Intimate Wedding at Maxwell’s Trading in Chicago’s West Loop

Apr 25

E&A had the perfect, intimate wedding day in Chicago’s West Loop.

The two spent the morning together reading their vows, 100% in private. Personally, I think this is how every wedding morning should start. Professionally, I’m not even one bit bummed I wasn’t there to photograph it. When Emily told me about it after I arrived, the way she replayed the morning was with such fondness, fulfillment and peace that I knew they spent the first waking moments of their wedding day exactly how they should have.

The two then got ready separately with the help of their parents in The Hoxton’s chic, beautifully lit hotel rooms. They reconvened for what I can only describe as one of the most memorable first looks I’ve had the honor of witnessing. Avery’s reaction was a 100 out of 10, from his facial expressions to his soundbites. Professionally & personally, I was extremely glad to have been there to witness that moment.

We stopped by Olive Park for portraits along the lakefront with their immediate families. One of my favorite parts of the day was witnessing how every time Emily moved to a different location, Avery was the first one bending down to pick up her train or hold her flowers and help guide her around a space.

Maxwell’s Trading transformed their second level for an intimate ceremony for E&A’s closest people in their historic library, adorned with stunning floral arrangements by Third Season. Although the day was on the cloudy side up to that point, during their ceremony, the sun fully broke out from behind the clouds and shined in through the windows, enveloping E&A at their altar with a gorgeous evening, newly married glow.

After the ceremony, the newlyweds snuck up to Maxwell’s gorgeous rooftop greenhouse and garden space for a few quiet moments alone together before rejoining the party. The Library was transformed into an intimate dinner party, where heartfelt & celebratory words were shared by the newlyweds and their parents. I also need to note that I cannot stress enough how amazing Maxwell’s food is…. From their spaces to the food, they are a one stop shop for wedding day needs. After enjoying dinner, I caught the newlyweds on my way out as an unreal sunset was happening, so we ran up to the roof for some unplanned, final rooftop sunset photos to close out the night.

From their first look and the quiet moments after, to the way they interacted with each other moving from space to space throughout the day, you can tell they have the type of love that you can see just from the way they look at and hold each other. The best kind of love.

Vendor Team

Venue - Maxwell’s Trading @maxwellstrading

Planner - Olive Fine Weddings @olivefineweddings

Photographer - Gretchen Wittry @graphsbygretch

Floral - Third Season @theroofcrop

Makeup - Nina Esposito @ninaespositomakeup

Hair - Hair by Nicolette @hairbynicolette_

Bride’s Gown - Marie Gabriel Couture @mariegabrielcouturebridal

Grooms’ Suit - Nicholas Joseph @customsuitsyou

Catering - Maxwell’s Trading @maxwellstrading

Transportation - Signature Transportation Group @ridestg

Accommodations - The Hoxton @thehoxtonhotel