Last holiday season, Guggenheim Partners contracted our team to design and produce a holiday party at the Trump Tower Chicago, in the Grand Ballroom. The event had to be stunning and dramatic without becoming over-the-top. We were definitely up for the challenge and worked hand-in-hand with the planners on the client side in realizing this event.

Our part included a dramatic fabric entry for guests to pass through as they exited the elevators. Once inside, we created a display of tree branches with hanging crystals to frame the best view in the city and use it as a photo-op. Once inside, light blue perimeter lighting around the entire space and around the support column set the mood. We also brought in special lights to project falling snowflakes onto the dance floor and additional overall lighting washed the massive space in a matching blue color. To complete the look in the space, we brought in six glow bars with vinyl decals of snowflakes.

After months and months of meticulous planning, the event came to be and went off without a hitch. Nearly 400 guests sipped and mingled for several hours, enjoying our ambiance and decor.

This was our first event at the Trump Tower Chicago, but not the last – stay tuned for more of our work in this landmark venue.

Room 1520, the stunning, modern and minimal wedding and event venue in the West Loop  launched in exquisite style. For the event we partnered with a number of Chicago’s top wedding vendors to create this luscious, luxurious event where 350+ guests mixed and mingled, enjoying the very first look at this venue.

The event included upscale treats from several catering companies, a premium open bar and even coffee from Intelligentsia. To top it off, a group of aerialists performed for the guests throughout the evening.

Our part included creating the overall light ambiance with dozens of cool-blue and pale lavender light. We also hung dozens of our chandelier crystals over the seating areas. For a stunning centerpiece, we created a suspended sheer fabric canopy with a matching wall of fabric behind it for several curved sofa sectionals.

Since then Room 1520 has taken off – hosting dozens of weddings, even being featured on Style Me Pretty multiple times. And even though these photos are two years old, we still get calls about these photos so we know it’s not just us who’s falled in love with the simple elegance and cool, modern vibe.

Scroll through for the amazing photos by Avery House

Contact Room 1520 about hosting your wedding, corporate event or social gathering today.

Our work at the Rookery Building was recently part of a civil union that was historic in a small way – it was the first such union performed at the 130+ year-old Chicago landmark. Kevin & Patrick were such a sweet couple – the way they showed affection during the ceremony touched everyone in the audience.

The two had a Scottish -inspired Jewish ceremony complete with a chuppah that brought both their cultures in a unique way. For their event we draped both the lower and upper levels with our standard ivory linen fabric, along with a dramatic entryway display of light and fabric – scroll down for the images.

Visit Kevin Weinstein‘s website to view his portfolio. Toast and Jam kept the party moving all night – visit their website. Catering by George Jewell. Chuppah & florals by Anthony Gowder.

We recently worked on a spectacular civil union project at Room 1520. This West Loop venue played host to a romantic and glamorous affair for a beautiful and lovely couple who were a joy to work with.

Below are just a few teasers of their event. We loved all the details – the mercury glass, the chandeliers and vintage crystals and lots and lots of luxurious panels of fabric and soft uplighting which all combined to create a truly beautiful setting.

Enjoy this sneak peek while we wait for the official photos to come in – all photos taken by Deborah’s iPhone.

Florals by Juliet Tan of Cattleya Bridal. Be sure to visit Room 1520’s website for more information.

This handsome couple had their wedding at Room 1520 in the West Loop. For their ceremony, the pair stood underneath a beautiful chuppah wedding structure covered in curly willow and flowers. The structure held lace over the couple during the ceremony. It was a whimsical and romantic touch to an already elegant affair for 150 guests.

For the ceremony, we washed the aisle with an amber light that made the space glow with warm, bright light, forming a focal point right at the ceremony area. Later, for the reception we transformed the space with a a cool-blue and lavender perimeter lighting all along the exposed brick walls of the venue.

The whole event had a very laid-back attitude very much appropriate for the setting. Scroll through the gorgeous pictures by Olivia Leigh and take in the fun ambiance and gorgeous setting at this West Loop wedding venue.

Hello Darling provided the florals and styling for this chuppah.

 Be sure to visit Olivia’s website to view more of her work. Contact Room 1520 today to host your wedding or reception there.

