A Timeless Wedding at the Chicago Athletic Association
Wedding Planned By: LOLA Event Productions
Photographed By: Ashley Biess, Artistrie Co.
Wedding Venue: Chicago Athletic Association
More than anything, they wanted time to enjoy the day with the people they love. Their wedding party was made up entirely of siblings, dinner was meant to be savored, and portraits were woven into the day rather than taking them away from it. I wanted their photographs to hold onto both the old-Chicago atmosphere of the Athletic Association and the quieter moments happening inside it.
Courtney & Sam's wedding at the Chicago Athletic Association felt like a love letter to Chicago. Drawn to the hotel's history and architecture, they planned a day that felt classic, warm and welcoming. From their first look to their ceremony and candlelit dinner overlooking Michigan Avenue, the hotel became part of the story itself.
About the Wedding
Sam and Courtney's Wedding Day
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The morning at the Chicago Athletic Association felt calm from the very beginning. With a wedding party made up entirely of siblings, there was a natural ease to everything that unfolded. Courtney spent the morning laughing with her sisters and mom while Sam did the same with his family, and before long it felt less like I was photographing a wedding morning and more like I was simply watching everyone enjoy being together.
Getting Ready
Courtney & Sam shared their first look in the White City Ballroom, tucked beside the fireplace and surrounded by warm wood paneling and tall windows overlooking Michigan Avenue. It was a quiet, intimate setting that perfectly matched the romantic, understated feeling they had envisioned for the day. From there, we wandered through the hotel together, using its warm interiors and natural window light for the moody, romantic portraits Courtney & Sam had envisioned.
The First Look
Surrounded by family and their closest friends, Courtney & Sam were married in the CAA's Madison Ballroom by the bride's cousin. With their siblings standing beside them and parents in the front rows, the ceremony felt incredibly personal. There were quiet smiles, happy tears, and plenty of little glances back and forth between the two of them that said everything without either of them saying much at all.
The Ceremony
"Ashley, thank you sooo much for everything! We will look back on these fun and special moments fondly for the rest of our lives!"
— The Bride, Courtney
Courtney & Sam envisioned the reception feeling warm, elegant, and inviting, and every detail reflected that. Candlelight, soft lamps, understated florals, and an incredible dinner transformed the White City Ballroom into a space that felt more like an intimate dinner party than a formal reception. As self-proclaimed food lovers, creating an experience where everyone could slow down, enjoy a wonderful meal, and linger around the table was just as important as the celebration itself.
The Reception
As dinner gave way to dancing, the energy shifted without ever losing that warmth. Espresso martinis made their way through the dance floor on silver trays, nostalgic Y2K songs had everyone singing along, and guests drifted between the dance floor and the dessert table throughout the evening.
Every time I looked toward the dance floor, Courtney & Sam seemed to find each other again. They'd break away to hug family or catch up with friends, but another song would come on and they'd be right back together. I don't think either of them stopped smiling once.