There’s something especially beautiful about a wedding that brings together so many people you love in one place.
For Mikayla and Cam, that meant a summer wedding in the heart of Chicago, surrounded by lush greenery, their closest people, and a guest list of nearly 230 friends and family.
From getting ready at the JW Marriott Chicago to their ceremony and reception at the Garfield Park Conservatory, their wedding was an absolute blast
A Chicago Wedding Day
Mikayla and Cam spent the morning getting ready at the JW Marriott Chicago, with the ladies beginning their day around 7 AM and the guys joining in later in the morning.
Mikayla and Cam chose to have a first look, giving them a quiet moment together before the rest of the day unfolded.
And with their wedding party and immediate family photos planned before the ceremony, they were able to spend more of the afternoon actually enjoying the people around them.
A Ceremony Surrounded by Greenery
The ceremony took place at the Garfield Park Conservatory, one of Chicago’s most distinctive settings for a wedding.
There is something inherently romantic about getting married surrounded by plants, glass, natural light, and so much greenery.
At 5:30 PM, Mikayla and Cam officially became husband and wife in front of their family and friends.
Making Time for the Two of Them
One thing Mikayla and Cam made clear in their questionnaire was that their couple portraits were important to them.
They wanted to spend around 45 minutes to an hour taking portraits together, and I was very much on board with that.
I will always encourage couples to protect some time for just the two of them on their wedding day.
Because your wedding day can move incredibly quickly.
There are family members to hug, friends to talk to, vendors to coordinate with, speeches to hear, and a million little things happening around you.
But your portraits give you permission to step away from all of that for a little while.
Cocktail Hour at the Conservatory
After the ceremony, guests moved into cocktail hour while Mikayla and Cam continued celebrating with their people.
There were live musicians, a beer wheelbarrow, drinks, and plenty of time for everyone to mingle before the reception officially began.
I love when cocktail hour feels like an actual part of the celebration rather than simply a gap between the ceremony and reception.
A Night Full of People They Love
The reception kicked off with entrances for the parents and wedding party before moving into a full evening of speeches, dancing, and celebration.
Mikayla and Cam’s reception included speeches from the parents of the bride, maid of honor, and best man, followed by a toast from the newlyweds.
There was cake cutting, a first dance, a mother-son dance, and a daughter-and-dad dance.
Why Garfield Park Conservatory Is Such a Beautiful Chicago Wedding Venue
There are so many reasons the Garfield Park Conservatory makes such a memorable setting for a Chicago wedding.
The conservatory offers something that is hard to replicate: the feeling of being completely surrounded by nature while still being right in the middle of the city.
The glass architecture, tropical greenery, natural textures, and variety of spaces create an incredible environment for both a wedding ceremony and reception.
And from a photography perspective, having so much visual interest in one location means there are endless opportunities to create portraits that feel different from one another throughout the day.
The Team Who Made It Happen
Venue: Garfield Park Conservatory
Planner: Emily Nuzzo Events
Florist: Studio Poppy
Photography: Sydney Darwin Photography
Videography: Sauer Productions
Catering: Jewell Events Catering
DJ: Best Life Entertainment
Makeup: Ethereal Beauty
Hair: Ethereal Beauty
Rentals: A Posh Production
Cake: Ambrosia
Transportation: The 312 Limo
Stationery: Grace & Ivy Designs
Hotel: JW Marriott Chicago
Additional Hotel: The Midland Hotel
Additional Hotel: Hyatt Centric The Loop Chicago
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