Real Wedding: Kate & Mike!

An absolute favorite client of mine recently had her gorgeous wedding reception at the Peninsula Chicago.

Her late June wedding was a beautiful day that brides daydream about their entire lives.

The charming ceremony was held earlier in the afternoon at St. Clements, situated on a tree-lined street in the heart of Lincoln Park.

Upon arrival at The Peninsula, guests descended the grand staircase and passed through floor to ceiling curtains we added to create a more private, intimate setting for the cocktail hour. The curtains add much drama to the setting, while also framing the beautiful place card display perfectly. Cocktails were held in the foyer outside of the ballroom and on the stunning terrace overlooking the hustling and bustling Gold Coast summer activities.

The cream lamour curtains were held open and cinched with hand-tied bundles of summery flowers including hydrangea, roses and spray roses.

The seating assignments were arranged in a tidy spoke fashion, visually anchored by a collection of beautiful glass vases and compotes hosting varied gatherings of event flowers in muted hues. Varied forms of candlelight looked lovely as the sun began to set later in the evening.

Flowers and elements included open roses, hydrangea, peonies, viburnum, succulents and fresh mosses.

The curtains were closed just before guests were invited to dinner in the Grand Ballroom, to add to the romantic, candlelit feeling. As the sun set later in the evening, the curtains were re-opened revealing stunning city views and night lights.

We did a collection of elevated centerpieces and lower tabletop centerpieces. The lush and tailored garden arrangements were elegant, sophisticated and romantic – fit for Carolyn Rhome herself.

Coordinating flowers were accented by unique foliages including graceful maidenhair fern fronds, velvety broadleaf geranium foliage and muted dusty miller.

The elevated centerpieces will designed atop elegant glass vases – well above guests sightlines. To detail the tabletop, a collection of three vintage glass budvases hosted varied floral gatherings, while a trio of warm amber hurricanes added a twinkle around the room.

The low centerpieces were designed in footed glass compote bowls and hosted equally beautiful gardney arrangements.

The bridesmaids carried adorable bouquets designed with a fluffy base of green hydrangea. Butter yellow, antique pink and warm apricot roses were nestled into the hydrangea for a tailored, rounded bouquet.

Each setting was detailed with a glass beaded charger plate, topped with a folded napkin enhanced with a silk ribbon and a menu card scribed in the perfect shade of matching sage green.

I wish Kate and Mike (and their Hollywood-worthy-good-looks!) a lifetime of happiness! Perhaps they’ll renew their vows next year with an equally smashing celebration!

photo credits: outside of the peninsula – annie leibovitz for the peninsula. all additional images compliments of erica barraca