1. Real Weddings

A Classic Luxe Wedding at Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel Chicago in Chicago, Illinois

Chicago natives Jordan Sunderland (27 and a marketing coordinator) and Joe Navarro (27 and an account executive) had a timeless, luxe wedding full of

Chicago natives Jordan Sunderland (27 and a marketing coordinator) and Joe Navarro (27 and an account executive) had a timeless, luxe wedding full of romantic glam. They got married in their hometown at Holy Name Cathedral -- the bride’s dream -- and hosted their reception in the Grand Ballroom at Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel Chicago. “I definitely wanted a classic and elegant look for our wedding,” Jordan says. “I’ve always loved the color palette of navy, gold and ivory, and once we chose our reception venue, I knew it would be perfect.” The florist, Sarah from Vale of Enna, transformed the bride’s vision of the ballroom with tall crystal candelabras dripping with gold foliage, lush white floral arrangements with pops of gold leaves and lots of candlelight. “After talking for five minutes, Sarah really got me and my vision,” the bride says. The couple’s wedding cake was the focal point of their reception: Alliance Bakery created five round ivory tiers with a clean, modern finish and a minimalist gold monogram surrounded by a gold-leaf garland with white flowers and candles. “It was exactly as I dreamed it would be,” Jordan says. “I loved all our vendors, but in particular, Emilia of Emilia Jane Photography, Sarah of Vale of Enna and Emma of Arch Apothecary [makeup] all just understood us and made everything so perfect. Emilia kept me calm all day and has since become a friend.” Jordan also offers advice to future couples: “My best advice would be not to sweat the things that are out of your control. On the day of our wedding, we woke up to freezing temperatures and sleet. Not what I dreamed of, but I was having so much fun getting ready with my girls and thinking about seeing Joe at the altar that it honestly didn’t phase me.”

“I feel most like myself with my hair down, so I opted to wear loose curls with a few pieces pulled off my face to anchor the veil,” Jordan says. The bride wanted a classic look for her makeup, complete with a bold red lip. “I decided to rock one, and I’m so glad I did.”
The bridal bouquet consisted of ivory roses, garden roses and ranunculus with soft, silvery dusty miller and pops of gold-leaf eucalyptus foliage throughout. The bouquet was wrapped in ivory satin and incorporated a special rosary.
Romantic Chicago Wedding
Jordan wore a trumpet-style wedding dress in champagne silk chiffon with an ivory lace overlay. “I really love a classic look,” the bride says. She also wore a pearl headpiece by Tacori and a lace-trimmed cathedral veil.
White Bouquet Centerpiece With Gold Garland
“Joe and I are both from Chicago, so it was only natural that we would get married here,” Jordan says. The Grand Ballroom at Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel Chicago has a lot of gold touches, and the couple complemented this with lots of candlelight and metallic decor.
“Sarah from Vale of Enna really blew me away with our centerpieces,” Jordan says. Sarah transformed the bride’s idea of romantic and lush into tall crystal candelabras with gold foliage and low centerpieces with flowers and candles.
The wedding color palette consisted of navy, gold and ivory. “We went heavy on the candlelight in the reception space to give a very romantic and soft look," the bride explains.
The wedding cake consisted of five tiers frosted in ivory buttercream with piping separating each tier and the couple’s minimalist gold monogram near the top. Surrounding the bottom of the cake were fresh white roses and gold foliage. “It was exactly as I dreamed it would be,” the bride says.
Jordan and Joe danced to “First Day of My Life” by Bright Eyes. “Our band, Greenlight, learned the song for us and performed an amazing live version,” the bride says. “We ended up deciding on this song because the lyrics really spoke to us. It still brings a smile to my face whenever I hear it.”