Blending Traditions at the Chicago Botanic Gardens | N+J 2022
Some BW Studio couples become more like family as we work together, and Nika and Josh feel like lifelong companions after diligently planning their wedding alongside them for two years. Bringing their wedding day to life was an immense honor, and I continue to cherish them as I embark on planning their friends' and family's special occasions. Witnessing the blending of traditions throughout their wedding and planning process was such a joy.
Despite the earlier uncertainties of the pandemic, (side note: they found us in late 2020!!) Nika and Josh remained optimistic and set their wedding date for the spring of 2022, giving themselves ample time to feel comfortable amidst progress in science. Little did we all know that the world events would extend far beyond their wedding day. Nevertheless, their determination to move forward safely prevailed and it absolutely was worth the wait.
One of the most beautiful aspects of their wedding day was their desire to incorporate a variety of cultural traditions from both Nika's Assyrian background and Josh's Jewish heritage. Every facet of the wedding weekend paid homage to their families' customs and focused on blending traditions.
Valuable tips for incorporating multiple traditions into your wedding day:
Start Planning Early: Begin discussions and research early on to understand the significance of various customs and traditions from both sides of the family.
Communication is Key: Talk to both sets of families to identify which elements are essential to include and which ones can be skipped. Open and respectful conversations will help ensure a balanced representation of both cultures.
Trust Your Wedding Planner: A skilled wedding planner can help you find creative ways to incorporate important traditions and make them work within the overall flow of the day. Share your vision and desires, and let them guide you.
Embrace Your Authenticity: Your wedding day should reflect your unique journey as a couple. Don't worry about what others may think or expect. Focus on what matters most to both of you and embrace the traditions that hold significance for you.
Celebrate Unity: Remember that the purpose of blending traditions is to bring people together, showcasing the beauty of different cultures merging into one harmonious celebration. Keep the focus on unity and joy.
After some thorough soul-searching and numerous venue tours, we realized that the Chicago Botanic Gardens, which was their initial dream venue, was the perfect backdrop for their ceremony and reception. Exploring options is crucial, as you never know what hidden gems you may discover.
The remaining vendor selection process was a delightful adventure with Nika and Josh. They had clear opinions and made swift decisions. Trusting your instincts when choosing vendors is key, as it allows for a smooth planning experience. Throughout the process, we made sure to include vendors that would elevate and exemplify our mission to blend traditions from both sides of their family.
The wedding day kicked off long before we arrived at the Botanic Gardens for the formal ceremony. In Assyrian custom, the groom comes to the bride’s home and woo’s her out of the house with music and dancing. This special event is called the “Paladta d'Kaloo”. Josh arrived in a white trolley with all of his groomsmen and friends and brought flowers and gifts for the family. The groom also dances with a decorated cane, known as a kopala.
The front of the house was ready for them with sweet treats, live musicians, and close friends and family to welcome them. As soon as everyone arrived, the music started up and the bride’s party exited the house. They were followed by Nika, as she revealed her wedding attire to guests for the first time. Jingling scarves, known as yalekhta, twirled as guests cheered the bride and groom and everyone dove straight into dancing! As soon as the musicians stopped, we whisked the wedding party onto the trolley and off to the gardens for the formal marriage ceremony.
At the gardens, close family and friends gathered to witness the signing of the couple’s Ketubah. The ketubah, a Jewish marriage contract, has a long history dating back over 2,000 years. Originally developed as a legal document to protect the rights of Jewish women, it has evolved to become a meaningful expression of love and commitment between partners. Today, the ketubah serves as a beautiful work of art and a symbol of the couple's promises and responsibilities to each other. Nika and Josh selected a design for their ketubah with Persian motifs to honor her family's Middle Eastern heritage. Since these documents are so stunning, we often display a couple’s ketubah during the reception so guests could read them and enjoy the beautiful artwork.
The formal ceremony commenced with beautiful violin music performed by a dear friend of the couple. Nika's grandmother acted as the flower lady, adorning the aisle with flowers before the bride made her entrance. The pastor and rabbi took turns incorporating important traditions from both cultures into the sermon. Family heirlooms were also shared as part of the ceremony and were excitedly viewed by extended family members afterwards.
Following the vows, the wedding party moved into the English Garden for appetizers and drinks while the pavilion was prepared for the reception. As guests entered the pavilion, they were captivated by the breathtaking views of the sunset over the lake. The wedding party's grand entrance was a choreographed dance, setting the tone for an exciting evening of group dancing.
A hand-painted cake took center stage as it was cut and served, and heartfelt speeches were given by many. The Horah, a traditional Jewish dance celebrating unity, brought high energy and joy to the celebration, with Nika and Josh ensuring that their wedding party knew the moves to the dance in advance to include everyone in the excitement.
As the night progressed, the Assyrian musicians returned, filling the air with lively drum beats and horns, getting everyone on their feet. The dance floor remained alive throughout the rest of the night, with guests fully immersed in the celebration.
In a flurry of party buses, limos, and private cars, the couple bid farewell to their loved ones and retreated to the hotel. If you're considering the beautiful challenge of blending traditions into your wedding day, we're here to help! Contact us for expert guidance and make your celebration a true reflection of your unique love story.
A huge thank you to an amazing creative team that made this day possible:
Venue: Chicago Botanic Gardens
Photo: Hello Rose Photography
Video: Old North Film Company
Florist: BouK Bridal
Catering: Chicago Botanic Gardens
Cake: ECBG Cake Studio
Entertainment: Green Line Talent
Live Music: Assyrian Musicians
Hair & Makeup: The Bridal Beauty Team
Dress: Hayley Paige from Bella Bianca Bridal Couture
Bridesmaids: Azazie and Marchesa Notte
Suits: The Black Tux
Drapery + Lighting: MDM Entertainment
Calligraphy: Jessica Draper Calligraphy
Stationery: Minted
Pre-Party Catering: Catered by Design
Pre-Party Tent: Blue Peak Tents
Pre-Party Balloon Décor: Nicole's Magic
Transportation: Absolute Dream Limousine
Hotels: Renaissance Chicago North Shore + Palmer House
Pet Care: Fetch Pet Care
Valet: VIP Valet Services
Bouquet Preservation: The Pressed Bouquet Shop
Planning: BW Studio + Events