This recent Stan Mansion wedding reception remains one of our recent favorites. Artfully captured by the very talented Bethany of Maypole Studios, you can see from the photos how the event effortlessly captured the personalities of the couple. The two were so fun – dancing and having a great time until the very last.

Using a striking black and red palette, the couple was not afraid of color, creating lots of contrast with their centerpieces and decor. The overall look gave the room so much lively energy. We brought in bright red draping around the focal center stage area with pink uplighting and amber branch projections that created a strong focal point for the entire space and complemented the manzanita branch centerpieces by Cattleya Bridal. Along with the stage, we also created a dramatic entryway display in a matching red fabric.

The manzanita branch centerpieces by Cattleya also included vivid red flowers on the branches and beautiful hanging votives – a modern and elegant look that alternated with a collection of hurricane votives with submerged matching flowers. There were, of course, lots of candles throughout and red everywhere one looked.

Scroll through the photos and let us know what you think in the comments below.

This dramatic place card table greeted the guests as     

The groom was very stylish with his Ohio-themed tie pin and cufflinks made from vintage CTA subway tokens. And below, the bride had the most fun, with these pint-sized entertainers who helped get everyone on the dancefloor.

Photos by Bethany of Maypole Studios. Visit Stan Mansion website to inquire today. Florals by Juliet of Cattleya Bridal.

This Stan Mansion wedding reception turned our so beautifully. While we have the privilege of working with all the couples that book the venue as part of our exclusive event decor and event production privileges, we loved working with this couple who were so obviously having a lot of fun all throughout the planning process. Of course, this only made our jobs that much easier. They had lots of fun and inventive ideas for their special day and it clearly showed. Purple was the main color throughout the evening and hues and shades of lavenders as well as purples dotted the evening.

Our part was creating the dramatic stage fabric display and uplighting, providing a centerpiece to the entire evening. We also created a beautiful display of crepe-back satin fabric – which guests walked through as they walked up the stairs to the main room. On the landing they were greeted by our crepe-back satin fabric, leading them up to a touching display of family wedding photos from several generations. This fabric display, although a small touch compared to the rest of the decor was important, setting the mood and stage for the evening, letting guests know right away they were entering a special place.

In the main space, aside from the central stage, we created washes of purple throughout, with overlaid projections of branch patterns for a softer look that complemented the purple uplighting. Be sure to scroll through the pictures and leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Photos courtesy of Stan Mansion. Photography by Husar Photography. Florals by Cattleya Bridal.

The many beautiful, historic venues in Chicago provide endless inspiration for our work and today we are examining the history of one of our venue partners – the stunning and storied Stan Mansion in Logan Square. It took over a century for this Masonic Lodge to become the unique wedding venue that it is today – this is a brief look back at that journey.

Facing the historic Logan Square boulevard, the mansion is a part of the 2 1/2 miles of the Logan Square Historic District, an area that has remained virtually unchanged for 100 years. The homes that line the boulevards were never converted into rooming houses or low rent apartments like other parts of the City and have retained most of their beautiful woodwork, stained glass windows and original charm.

The building was built in 1921 during the area’s greatest years. Just a few years earlier, in 1918, Illinois celebrated its centennial. That year, a classical columnar monument topped with an eagle was commissioned. Logan Square, being one of the most influential neighborhoods in the state, was selected as the site for this memorial – this landmark is now the symbol of the neighborhood and is just steps away from the venue.

What’s most impressing is that the grandiose building was built in just six months. Built to house a chapter of the Knights Templar, the building remained a masonic lodge for a majority of it’s years until the neighborhood saw a decline. Years later, Cera Stan and her husband bought the building and from then on Cera took on the maintenance and restoration of the building, including a recent and complete refresh in 2012 that finally returned the building to it’s original splendor.

In the few years since opening it’s doors, the Stan Mansion has become a highly successful and popular wedding and event venue, where the historic elegance, the large capacity and many options for customizing events have drawn couples and corporate clients of every kind. You can see some of these events in this blog and in the venue page – leave your thoughts in the comments below.

A brochure from 1928, featuring the building and the venue today. Historic photos courtesy of Stan Mansion. Venue photo by Adrian Nastase.

The Style Me Pretty feature for this Room 1520 wedding is our second recent mention on that blog. The editors over there really adore the West Loop venue’s clean lines and modern aesthetic and it was no surprise to see this lovely wedding featured on their site.

