Intimate Downtown Chicago Wedding

I’ve fallen completely in love with this intimate Chicago wedding captured by Elizabeth Nord Photography. They chose a downtown restaurant for their venue and it is such a fun and unique backdrop. How cool is the ceremony ‘altar’? You can really tell this couple had their guests’ comfort in mind in creating an intimate and inviting space to celebrate!

We had a non-traditional wedding. The restaurant we chose was able to accommodate a ceremony on their third floor, cocktail hour on the second floor and a reception-style reception back on their third floor. We wanted to incorporate both of our favorite colors in the day: green, navy blue, and champagne.

intimate downtown wedding | Elizabeth Nord Photography | Glamour & Grace

intimate downtown wedding | Elizabeth Nord Photography | Glamour & Grace

intimate downtown wedding | Elizabeth Nord Photography | Glamour & Grace

intimate downtown wedding | Elizabeth Nord Photography | Glamour & Grace

intimate downtown wedding | Elizabeth Nord Photography | Glamour & Grace

intimate downtown wedding | Elizabeth Nord Photography | Glamour & Grace

romantic green bouquet | Elizabeth Nord Photography | Glamour & Grace

intimate downtown wedding | Elizabeth Nord Photography | Glamour & Grace

intimate downtown wedding | Elizabeth Nord Photography | Glamour & Grace

intimate downtown wedding | Elizabeth Nord Photography | Glamour & Grace

We did our first look at the hotel (Godfrey Hotel) and then the whole bridal party went right underneath Kinzie Street bridge for photos. The distressed wall was beautiful and made for a great backdrop! That was always the plan for the photos so it didn’t even matter that it rained that day!

intimate downtown wedding | Elizabeth Nord Photography | Glamour & Grace

intimate downtown wedding | Elizabeth Nord Photography | Glamour & Grace

intimate downtown wedding | Elizabeth Nord Photography | Glamour & Grace

intimate downtown wedding | Elizabeth Nord Photography | Glamour & Grace

intimate downtown wedding | Elizabeth Nord Photography | Glamour & Grace

wine ceremony | Elizabeth Nord Photography | Glamour & Grace

intimate downtown wedding | Elizabeth Nord Photography | Glamour & Grace

intimate downtown wedding | Elizabeth Nord Photography | Glamour & Grace

intimate downtown wedding | Elizabeth Nord Photography | Glamour & Grace

intimate downtown wedding | Elizabeth Nord Photography | Glamour & Grace

intimate downtown wedding | Elizabeth Nord Photography | Glamour & Grace

We wanted a festive and social atmosphere that encouraged unforced interactions between groups of family and friends. That was the main reason for opting for a reception-style wedding vs. seated. I think we achieved what we were hoping for! We love hosting parties at home and wanted to make sure we threw our best celebration yet. :)

intimate downtown wedding | Elizabeth Nord Photography | Glamour & Grace

intimate downtown wedding | Elizabeth Nord Photography | Glamour & Grace

intimate downtown wedding | Elizabeth Nord Photography | Glamour & Grace

intimate downtown wedding | Elizabeth Nord Photography | Glamour & Grace

We had family and friends that helped make our day that much more special—labor of love to say the least! My brother went to the venue the day before to hang the string lights above the dance floor (and ceremony).Our friend, Kirsten Anderson, created the signs for our popcorn machine, guest book, and the flip-flop station. My cousin made the wooden wagon that my little 9-month old niece (1 of 2 flower girls) rode in! We found photos of our parents on their wedding day and displayed those along with other photos. We love going to antique stores/estate sales and used a couple of window panes for the guest book.

intimate downtown wedding | Elizabeth Nord Photography | Glamour & Grace

intimate downtown wedding | Elizabeth Nord Photography | Glamour & Grace

intimate downtown wedding | Elizabeth Nord Photography | Glamour & Grace

intimate downtown wedding | Elizabeth Nord Photography | Glamour & Grace

intimate downtown wedding | Elizabeth Nord Photography | Glamour & Grace

As cliché as it sounds, I loved everything and wouldn’t have changed a thing. Our first look was a favorite: there was no way of stopping the tears and we are both SO happy we were able to do it in a private setting. And seeing all of our family and friends in one place…our hearts were so full!!

intimate downtown wedding | Elizabeth Nord Photography | Glamour & Grace

Photography | Elizabeth Nord Photography | Venue & Catering | Hubbard Inn | Planning | Bliss By Sam | Florals | Artistic Blooms | Desserts | Sweet Mandy B’s | Invitations | Paper Source | Videography | fortyONEfilms | Wedding Dress | Madison James from Weddings 826 | Shoes | Kate Appleby | Bridesmaid Dresses | Brideside | Hair | Pin me up Chicago | Makeup | Glam’d | Groomswear | J.ToorMusicians & DJ | Liquid Lava Productions | Photo Booth | Big Hugs Photobooth