Bridgeport Art Center – Chicago Wedding | Sarah + Jacob

I kicked off my 2020 Chicago wedding season this weekend celebrating Sarah & Jacob at the Bridgeport Art Center. If this Chicago wedding was any indication of how my 2020 season is going to go…it’s going to be one heck of a year! I have been looking forward to this wedding since 2018, and loved getting to know Sarah & Jacob more over the past year – especially when we did photos at the Chicago Riverwalk for their engagement session! They are easy going, goofy, and love to have a good time. Above all else, they are so unbelievably madly in love with each other.

I started the day with the girls, and man of honor at the Carleton Hotel in Oak Park while my second shooter hung out with the guys close by. The vibe was a mix of excitement and relaxation. There was champagne for the girls, and ping pong for the guys. After the first snow of 2020, the windows were frosted and the streets outside lined with white – adding a little romance (and cold!) to the day.

Sarah and Jacob had their first look in the middle of the street outside of the Carleton – complete with a red cobble road and stunning hanging lights. Jacob immediately melted upon seeing his bride in one of the sweetest first looks I have ever witnessed. It was just beautiful.

The crew hopped on a party bus and headed to the city for bridal portraits. As lovers of all things city, we stopped back at the Chicago Riverfront and braved the cold for some stunning shots with the Chicago skyline in the background. We even managed to make it onto the Weather Channel who was filming above us! The officiant delightfully shouted “There’s a 100% chance of a wedding today!” The bridal party and bride and groom were absolute rockstars in the cold and had more fun in 10 degree weather than I’ve ever seen anyone have!

We also made a quick stop at the Chicago Cultural Center and ended our portraits at the Washington and Wells subway station! As lovers of the city, and a lover of the L, the couple wanted to embrace one of Chicago’s most iconic features and I loved how creative and special this stop was to both of them. They hopped on trains and kissed along the tracks, the passengers cheered and the lights from the city twinkled in the background – it was just the best.

Sarah looked at me at one point during the day and said, “I’m having so much fun I keep forgetting I’m getting married today!” But alas, we headed to the final stop for the day, The Bridgeport Art Center. The Chicago wedding venue was absolutely breathtaking. With patio lights and candles offering a soft glow everywhere you looked, hints of pine leaves and fresh greenery, and the most thoughtful details from the couple like flannel wraps, and fuzzy socks – the atmosphere was filled with coziness and warmth on a cold Chicago day.

The guests trickled in and the lights dimmed down. The stunning bride walked down the candlelit aisle as her groom held back tears. The bride’s cousin officiated and had the perfect mix of humor, nostalgia, and heart in every word he spoke. The couple had the sweetest personalized vows and seemed to forget about everyone else in the room while saying them. The rings were exchanged, the kiss was epic, and the it was time for the party to begin!

After a champagne exit, a cozy cocktail hour, and an impressive room flip – it was time for dinner under the lights and dancing the night away. There were beautiful speeches, a heartfelt first dance, and the room was filled with smiles and laughter all night. The late night snack – a token of the baseball loving Mr. and Mrs. – hot dogs served by a “stadium” look alike!

Everything about this wedding day was calm, collected, and totally Sarah and Jacob. I couldn’t be more thrilled to have been able to start my 2020 Chicago wedding season with a more wonderful couple and couldn’t be happier for the two of you. You guys really hit this wedding out of the park!