For this wedding, we worked with the couple to create a chuppah fabric structure to match the venue’s elegant look. We kept the chuppah simple, but nonetheless it created a dramatic and engaging focal point for the entire ceremony. It was the perfect canvas for the couple to stand in front of and as you’ll see, it created a romantic and clean backdrop for their pictures, softly filtering the light coming in from the outside to give the ceremony area a beautiful glow.

Scroll through the gallery of photos from Jeremy Lawson’s Photography and let us know your thoughts in the comments!

See the rest of the feature and the amazing team of wedding vendors here. Photos by Jeremy Lawson Photography. Be sure to visit the venue’s website to inquire. Event planning by Engaging Events by Ali.

This Rookery Building wedding is the epitome of the class, elegance and sophistication inherent in the building. We’ve talked at length about the history and charm of the venue and when a wedding like this comes along, it all comes together in a brilliant way that is just gorgeous.

Of course, the editors at Style me Pretty took note and promptly featured it on their website. Scroll through for the stunning photos and be inspired by the setting, the clean lines, DIY touches and the gorgeous, beaming couple.

We love this clean and minimal display created by Juliet, from Cattleya Bridal. Using a collection of pillar votives in varying sizes created this stunning place-setting look. We could see so many brides using this idea – even a DIY bride could easily recreate this look, it’s so versatile! You will see, the couple opted to wrap both levels of the interior in fabric, creating a seamless, complete look that added to the feeling of elegance throughout the evening. Wrapping the second level is, of course, optional, but more and more Rookery couples opt for that look on their big day.   

You can see the rest of the feature and the stunning details here. Florals by Cattleya Bridal. Wedding planning by Soiree Weddings & Events.  Photos by George Street Photo & Video.

This was a recent corporate holiday party we designed and produced at Room 1520. We loved working on this event enough that we also created this video slideshow for you to enjoy – take a look and share your thoughts in the comments.

You can see the photos used in the slideshow in this blog post. Photos by Vitaliy Vladimirov.

There are so many amazing, unique and interesting Chicago event venues, we never get tired of talking about them. All across the city couples and clients will find spaces of every shape and size and look for whatever their vision may be.

Loft on Lake is a great example, because as a blank canvas of a space, no matter what the client’s visions may be, the space allows for all kinds of customization as far as the look and feel of an event. Popular with weddings, the space is also an ideal location for many kinds of corporate events. Most recently, the venue hosted fashion shows, car launches, holiday parties, and luncheons. Below is a recent corporate themed party we produced at the venue for “CEOs Around the World”

“Roarin’ Chicago” was the theme – and we provided the layout and setting by bringing in light, fabrics and props to set the mood for the guests. We guided the client to the optimum placement and overall design of the event – for example we insisted they bring in red velvet tablecloths – the unusual touch was a big hit with the guests.

Our floral partner, Cattleya Bridal & Floral Design created the stunning ostrich feather centerpieces that gently swayed in the breeze created by the fans. We also brought in the candle-lit bar backsplash and the L-shaped curved, leather-lined black bar – also a big hit with the guests.

Can you then see why It’s hard to believe the above space is the same as below – with the soft amber lighting and the minimal decor, but there are the beams and the trademark skylight. Below, are three separate recent weddings and receptions at the venue that featured our work.

We love this last shot of an aisle. The soft, romantic glow and the elegant touches are stunning, and the very opposite of the corporate event at the top. Corporate event photos by Vitaliy Vladimirov. Wedding photos courtesy of Lofty Weddings Photography.

We loved being part of this beautiful Kitchen Chicago wedding. We helped this couple transform fun and unique wedding venue in the artsy West Loop neighborhood into a warm and intimate affair perfect for their DIY-chic style.

To create that perfect setting for their ceremony, we created a wall of fabric in our trademark ivory crepe-back satin, with a simple and elegant wedding structure in a matching fabric, using our lovely hanging crystals to add a touch of sparkle to the ceremony.

For the reception, we created soft swags of sheer fabrics to help lower the venue’s sweeping ceilings and create more of an intimate setting for the party below. The reception was where the bride’s creativity really shone – using simple but meaningful touches throughout the party allowed the couple to cut costs while still having fun.

