + Joe | Chicago Wedding Photographer | Destination Wedding Photographer
Chicago City Hall Elopement | Samantha + Joe | Chicago Wedding Photographer | Vivienne Westwood | Alex Brown Hair | Miranda
Cary MUA | Raulph LAUREN
RL RESTAURANT
Sam (the stylish, hilarious and “worth following along online” bride) and her endearing partner Joe decided to have an intimate wedding ceremony before their larger celebration with friends in Mexico. So they decided to have a Chicago City Hall Elopement with their closest family members. We met at City Hall, where they had gotten their marriage certificate and then we strolled around the historic building to take their bridal portraits. Sam was wearing a chic all white shoulder padded suit with a stunning choker from Vivienne Westwood. Her makeup was done by the talented Miranda Cary and her hair was done by the amazing Alex Brown Hair. Both ladies are some of the best hair and makeup artists in Chicago. We also did a bit of strolling around La Salle, because that street has some of the loveliest building architecture and textures for portrait backdrops.
After the bridal portraits downtown we left the Chicago City Hall area and headed towards the Chicago River. The Chicago River is the perfect backdrop for a wedding ceremony, as it creates an open space amidst the skyscrapers in downtown Chicago. They decided to pick a space that was near somewhere meaningful to them, so we settled in a beautiful inlet of the sidewalk in the center of the city. There family was all waiting for them to arrive as they walked up. They had the lovely Rev Beth of Rev Beth Weddings officiate the wedding ceremony and she is one of my favorite officiants in Chicago. The way she words things so personably, is open to any kind of couple (no matter the background or religion) and is flexible to meet you anywhere to perform your wedding ceremony, she is simply the sweetest. They exchanged wedding rings and said ‘I do’ in front of all of their loved ones in the city center. After the ceremony there were many family hugs, kisses, selfies and heart warming smiles.
Joe helped Samantha get into a luxury SUV where they had their vintage bottle of Dom Perignon Champagne and cuddles before heading to meet their family members at the Ralph Lauren RL Restaurant. At the RL Restaurant the two of them stopped off for a drink and private cheers in the bar area and then joined the rest of their family at the dinner table. They did things the best way possible, cake first. A delicious cake was brought to them straight after being seated and they didn’t just cut it, but ate it and I love that about Same and Joe! They had a family toast and then enjoyed the rest of their evening together making memories around the dinner table with the ones they love. I really appreciate being able to capture such personal and intimate memories in couples lives. Sam and Joe, the stylish newlyweds that you are, I absolutely adore you both and your sweet and spicy personalities! x
Downtown Chicago Wedding Venue - Chicago City Hall | Wedding Outfit - White Blazer Shoulder Padded Suit | Choker Necklace - Vivienne Westwood Three Row Pearl Bas Relief Choker | Chicago Hair Stylist - Alex Brown Hair | Chicago Wedding Makeup Artist - Miranda Cary MUA | Chicago Wedding Officiant - Rev Beth Weddings | Intimate Wedding Dinner Reception - Ralph Lauren RL Restaurant
Glen Magna Farms Wedding | Historic Mansion Wedding Venue | Carolina + Matthew | Boston Wedding Photographer | Destination Wedding Photographer
Glen Magna Farms Wedding | Historic Mansion Wedding Venue | Kerry Parker Official | Boston Wedding Photographer | Destination Wedding Photographer
What can I say about the beautiful, historic city of Boston? I just love the city so much for it’s history in America (very proud American over here!), so whenever Carolina asked me to capture her and Matthew’s wedding day in a beautiful venue on the outskirt of the city, I couldn’t be more excited! Glen Magna Farms is a historic mansion country estate that is located just outside of Boston near a little town called Salem (yes, where the Housewives of NYC went). I almost stayed in Salem, but Boston was also just an Uber ride away from the venue, so we stayed in downtown Boston and just commuted to Glen Magna Farms from the city on the day of (as I’m such a city girl and needed the architecture, endless craft coffee and quality food options).
So, back to Carolina and Matthew’s lovely wedding day… Carolina started her day at a boutique hotel in Salem. There is where she had her hair and makeup team doll everyone up. Lady Luxe Beauty and That Skin Babe did such a lovely job and were so friendly to work alongisde! Then the bridal party took a party bus over to Glen Magna Farms and did the rest of the getting ready in the stunning Bridal Suite upstairs in the historic, colonial mansion on the property. From outside of her window, she was able to overlook the Glen Magna Farms garden where her ceremony was about to take place. Carolina had a stunning, architectural BHLDN wedding gown, and one of my favorite parts of her wedding outfit were her custom sheer gloves by Kerry Parker Official. Carolina also did an intimate first look with her dad in the bridal suite before he walked her down the aisle. The ceremony was held in the lush outdoor garden of Glen Magna Farms. I honestly love garden ceremonies, and this one was so romantic with string music from live musicians, the beautiful scents of the florals, arrangements from MM Floral Designs to the guests being off to the side vs right in front of them, made for a more intimate experience.
