A Celestial Celebration at Adler Planetarium | M+A 2022
When Maggie and AJ approached the BW Studio team with their love for Adler Planetarium and their dream of hosting their wedding there the following spring, we knew we were the perfect match for their celestial celebration.
Maggie's creative mind was brimming with numerous ideas, and our first task was to streamline and transform them into a cohesive design concept that would guide her throughout the planning process. This design concept would serve as the foundation for the rest of their wedding planning journey.
Essential steps to help you plan your own design concept:
Gather inspiration: Collect images, words, and emotions that capture the essence of your desired wedding day. Pinterest and Instagram are excellent sources to start your search. Remember to screenshot and crop images for easy reference. We have tons of boards we’ve already started, if you’d like to take a peek! BW Studio Pinterest Boards
Share and Discuss: Engage with someone trusted who can help you analyze and interpret the images you've gathered. This person can distinguish between literal translation and emotional/figurative translation, guiding you to refine your vision.
Create a Design Concept Board: Compile a visual board showcasing 8-9 images and include 3 descriptive buzzwords that encapsulate the vibe you want to convey on your wedding day. This board will serve as a helpful reference point and can be shared with all of your vendors to ensure a clear understanding of your vision.
Define the mood: Ask yourself how you want to feel on your wedding day, how you want your wedding party to feel, and the desired atmosphere for your guests. Use descriptive buzzwords like “elegant, classic, moody, bright, fun, relaxing, or quaint” to capture these emotions.
Stay committed: Once you have a design concept in place, stick to it throughout the planning process. If an idea doesn't align with your vision, it doesn't mean it's a bad idea, but rather that it may be better suited for another occasion. Stick to your plan and save alternative ideas for other festivities like engagement parties, wedding showers, or bachelor(ette) parties.
With the “Celestial Celebration” design board as our guiding light, our team collaborated seamlessly with other vendors specializing in floral, catering, photography, and entertainment to pull together an exceptional creative team. They all grasped our vision early on, resulting in a cohesive and magical wedding day. Here's a list of the fantastic creatives who brought our vision to life (see list at the bottom of post).
On the wedding day, the tight setup window at Adler Planetarium presented a bit of a challenge, as the venue is a public building. However, the vendor team rose to the occasion, delivering a breathtaking space. The florist adorned the ceiling with exquisite hanging hoops dripping with flowers and placed towering arrangements on tables, transforming the expansive planetarium dining hall into an intimate and inviting atmosphere. Fortunately, the weather cooperated at the last minute, allowing the ceremony to take place outdoors. Even their dog Todd was excited!
The wedding party had ample time to capture stunning photographs in the gardens and along the picturesque lakefront with skyline views. The celestial celebration theme was considered for the smallest of details, from the bridesmaids Cinderella blue dress colors to the blues and oranges of the floral arrangements and our up-lighting selections.
As a unique touch, the guest book featured a massive astronomy book about the solar system, allowing guests to leave heartfelt notes on its pages using bright metallic ink. The couple purchased charming star-patterned salad plates, on which the catering company served the first course family-style, granting guests a delightful glimpse before the salad was served on the plates. As a thoughtful gesture, guests could also take the celestial plates home as wedding favors at the end of the night.
Throughout the evening, the Planetarium's enchanting moon installation illuminated the reception space, while guests enjoyed access to various exhibits as part of their event package. To add an extra touch of astrological wonder, a 20-minute "Welcome to the Universe" show in the Grainger Sky Theater captivated everyone before dinner service commenced.
We eagerly await the opportunity to create another celestial celebration that challenges our both our design and logistics skills, and also brings to life a unique and unforgettable wedding!
Special thank you to our creative team:
Venue: Adler Planetarium // Photo: Sandra Armenteros Photography // Video: Once Like a Spark + Wedit // Florist: BouK Bridal // Catering: Food for Thought // Entertainment: Music by Design // Hair & Makeup: Appease Inc. // Dress: Brides by Young // Bridesmaids: Azazie // Suits: The SuitShop // Ties: The Tie Bar // Pups: Todd Von Runston // Hotels: Hyatt Centric, Chicago // Transportation: Chicago Cloud9 Limo + Echo Limousine // Floral Repurposing: Bloom 'n Toss // Plates: West Elm // Stationery: Minted // Planning: BW Studio + Events