Scroll through for details and lots of warm touches. Do you like this Kitchen Chicago wedding? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Beautiful photos by Agnes Malorny. Visit Kitchen Chicago’s website and learn more about this West Loop alternative wedding venue. See more about this wedding right here on Style Me Pretty.

This Glessner House Museum wedding was a beautiful summer soiree at this historic and unique wedding venue. Seeing these pictures when it’s so cold outside really makes us wish for the warm, long summer nights.  You’ll see that the bride wore a simple, vintage-infused dress with a lot of fun details – even wearing a black sash and heels to match her groom’s black and white suit ensemble. They both looking sharp! The couple were smart in keeping their decor simple. Even the florals were a bit restrained – letting the bride’s glowing smile radiate and fill the space with warmth. Doing so really let the lush museum setting provide the perfect setting for the evening.

The couple opted to cover the dance floor with a tent – so to bring a bit of organic whimsy to the dancing area, we project many overlapping branch patterns, creating a lush setting to match the beautiful garden setting of the museum’s Courtyard in a color that picked up the blues and greens from the bride’s bouquet. We loved designing this event!

We are the exclusive vendor for light, fabric and event production at this venue. Inquire about hosting your wedding at the Glessner House. Joe Gallo Photography generously provided the photos – be sure to visit his website and see the full range of his work.

The Stan Mansion is one of Chicago’s many weddding and event venues, where we are the exclusive vendor for all event production, decor and design. While we most often work with couples in producing their weddings and receptions,  for this NYE event decor, we kept in line with the Parisian elegance of the event.

The sold-out party was one of the most exclusive parties in the city. With delicious Hors D ‘Oeuvres and dinner served by D’Absolute Catering, the party featured multiple live performances and a premium top shelf open bar. Running late into the morning, the black tie affair drew hundreds of stylish attendees who filled the historic venue, taking in our NYE Event Decor and stunning feather centerpieces by Cattleya Bridal.

Part of the NYE event decor included upgraded, custom 20-foot panels of luxurious crepe-back satin fabric that formed the VIP settings to both sides of the main room. To add more flair to the look, we projected soft swirls over the fabric.

The place settings were elaborate and crystal-laden – going with the elaborate, Parisian-flair of the overall event.

Be sure to visit venue’s website & book your event there today. Photos courtesy of D’Absolute Catering.

The West Loop, as the name suggests, is located directly west of Chicago’s downtown core. Where once the area was home to an endless number of factories and warehouses, today the neighborhood is well-known for the way art galleries, some of the city’s top restaurants, such as Girl and the Goat and Publican and meat-packing plants all mix and mingle as more and more empty old brick buildings are converted into luxurious lofts. Less known is how the area is also home to a surprising number of wedding venues.

These West Loop wedding venues, listed in no particular order, are all a perfect match for urban couples looking for something unexpected or unconventional for their Special Day. Over the years we have worked with all of them and wanted to share with you all of these unique wedding venues.

Loft on Lake

This West Loop wedding venue is a great way to start our list – an elegant and refined space, it is distinctly warm thanks to it’s exposed brick and vintage timber beams. The venue’s centerpiece is a sweeping, 65′-long skylight that floods the Loft with light during the day and makes it an ideal choice for hosting a ceremony. Having hosted hundreds of events since it’s inception in 2009, Loft on Lake joined the Green Wedding Alliance, giving couples looking to “Green” their Special Day. Explore our work at this venue. Visit their website.

Room 1520

Just a little over a year ago, this West Loop wedding venue was a virtual unknown but in just a year, it’s modern and minimal aesthetic has charmed Chicago couples who have flocked to the venue to experience it’s clean lines, crisp white walls and a flair for the unexpected, as each couple tends to truly transform the space for their weddings. See more of our work at this venue. Visit their website.

Galleria Marchetti

This venue has been a well-known wedding and event venue for many years – even with the spate of recent venue options popping up in the West Loop, the Galleria has everged stronger than ever, hosting dozens of gorgeous weddings that give urban couples the best of both worlds: an urban setting, a lush outside area the flexibility of customizing their events as they see fit. See more images from the gorgeous purple-tinged reception at this space here.  Visit their website.

