Kendyll and Chris were married at one of Chicago’s best loft wedding venues: Artifact Events in the city’s Ravenswood neighborhood. I’m a bit partial to the venue because it’s just a few blocks from my home and I’m a well-known sucker for exposed brick loft spaces!
I started with Kendyll and the bridesmaids at The Ambassador Hotel downtown while Allison spent the morning with Chris and the guys. The weather started off a little questionable, but thankfully the skies cleared up just in time for our first look on the rooftop patio at the hotel. The view from there is awesome, prominently featuring the Hancock building amongst the skyline.
After first look we loaded the wedding party up for our portrait tour around some of the city’s best wedding portrait locations: LaSalle Street Bridge, Adler Planetarium and Lincoln Park. It was a bit windy – especially out near the planetarium but we made some great stuff and a good variety.
After we finished at Lincoln Park, we continued up Lake Shore Drive to Artifact Events for the ceremony and reception. Once we arrived at the venue we had enough time for some makeup touchups and our family group photos.
The three-story ceremony space in the North Atrium at Artifact Events is just stunning. It’s a cool mix of modern glass in the middle of an historic loft-style warehouse. Chris’ aunt did a fantastic job officiating and I loved the couples triumphant celebration capped off with a kiss in the aisle at the end.
The reception featured some really funny (and also sweet) toasts by Kendyll’s father, then the featured wedding party members. One of the great things about the Artifact Events space is how we’re able to move around and make some epic wide photos during moments like the first dance. Oh – and this is the first time I’ve seen guests drinking directly from bag/box wine on the dance floor!
Thank you Kendyll and Chris for sharing your wedding day with us and letting us document so many incredible moments!
