Journal - The Joinery

Once again, I get to share my love for smaller weddings. There is just such ease that comes along with them, and it feels like theres so much room to feel the love and really soak in the day. The bride and groom's wedding party only consisted of the best man and maid of honor, their absolute best friends. The ladies spent the morning in their pjs while getting ready and sharing endless laughs together. The guys reminisced and enjoyed the view out of their amazing hotel room at the LondonHouse Hotel. Waking up next to the Chicago River right in the heart of downtown and being amongst the skyline isn't a bad way to start your wedding day. We then hopped in separate limos, and left for the ceremony. When we got to the venue, it instantly became one of my favorites. The Joinery is exactly what you would think a modern Chicago wedding would look and feel like. There's the cool industrial vibe everyone is looking for right now, it's full of light and color, and it has that special neighborhood feel you can only get in the city. Back to the wedding. It was so sweet to see how nervous and excited the groom was. Listening to him tell his best man how much he loves his soon-to-be wife in anticipation was one of the most precious moments of the day. The time was finally here. The groom walks in to a ceremony full of the couple's dearest friends and family, and she is waiting just outside. The large red doors close as she gets ready for her grand entrance. When they open once again, the whole room turns to see her beaming with joy, and everyone is smiling back at her as wide as possible. The ceremony was was made-up of sweet words from their guests, and it was all sealed with a kiss. Guests were then invited outside on the patio to enjoy cocktail hour as the sun was setting. While they enjoyed their drinks and delicious appetizers, venue staff was hard at work resetting the space for dinner. The room was filled with candlelight and the gorgeous dark and moody flowers the bride picked out. Once it was time for everyone to come back inside, the doors opened and jaws were on the floor. There was a warm glow radiating through wedding for the rest of the night and creating the perfect ambiance to match the emotion of the day. Seeing such sweet people be surrounded by genuine adoration on the day they say "I do" makes this job so meaningful. I hope everyone has a wedding overflowing with this much love.