After the ceremony Carolina and Matthew headed to the gardens for a few bridal portraits and to spend some time together alone before joining all of their guests back at the main estate where there were yard games and hors d'oeuvres being served. Once everyone was called into the outdoor tent, dinner was served while speeches by their family and friends were made. The dinner was top notch and catered by the lovely individuals from Vinwood Catering. Then the first dances commenced after dinner with an amazing live band in the background, called Soul City Band. The night ended with petal confetti outside of the tent and a beautiful send off by friends and family. Glen Magna Farms really was a beautiful wedding venue to have an intimate outside wedding just on the outskirts of Boston. x
Wedding Venue near Boston - Glen Magna Farms Historic Mansion | Wedding Dress - BHLDN Anthropologie | Custom Wedding Gloves - Kerry Parker Official | Boston Wedding Hair Stylist - Lady Luxe Beauty | Boston Skin Specialist - That Skin Babe | Boston Wedding Florist - MM Floral Designs | Boston Live Wedding Band - Soul City Band | Boston Wedding Caterers - Vinwood Caterers | Boston Tent Company - The Event Co. | Boston Wedding Filmmakers - Shutter and Sound |
Intimate Downtown Wedding | RPM Seafood Wedding Reception | Chicago Wedding Photographer | The Peninsula Hotel | Destination Wedding Photographer
Intimate Downtown Wedding | RPM Seafood Wedding Reception | The Peninsula Hotel | Destination Micro Wedding | Chicago Wedding photographer
Liza and Rick decided to have their wedding day be an intimate and romantic one. They started their day getting ready at The Peninsula Hotel together. I think it’s really sweet when couples do that, especially for those who may have nerves and don’t want that build up tension of a formal first look and it gives you a chance to spend the whole morning with your partner. They had a car service rented for the afternoon, which took us to all of the locations in the city where they wanted photos together. Honestly, if you’re up in the air about hiring a car (limo, party bus, etc), trust me, it’s definitely worth it. This gives you the chance to hop in and out of the car while the driver is waiting at every corner for you, and you don’t have to drive around searching for parking or calling Uber’s, which can take such valuable time away from you both on your wedding day, and gives you more freedom to enjoy drinks or your favorite snacks during your ride around town.
Liza and Rick rented a private room in RPM Seafood that has a balcony overlooking the Chicago River and has some of the best views of downtown. They had a small wedding ceremony there with a few of their closest family members and friends. I love how every couple make their day unique, whether it’s a large party into the night or a sweet, intimate dinner with a view, like this day was, I am always happy to document such a memorable and meaningful day in couples lives. x
A Modern San Francisco Wedding | Pali Society Hotel | The Palace of Fine Arts | Hadassah + Reshawn | Destination Wedding Photographer
A Modern San Francisco Wedding at The Palace of Fine Arts | Hadassah + Reshawn | Pali Society Hotel | Liz Martinez Bridal | The Firehouse at Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture | Destination Wedding Photographer
Reshawn and Hadassah started their wedding day getting ready separately at Hotels with their loved ones, so that the first time he would see Hadassah would be when she was walking down the aisle at The Palace of Fine Arts. Reshawn spent his morning at the Fisher Loft Lounge on the second floor of the Pali Society Hotel in San Francisco. His attire was one of the cleanest I’ve ever seen, from his all white Common Good shoes and a custom designed suit by Waraire Boswell. Hadasshah wore the most elegant long sleeved gown from En Blanc Bridal Boutique in LA, designed by Liz Martinez Bridal. Together they wed under the main archway at The Palace of Fine Arts, one of the most beautiful places to get married in San Francisco. After they said “I do” we all headed to the downtown area of SF fort them to take portraits together while walking along the unique and hilly streets of the city. We ended the portraits by a beautiful scene of them embracing oceanside with the full view of the Golden Gate bridge in the background. They ended the evening at the Firehouse at Fort Mason, with a laid back and beautiful reception space to celebrate with their closest friends and family. Along with a local coffee cart, charcuterie boards and a churro truck, that’s all you really need for a delicious evening! They had a lit dance party and then a line of friends greeted them as they rolled out in their Mercedes into the beautiful San Francisco sunset.
Bride Dress Designer - Liz Martinez Bridal // Bridal Dress Boutique - En Blanc LA // Florist - R&R Apothecary X Bouquet Bar @rrapothecary // Filmmaker - Hunter Floyd Films // Groom Custom Suit Designer - Waraire Boswell // Shoes - Common Projects // Boutique Hotel - Pali Society San Francisco // Lounge - Fisher Loft San Francisco // San Francisco Ceremony Venue - The Palace of Fine Arts // Reception Venue - The Firehouse at Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture
Varca Bridal | Chicago Wedding Dress Designer | Melody Joy Co.
