Chicago wedding at the WELLESLEY hotel
Associate shot for Cait collins photography
The groomsmen
I started the day of photographing the groomsmen and the groom Cody. They stayed at a hotel near the Wellesley and spent the morning watching football, drinking beer and relaxing.
The Bride / Bridesmaids
The Bride Alexis and her bridesmaids got ready upstairs at the Wellesley hotel in a dark moody bar. It made the photos so interesting and full of glow. Each part of the getting ready space really was so unique and gorgeous
The first look
The boys showed up to the venue and Cody and Alexis got ready for their first look. I set Cody in front of the gorgeous hotel on the streets of Chicago facing away from the venue so that Alexis could walk out to him. The emotions from watching a groom cry is always so wholesome for me to document, and it is truly such a special moment during such a crazy day to make things slow down and just be alone together. After Alexis and Cody's first look we spent about 30 minutes taking their couples portraits before the ceremony.
Ceremony
Their ceremony took place just inside the doors of the hotel. With gorgeous flowers, mirrored ceilings and a live violinist. It made for such a unique and beautiful ceremony.
Cocktail hour
The guests moved into cocktail hour as a live saxaphone was playing. Something super important to Alexis and Cody was simply a big party for them to celebrate with their family and friends. Cocktail hour set the vibe for the rest of the night incredibly.
The reception
The incredible DJ, music choices and guests made this night one for the books. Glasses spilling, money flying around the dance floor, people doing the warm and my personal favorite guests picking Alexis and Cody up on chairs while throwing around rags was ICONIC.
