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 //
A Modern Wedding at Elske Restaurant | Jen + James | Chicago Wedding Photographer | Destination Wedding Photographer
A Modern Wedding at Elske REStaurant | Jen + James | Destination Wedding Photographer| Chicago Wedding Photographer | The EMILY HOTEL | Markarian Bride | TAXA FLORA
Jen and James started their day at The Emily Hotel, where they spent the morning with their closest family members while prepping for one of the most special days of their lives. They had their first look just outside of The Emily Hotel and then we strolled around the West Loop for their bridal portraits. When they arrived to Elske Restaurant, located in the heart of the West Loop, they spent time together with their families and just relaxing a bit before their ceremony started. At Elske, there is a lovely upstairs loft where they could watch all of their guests slowly come in before the ceremony that takes places in the downstairs courtyard. Rev Beth officiated their ceremony, and if you’re ever in the search of an officiant that can marry you and your partner anywhere in any venue and with the most thoughtful words, she is your girl.
It’s always important to have a venue that you love aesthetically and feels like you, and Elske was just the place for a beautiful outdoor ceremony, Michelin Star dinner and a solid dance party overflowing into the coutyard. Also, if you haven’t been to Elske yet or if you ever plan to visit Chicago, it’s an amazing Michelin star, James Beard finalist, Jean Banchet award winning restaurant in one of the loveliest food lover neighborhoods of Chicago, the West Loop. When you have your wedding reception at Elske, they of course do one of the best dinners from their custom seasonal menu by their kitchen.
To end the evening, Jen changed into her second party dress by Lurelly, cut their lovely cake and danced the night away to DJ Major Taylor alongside their favorite people! I just love days like this one, relaxed, chill and simply beautiful all around! x
Wedding Venue - Elske Restaurant | Bridal Suite - The Emily Hotel | Wedding Dress - Markarian Bride | Second Wedding Dress - Lurelly | Wedding Bouquet, Table Decor and Ceremony Floral Installations - Taxa Flora | Engagement Ring and Wedding Band - Cities In Dust | Hair - Beauty By Ann Krause | Makeup - Emma Kopty | Groom Tux - Blvdier | Groom Shoes - Carmina Shoemaker | Reception DJ - DJ Major Taylor | Wedding Filmmaker - Braxton Wallis | Officiant - Rev Beth |
Elske Wedding | Chic Indian Ceremony & Rehearsal Dinner | Elske Indian Wedding
Elske Wedding | Chic Indian Ceremony & Rehearsal Dinner | Elske Indian Wedding | Chicago Indian Wedding Photographer | Michelin Star Restaurant Wedding Venue
Alyeesha and Joe decided to have their traditional Indian Ceremony during their rehearsal dinner with their families the night before their wedding day in downtown Chicago the next day. They had their Indian ceremony and dinner at a highly renowned Danish influenced restaurant, named Elske. They not only were James Beard finalists but they have a Michelin Star as well. The private second floor of Elske was the perfect place for them to decorate the space for an intimate Indian ceremony. Alyeesha had a beautiful program made for Joe’s family to share what every tradition meant and it was so sweet to learn along with everyone!
If you’re looking for an intimate space for your rehearsal dinner, wedding or even an intimate Indian ceremony, I could not recommend Elske enough. From the modern architecture and minimal design, to the uniquely Danish inspired food, to the wonderful service, this restaurant is the place to book if they’re available. I hope you enjoy these sweet images as much as I enjoyed capturing them! x
