Black Tie Dinner at White Studio | K+C 2021
When a worldwide pandemic throws you a curveball, throw yourself a black tie dinner party instead of a traditional wedding. That’s precisely what Kelly and Chris did four months before their wedding was scheduled to take place. These two amazing souls found it in themselves to tackle once of the hardest decisions couples have been facing over the last two years… hold out for their dream wedding or reinvent the dream entirely.
Kelly and Chris reinvented what it means to have an elegant wedding night!
Planning with K + C started off like most Wedding Management clients, “here’s my vendor list, this is where it will be, and this is sort of what I want to do that day”… easy peasy. Sweet folks, not a lot of questions and we hop into the normal process of coordinating their day in January of 2020! The pandemic makes us a little nervous in the spring and summer, but generally no major plan changes. In early January of 2021, the call comes to say that they are completely re-envisioning their plan due to the latest covid restrictions and guidelines… but they don’t know where to start and they need help. They want to take their 300+ person wedding and reel it in to an intimate 35 person dinner party complete with live music, fantastic menu, and dancing.
Wedding Management has now become Full Wedding Planning! And we are so thrilled for this challenge!
First on the list, finding a new venue that would comfortably seat and serve 35 dinner guests. The White Studio in McKinley Park quickly went from our short list to the best option! We coordinated with the owner, Lonney White to set the stage for the perfect backdrop to their black tie dinner.
Next, we had to inform all the vendors that we still had a show to put on… but it was going to be a different show entirely! And they were all for it. Kara from Bou-K Bridal got to paint flowers black and suspend a colossal arrangement from the ceiling in the space flipping from ceremony to reception. Hearty Boys got to put together a very special and selective menu for their limited guest list. Both Caitlin Lisa and Aaron Bean got to show off their talents in low lit intimate spaces, and masterfully avoided all inclement weather the gods could throw at us. Genuinely could not have asked for a better crew of talented vendors!
K + C started their wedding date off with a private champagne toast on the balcony, and then joined their closest family for a few photographs around town, including the historic Chicago Civic Opera Building. And of course it was pouring rain, but you couldn’t tell from the smiles on everyone’s faces.
The sun came out just in time for the ceremony to start and the processional music to begin. Moeller Music played a duet of the couple’s favorite tunes and the ceremony space was filled with laughter and tears from that moment on. The groom’s sister officiated, which gave the ceremony a truly personal touch.
The remainder of the evening was full of heartfelt speeches, dance offs, and lots of hugs. You could tell we all needed this moment of togetherness after the wild year we had all been experiencing. It was truly a moment of suspended belief.
Congratulations again and again to my wildest ride of 2021!! Adore you both. Grateful our paths keep crossing!
Wishing you both the very best in life and love!
A special thank you to an amazing team of vendors that pulled off the impossible!
Venue: White Studio
Photo: Caitlin Lisa Photography
Video: Aaron Bean Photo & Film
Florist: BouK Bridal
Catering: Hearty Boys Catering
Cake/Sweets: Sweet Mandy B's
Live Music: Moeller Music Events
DJ: Style Matters DJ
Hair & Makeup: The Bridal Beauty Team
Dress: Pronovias Bride
Suit: Gentleman’s Cooperative
Hotel: Aloft Chicago Mag Mile
First Look & Brunch: Albert Hotel
Planning: BW Studio + Events
