Written and Photography by Winterlyn Photography

The Ivy Room is nestled in the heart of downtown Chicago and hidden from view. The fact that it is hidden in plain sight makes it feel even more magical. Walking into the garden area you feel like you have been transported into another world. The outdoor courtyard with dripping ivy is the perfect spot for an intimate and romantic city wedding ceremony. Sam and Ben took full advantage of the venue’s organic beauty for their summer wedding. Their fur baby OLIVE even got to join in on the fun celebrating with Mom & Dad. She made a brief appearance at The Ivy Room for some portrait time.

Ben and Sam met while in college in Chicago. On Sam’s 20th birthday, Sam’s older sister Ashley brought Sam to a gathering at the University of Chicago, where Ben was a student and good friends with Ashley’s future husband Rob. Ashley introduced Sam to Ben and the rest was history! Their first date was on 12/12/12 at a restaurant only one block away from the Ivy Room!

These two beautiful souls worked so hard on their wedding day. Not only did they do much of the preparations themselves, but they planned the wedding long distance. With Sam in North Carolina for work and Ben here in Chicago, they relied on one another to work out all the details and make their special day both meaningful and fun! This wedding wasn’t just about the two of them. It was about family. How much their family means to them. Sam had her sisters, Ashley and Allyson as her maid of honor(s) while Ben had his two brothers, Alex and Charles as co-best men.

My team and I had so much fun spending the day with Ben and Sam and their wedding party.

Congratulations Sam & Ben!