Salvage One

Among west loop wedding venues, Salvage One is perhaps most recognized – for years also functioning as a vibrant architectural artifact resale store – the lower level of the building supplies some of the city’s most stylish with unusual and historic elements from all around the world. The rambling setting plays host to wedding and receptions – with ceremonies in the fun outside fountain area and the receptions in the exposed and airy upstairs. Visit their website.

Ignite Glass Studio

Ignite Glass Studio is the newest addition to West Loop’s wedding venue scene – this recently opened space is a functioning glass and art factory, where dozens of artists create beautiful and intricate artworks. We hope future Chicago couples are inspired by the space’s creative pedigree and open & flexible layout for their events.

Kitchen Chicago

Kitchen Chicago may be, even among west loop wedding venues, a somewhat unexpected choice, considering it’s also a functioning shared kitchen space for a number of local bakeries and other businesses. With the right touches, however, the space is transformed into a warm and intimate space that is ideal for couples looking to have a really personal experience in a unique space, without breaking the bank. Visit their website.

Here’s another beautiful Rookery Building wedding. A real Chicago wedding from earlier this year, this wedding ceremony was a simple and minimal affair where the decor played off against the ornate and beautiful detailing of this historic venue.

A traditional Jewish ceremony, this lovely couple opted for a clean and minimal chuppah structure that allowed a good number of people to stand underneath and allow all the guests to see into the ceremony space. The bride was led to the chuppah by her parents and our fabric upgrade at the top of the stairs was a great and economic choice to enhance the look of the pictures, without requiring the couple to drape off the entire second floor.

      We are the exclusive vendor for light & decor for all Rookery Building weddings. To learn more about the venue, explore the Rookery Building portal here. Photography by Andre LaCour Photography.

Earlier this year we were part of yet another Galleria Marchetti wedding. The beautiful & unique wedding venue played host to this couple’s gorgeous summer soiree. Featuring gorgeous and thoughtful touches throughout, it was a memorable evening.

While it’s hard to pick just one favorite detail, it could easily have been the champagne bar which served the guests a number of lively and fresh cocktails during cocktail hour. The couple included sweet touches, such as colorful bunting and menus for the bar, matching signs for their sweetheart table and simple but elegant decor that let the setting really shine and make a statement.

The definite centerpiece of this West Loop reception was the up-lighting of the permanent tent structure that transformed the already beautiful space into something even more elegant with our summer branch gobos in soft shades of purples, pinks and lavenders.  The couple even had their initials projected on the dance floor in a matching tone.

We’ve worked with the photographer, Steve Koo, a number of times and know him to be talented & creative, but we can’t help but be a little proud of how our light & attention to detail comes through in so many of the pictures. Be sure to visit his website sometime, but meanwhile, scroll through the gallery and be inspired by this real Chicago wedding!

Photos by Steve Koo Photography. Venue: Galleria Marchetti. Event Planning by Sweetchic Events.

As you saw in Part 1 of this real Chicago wedding, the couple warmed the clean and elegant aesthetic of the Room 1520 with our amber and pink lighting.

For the rest of the evening, the couple continued to glow, as if still lit. You can see from the photos how they reused the ceremony draping as a backdrop for their sweetheart table. For the dancing and the reception, we continued the same lighting palette as in their ceremony, using soft blues, purples and pinks to tie the light & decor to the centerpieces and the many romantic details throughout the event.

In case you missed it, the previous post featured this wedding’s soft and elegant ceremony – view those photos here.

Thank you to Jason & Anna Photography for so beautifully capturing our work and for sharing the images with us. Be sure to visit their portfolio.

The civil union decor at this Loft on Lake event was soft, romantic, with a slight touch of rustic elegance. The two gorgeous brides had a strong vision when it came to their event decor and were so sweet and gracious every step along the way.

Their “first-peek” was touching for everyone – both teared up at once and all through the evening, the ceremony and reception were filled with touching moments such as these that really made this event special.

Aside from building the forty-foot wall of crepe-back satin fabric, we gave the space extra warmth with soft amber uplighting and touches color and light throughout. For the reception, we added draping at the back of the space to create a clean look with a branch GOBO projection that matched the couple’s aesthetic.

Photos by Lofty Weddings Photography. Courtesy of Loft on Lake. Catered by Honest Foods.