A Bohemian, Vintage Chic Wedding at Salvage One in Chicago, Illinois

Rachel Stanaszek (26 and a teacher) and Tristan Diaz’s (28 and a logistics broker) had an undeniable whimsical, retro, urban vibe. Choosing Salvage One in Wicker Park set the tone for the day, the unique venue offering an organic, industrial and historic setting for the affair, complete with exposed brick, vintage furniture and a stunning outdoor space with lush greenery and funky marquee lighting. “It felt like a really cool loft condo where we would want to hang out all the time — so we knew it was the perfect location,” says Rachel. “We used the indoor space for the ceremony, the outdoor space for cocktails and the upstairs for the reception. I’m so glad we did it that way because we got to explore and use every inch of the amazing space.” To bring their bohemian, vintage-chic vision to life, Rachel and Tristan looked to the pros at Cornelia McNamara Flowers for the romantic, whimsical flower arrangements of fragrant, full blooms and LOLA Event Productions for their top-notch planning skills. A color palette of pale blue, cappuccino, ivory and blush had a sophisticated feel and was inspired by the rooftops of Paris. To reflect their laid-back personalities, the couple decided to ditch the sit down dinner and instead opted for a roaming reception, allowing their guests to mix, mingle and eat at their leisure. The couple served up Tex Mex and Southern Comfort favorites (a nod to their roots) like fried green tomato sliders, tacos, truffle mac and cheese and pulled pork sandwiches, alongside a slew of local brews and their signature cocktail — a Moscow Mule. “It was really important to us that the wedding felt more like a party than an event,” says Rachel. “We were both really glad that we opted for a cocktail style dinner as opposed to a formal sit down. Everyone was having so much fun mingling and celebrating in whatever way they wanted to.” Soul, funk and rockabilly music offered a refreshing break from traditional Top 40 and spoke to Rachel and Tristan’s personalities. There was also a photo booth and foosball table to keep guests entertained and at the end of the night the newlyweds and their guests headed down to Richard’s Bar, a Chicago institution, for a roaring after party. A tip for the taking from Rachel: “Take your time and focus on the important things: your relationship, your friends, and your family. All of the material things make the day beautiful, but the experiences you have on the day of your wedding is what’s truly important. Don't get caught up in trying to make things perfect — it's not going to be! Certain things will surprise you or not go as planned, but that's life. Embrace it, laugh it off and keep smiling at the love of your life — that's the best thing you could possibly ask for.”