1. Real Weddings

A Vibrant, Colorful Wedding at the Art Institute of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois

Everything about Maria (34 and a physician) and Jeff’s (40 and in corporate insurance) wedding had the wow factor. With bright colors around, the Mode

Everything about Maria (34 and a physician) and Jeff’s (40 and in corporate insurance) wedding had the wow factor. With bright colors around, the Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago was the perfect blank canvas to host the decor for the indoor/outdoor wedding. The formal ceremony took place on the first floor in Griffin Court, followed by a reception in the restaurant and balcony upstairs in the Terzo Piano area. The florist, Erin from the Revel Group, brightened the monochromatic venue with vibrant flowers, including the bride’s favorite element: a curtain of hot pink, orange, red and green orchids framed by blue hydrangeas. “Erin did an amazing job of bringing light, color and happiness to the space,” Maria says. Another standout detail: Maria almost had a wedding day disaster when the wrong wedding dress arrived. Designer Alice Padrul saved the day, creating a one-of-a-kind French lace sheath style wedding dress with crystal details that fit Maria like a glove. “I cannot recommend any dress shop or designer more than Alice,” Maria says. One of the most special moments of the wedding happened as Maria and Jeff shared their first kiss as newlyweds, with paper airplanes flying around them. As the bride tells us: “Our fantastic photographer, Colin Lyons, captured a photo, which we like to call the ‘airplane photo,’ that is very special for us. We can attest that it was 100 percent in the moment and an impeccably timed first kiss. The vibrancy of Colin’s ‘airplane photo’ serves as a perfect illustration of our special day. The photo captured a wow moment of joy, love, fun, color, energy and excitement that represents our happily ever after.”

“Every wedding has a fortune-misfortune,” Maria says. “Mine was my dress.” Here’s what happened: The dress and size she ordered nine months before her wedding did not arrive! Luckily, Maria discovered designer Alice Padrul, who made a one-of-a-kind wedding dress that was exactly what Maria wanted! She wore a beautiful French lace, sheath-style wedding dress with crystal details. “Most important, I could dance, sit, walk, run, jump and not worry about it.”
Bright Neon Colorful Bridal Bouquet
“My favorite element was our flower curtain,” Maria says. The breathtaking ceremony backdrop included blue hydrangeas and hot pink, orange, red and green orchid blossoms to brighten the monochromatic modern space.
A trip to a semiformal event inspired Maria’s choice to have gray bridesmaid dresses. A friend was wearing a short gray dress that she had worn as a bridesmaid, and Maria knew she wanted that summery look. The groomsmen dressed in charcoal gray suits to match.
Rehearsal Dinner on Private Chicago Boat Cruise
“I wanted my wedding to be bright, cheery, happy and fun. This is where our florist, Erin, excelled,” Maria says. Erin used the colors the bride loves, with birch and silver accents to match. “Erin did an amazing job of bringing light, color and happiness to the space.”
The couple placed two bright, colorful paper airplanes on each guest’s chair. The guests tossed the paper airplanes during Maria and Jeff’s first kiss as newlyweds.
Ethereal Floral Crystal Bridal Hairpiece
Oil and Vinegar Mini Bottle Escort Cards
Bright, vibrant arrangements created by Erin of the Revel Group added light and joy to the modern Terzo Piano area in the Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago. "When Erin revealed the prototype for what my flowers and table settings would be like, I cried, since it was perfect," Maria says.
Colorful Flowers on Modern Chicago Dining Table
Bright Floral Centerpiece With Orange Roses and Proteas
Blue hydrangeas framed tall arrangements of curly willow topped with colorful orchid blossoms to add whimsy to the modern atmosphere.
Modern White Chair With Colorful Orchid Drape
DJ Rachel from Toast & Jam played a wide array of dinner and dancing music. “The dance floor was never still,” Maria says.
The Chicago skyline was not just in the backdrop of Maria and Jeff’s wedding: Their cutting cake had the skyline silhouette too. In addition to cupcakes, they also had a late-night snack: a gelato cart, with six delightful flavors. “Having ice cream at our wedding was my only must-have,” Maria says.
Charcoal Gray Groom's Suit in Chicago