Real Wedding…Cristina & Shane!

The highly sought-after and always charming Renny Pedersen of Bliss Weddings and Events came to me months ago to help out with her lovely client’s wedding design.

Cristina’s wedding was recently held at The Chicago Cultural Center, one of my absolute favorite venues in Chicago.

Cristina was inspired by natural design, slightly organic in it’s elements and style. She loved the idea of sharing an evening inspired by the sumptuous beauty of Napa Valley with family and friends.

I was immediately inspired by her vision and was thrilled to help pull the visual details of her wedding ceremony and reception together.

The reception took place in Preston Bradley Hall, with the massive east windows overlooking the incredible view of Millennium Park.

Simple champagne colored linens provided a sophisticated neutral backdrop for two centerpiece designs.

Guests were seated at rectangular tables, as opposed to the more expected round tables, allowing for the art of conversation.

The remarkable mosaic detailing is breathtaking. The simple addition of up-lights highlighted the detailed craftsmanship.

The elevated centerpieces were woven with silvery blue fresh olive branch, laden with the seasonal, ripe fruits. The base of the custom-made trees hosted a landscape of knobby roots and grapevine along with fern foliage, dahlias and roses.

Rustic mason jar votive candles dangled from branches adding a gorgeous glow around the room.

Renny hired Frost Lighting to pin-spot each centerpiece, letting the gorgeous designs really stand out when guests entered the room.

The lower centerpieces were designed in custom richly stained wooden rectangular boxes. David Gould (Botanicals head designer and my personal hero!) was the hands-on master that took all of the gorgeous elements that I proposed and created a rolling landscape composed of wood stumps, fresh grapes, hydrangea, dahlias, roses, purple fountain grass and gorgeous gorgeous folaiges including fern plants, woolly lambs ear and dusty miller to name a few. Rich burgundy pillar candles were nestled into the design and flickered just below eye-level.

The wedding was stunning, the couple looked like they were floating on air and Bliss Weddings and Events pulled off another seamless and dreamy affair – thanks for including us!

{photo credits} event images taken by erica barraca