Lauren + Jim's Edgy Monochrome Wedding
When the bride owns an interior design firm you KNOW that not a single detail of her wedding day would be overlooked! Lauren and Jim’s all black everything wedding included a custom black marble backdrop, black ghost chairs, monochromatic accents, giant proteas, and porcupine quill filled lucite centerpieces. Yes, we said porcupine quills. Urban Allure Events provided day of coordination to make sure all of the couples details came together flawlessly! You will want to scroll down to make sure you don’t miss anything captured by Loren Weddings and Shutter and Sound Films! Follow along as you read all of the bride’s great advice and how she found her inspiration!
The attire for both the wedding party AND guests was a unique element for Lauren and Jim’s Wedding day. Lauren said:
I have never envisioned myself in a traditional white wedding gown...It wasn’t until I took “bridal" totally out of my search that I found something almost perfect, but totally unattainable! I found an image of a DVF dress from years ago and it had everything I wanted. Right then and there I decided to find someone to make me a gown with that same feel, so I started calling around to some local dressmakers and somehow ended up with Curtis Cassell in my dining room, and I instantly knew he was the perfect person to bring my vision to life.
We are swooning over Lauren’s wedding day look complete with hair and makeup by Nika Vaughan Artistry.
The bridesmaids wore custom jumpsuits from Fame & Partners, and were outfitted with leather jackets and periwinkle statement earrings to add a pop of color. The Groom and Groomsmen wore cropped pants and vintage brooches (some of which were family heirlooms).
My husband told me that I wasn’t allowed to mandate that all of our guests wear black, so I did him one better and decided on a creative black-tie dress code. I loved the concept and since I put it in my own words, I think our guests felt empowered to wear something they wanted to!
Curious about what “Creative Black Tie Attire” means? Lauren says:
Creative Black Tie is just like Black Tie Optional, but without all of the rules! That could be as over-the-top or "in the box" as you deem appropriate for your personal style. If you're not a huge risk-taker, that’s okay, but feel free to wear something other than the cookie-cutter penguin suit and take your look less seriously! There is no requirement to wear a tuxedo or a gown, but if you're up for it, we'd love to see you all dressed up!
I wanted our guests first view of the ceremony and reception to be an experience. I wanted them to take the whole room in at once. This meant putting something huge in the center of the foyer to not only block the view through the doors, but something they would stop and interact with. With that in mind, Atmosphere Events Group designed the most amazing asymmetrical focal arrangement that I have ever seen...
The reception was complete with custom lighting patterns on the ceiling from Atmosphere Events Group, a matte black cake from ECBG Cake Studio, Lauren had a local artist create the custom pattern on the gobo and a delicious plated dinner by FIG Catering followed by a show stopping dessert bar!
Our sweetheart table had the coolest cascading arrangement, and a neon sign above it that said “til’ death”. The centerpieces were lucite bases displaying porcupine quills of different sizes. They were quiet the conversation piece, and we only had a few puncture wounds reported. (HA!) I wanted the vibe to feel like an intimate dinner party and I wanted it to be about the people and their experiences and I wanted it to look and feel like it was designed just for us.
Toast and Jam kept guests dancing all night while Fotio photo booth repurposed the custom black marble backdrop for a classic black and white photo booth.
When we asked Lauren for some advice for brides (and grooms!) to be and these were her top tips to share:
- Photography and videography is not a place to skimp… it’s the only tangible thing you have after its all said and done. Pick someone you vibe with, because they are going to get up close and personal all day!
- Pick someone you love to officiate your ceremony
- The night before: Open the party up to everyone! It’s the one time in your life when every person you love is in one place. Spend as much time with everyone as possible! Oh, and definitely have an after party!”
Now you understand what were talking about with the porcupine quills right? 74 lucite bases and 4,000 porcupine quills in 3 sizes. Don’t you love them? They’re now for sale through the bride's firm, Studio Sven or drop into The South Loop Loft and pick one up. What an incredible wedding executed by an amazing team!
Vendors from our Community:
Cake: ECBG Cake Studio
Planning/Coordination: Urban Allure Events
Vendors:
Design: Studio Sven
Venue: Greenhouse Loft
First Look Location: Garfield Park Conservatory
Getting Ready Location: Marriott Magnificent Mile
Photographer: Loren Weddings
Videography: Shutter and Sound Films
Floral/Production: Atmosphere Events Group
Hair/Makeup: Nika Vaughan Artists
DJ: Toast & Jam
Catering: FIG Catering
Photobooth: Fotio
Custom Wedding Gown: Curtis Cassell
Bridesmaids Jumpsuits: Fame & Partners
DIY Centerpieces: Studio Sven
Stationary: Minted
Transportation: Windy City Limo
Ti Leaf Calligraphy Place cards: Spotted Kettle Studio