A Colorful Spring Wedding at Sarabande Chicago
Wedding Coordinated By: Simply Elegant Group
Photographed By: Ashley Biess, Artistrie Co.
Wedding Venue: Sarabande, Chicago, IL
Sarabande gave them the modern backdrop they loved, and from there they made it completely their own. Incredible flowers, colorful bridesmaid dresses, personal touches throughout the day and two very loving families gave me plenty to photograph. More than anything, there was a lot of feeling in the room, from the very beginning right through the last song of the night.
Hailey & Tyler came into their wedding wanting the photographs to capture what the day actually felt like. They weren't interested in anything too polished or perfect. They wanted color, emotion, a great party, and plenty of photographs of the people they love having a genuinely good time.
About the Wedding
Hailey & Tyler's Wedding Day at Sarabande
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Hailey spent the afternoon getting ready with her sisters, mom and bridesmaids while Tyler was nearby with his family and friends. There was a lot of laughter early on, plenty of people coming and going, and the kind of comfortable chaos that comes with having everyone you love in one place.
The afternoon also brought an unexpected and heartbreaking loss for Hailey & Tyler. Their family and friends rallied around them, giving them the love and support they needed as they made their way through the rest of the day.
Getting Ready
By the time the ceremony began, there was a lot of emotion in the room. Hailey's brother-in-law officiated, her dad walked her down the aisle, and their families were never shy about letting the tears come.
Hailey & Tyler had told me from the beginning that they wanted photographs that showed how much love surrounded them. During the ceremony, that part was pretty easy.
The Ceremony
“Thank you for helping us keep it together and handling a truly insane situation with so much poise and grace. We loved working with you. … These photos are SO special. You knocked it out of the park.”
— The Bride, Hailey
After the ceremony and family photos, I snuck Hailey & Tyler away for a little time to themselves. We wandered outside Sarabande, made our way toward the river and ended up in an open field nearby before heading back to the party.
After everything the day had already held, it was nice to slow things down for a few minutes. Nothing complicated. A little direction from me, some beautiful evening light, and the two of them together.
Portraits
Hailey had been talking about the flowers since our earliest conversations, so I knew they were going to be a big part of the day. Studio Poppy filled Sarabande with color, from the ceremony installation to the reception tables, and even the bridesmaids wore different colors to play off the palette.
Food was just as personal. Hailey is a baker and made the entire dessert spread herself, including their small wedding cake, key lime pie and tiramisu served in martini coupes. Some of the desserts were even displayed on crystal cake plates belonging to their grandmothers.
The Reception
Dinner and speeches eventually gave way to Dirty Martinis, Gold Rushes and a dance floor that filled up fast. Hailey & Tyler were right in the middle of it, surrounded by family and friends, and pretty much stayed there for the rest of the night.
Eventually hot dogs made their way onto the dance floor, more drinks appeared, and a bus pulled up outside to take everyone to the after-party. No one seemed particularly interested in calling it a night.