It was an unbelievably cold January day, but you’d never know it.

Last January, one of my favorite Chicago creatives, Meg Adamik Creative, and I put together a styled shoot to highlight the unique beauty of intimate elopements in our big city. Styled shoots are a way for creatives like us to collaborate, engage new vendors that we’re dying to work with, thaw out our creative muscles after a quiet winter, and (hopefully!) create some inspiration for couples planning their own wedding. I recruited a real couple, two of my Chicago buds, who braved sub zero weather for these incredible moments. A HUGE kudos to Beau and MC!

We had the pleasure of collaborating with an amazing team of vendors to pull this beautiful day off, and I am so glad to share it (and them!) with you. Especially for those of you who may be considering smaller weddings because of this pandemic state of the world, they are truly beautiful. Seriously.

Vendor Love:

Planning and Coordination: Olive Fine Weddings & Events
Photographer: Meg Adamik Creative
Stationery: Stone Fruit
Venue: The Dawson Chicago
Florist: InFlorEscence
Men's Accessories: Wedding GPS // Surmesur
Gown: Jenny Yoo
Hair and Makeup: Goldplaited
Models: Beau and Mary Claire Spreck

A little description of the day, written by the gal behind the lens, Meg Adamik Creative. She captures everything so beautifully. Enjoy.

“Since their love story began over a decade ago, these two have built a delicately intertwined life, sharing joy, heartbreak, adventure, and wisdom - creating a life firmly rooted in their love for each other. Inseparable from day one and surely until the last, these two are the epitome of soul mates and care more about a life filled with laughter than lavishness.

There’s a freeze that sweeps over Chicago in January that sometimes makes us wonder why we live here. It’s a month of resolutions, hope, and excitement for the new year. It’s also a month of a cold that chills you to the bone and makes you want nothing more than to cozy up with a blanket, a blazing fire, and a glass of whiskey to ignite your insides. There is, however, one thing that could warm up this breathtaking (literally, the cold takes your breath away) city on a day when the windchill is -17, and that, my friends, is a good love story and two individuals so full of heat for each other.
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“Inspired by the lush blues, greys, and charm of Chicago’s downtown, this City Hall styled shoot, planned by Olive Fine Weddings and photographed by Meg Adamik Creative, went for bold rich details that were simple but powerful. We pulled in plenty of textures and accents to pop against a quiet and brisk January Friday in Chicago. We took the simplicity of an elopement at City Hall, and added characteristics that defined the couple: Sorel boots for trekking through a frigid city, a velvet suit embodying the tenderness of the groom’s love for his bride, a playful beaded Jenny Yoo gown to ignite the adventure and beauty of her, a braided crown fit for a princess, deep rich florals to pop against a dull gray sky, and a fireplace backdrop to ignite one heck of a warm and colorful reception.”

“Amongst our favorite components, was the stunning stationery. This unique wedding required total customization to capture the details of an elopement announcement and an invitation to a bash for friends and family. Splashes of rich wine hues and watercolor anemones paired with brush lettering made for a playful & luxe invite. Stone Fruit left a place on the marriage announcement for a candid polaroid snapped by Meg Adamik during the ceremony. The addition of an instant photo means each guest would receive a one-of-a-kind piece!”

“The ceremony went a little like this: bing, bang, boom, now let’s celebrate! The couple legally made it official and saved their heartfelt vows for their reception. After the rings were on each finger, and the papers were signed, they ran through City Hall like they were back running through the halls of their high school, where they met many years ago. They had not a care in the world, with only eyes for each other. And it wouldn’t be a Chicago elopement, without running, quite literally, into City Mayor Rahm Emanuel. His advice for the newly married couple: ‘Marriage is not a destination, it’s a journey’.”

“An intimate reception was all too fitting for an intimate couple with their closest family and friends. They chose the Dawson in the heart of Chicago’s West Loop, to celebrate, with its rich woods, deep blues, comfortable tones and the most curious light streaming in from every quaint corner. It was the ideal location with a private upstairs lounge for celebrating with plenty of room for dancing, snapping polaroids, and of course, warming up with a whiskey or two.

While Chicago may have been frigid, a marriage, and never-ending fire will continue to burn deeply within this exquisite couple for years to come.”