Varca Bridal | Chicago Wedding Dress Designer | Melody Joy Co.
I’m always amazed at the detail that Sarah puts into her gown collections. Varca’s latest bridal collection has so many interesting sleeves, cuts, fabrics and even removable extensions! So anyone from the more minimal to the more extra bride has something they can relate to! Varca names all of her gowns after names of women who has inspired them and her! Go check out Varca’s Instagram to see the names for each individual gown. Below are a few of my favorite images of each wedding dress, taken in her new studio space.
Sarah, of Varca Bridal, designed and is making me a custom wedding dress! I could not be more excited about having one of her custom pieces. Ever since she reached out to me about a shoot a few years ago, I instantly fell in love with her style and her as a person! If you’re looking for someone to make you a custom gown that will feel 100 percent like you mixed with Sarah’s creative energy, then definitely reach out to be one of her few custom brides that she takes on each year. I feel so honored to be one of them for this year!
Let me know if you all have any favorites, my favorite from her collection is definitely the VERONICA, and not just because I grew up collecting and ready Archie Comics endlessly. The sleeves are just amazing and totally give the dress that 19th century glam. The earrings that Sarah paired with each dress for this shoot were handmade by Ashley Jordan, of the Fashion Collective. Her earring line is called Akin Studio. Ashley’s statement earrings are all made of polymer clay and compliment Varca’s wedding gowns beautifully.
The hair for this shoot was done by Juan José of Hair by Juan José. His personality is exactly what you want on your wedding day, smiley, fun, just a joy to be around! And of course he created the perfect relaxed updo’s to compliment these beautifully detailed and structured gowns. All of the makeup for this collection shoot was done by the lovely Alyssa of Makeup by Alyssa Cruz. Her soft smokey eyes and natural tones are exactly what a bride should want on their wedding day so they feel a bit done up, but also feel like themselves. These soft hair and makeup I believe are the perfect way to feature your Varca dress or any wedding dress on a wedding day. I’m just all about the natural hair and makeup look for any occasion, personally.
Well enough of my words and badly written sentences, enjoy scrolling through all of the beauty that Varca has created for her brides this year. Truly honored to capture such beautiful works of art, as that is exactly what they are. x
Wedding Dress Collection - Varca Bridal / Makeup - Alyssa Cruz / Hair - Juan José / Photography - Melody Joy Co. / Wedding Jewelry - Ashley Jordan of Akin Studio, Fashion Collective / Models - Vinithra + Leilani
Revel Fulton Market Wedding | Urban Chic Downtown Wedding | Modern Chicago Wedding Photographer
Revel Fulton Market Wedding | Urban Chic Downtown Wedding | Revel Space Luxury Venue | Modern Chicago Wedding Photographer
If you’re interested in an urban-chic and modern wedding day, this is the wedding day to be inspired by. Jeannie and Tom chose to get ready in the center of the Chicago skyscrapers and had their wedding day end with a late night reception at Revel Fulton Market in the West Loop. They had their first look on a rooftop balcony of a skyscraper with the whole city skyline in the background. Then we strolled around the streets in the west loop for portraits with their bridal party and just the two of them before heading to their church for a romantic and heartfelt ceremony. Everything from Jeannie’s minimal Sarah Seven wedding dress to her Christian Louboutin Heels, to the simple and modern details of her wedding reception at Revel Fulton Market, it all blended perfectly to create the idyllic urban-chic wedding day.
If you are looking for a wedding space to transform with minimal details and has upscale, modern amenities, Revel Fulton Market is your venue! I have shot at so many industrial warehouse wedding venues in Chicago, but Revel Fulton Market, of the Revel Space group, really blew me away. I love how the exposed brick was painted white and the floors were cemented. The lighting was minimal and created a beautiful and romantic ambiance for the evening. I really love when couples find a space that fits with the city and their attire. And this wedding venue really shows off how the industrial era of Chicago really was the foundation of the city. I just love seeing old warehouses in Chicago becoming wedding venues after being restored and architects and designers coming in to create amazing spaces for events. Truly, visit Revel Fulton Market if you’re still searching for an urban, minimal wedding venue in Chicago.
Chicago Wedding Venue - Revel Fulton Market - Revel Space | Wedding Dress - Sarah Seven | Bride Wedding Shoes - Christian Louboutin Heels | Bridal Hair and Makeup, Luxury Beauty Boutique- Arch Chicago | Wedding Ceremony - Holy Family Catholic Church | Wedding Reception DJ - Ten Twelve Entertainment | Wedding Filmmaker - Shutter and Sound | Second Shooter - Alisha Tova | Wedding Photo Booth - Photique Booth | Chicago Wedding Florist - Revel Decor
If you’d like me to capture your wedding day or just want to chat with me to see how I can help you create something beautiful on your wedding day, reach out on my contact page below!