A Crafternoon Wedding With Painting, Melted Glass, And A Rooftop Ceremony
The picturesque wedding celebration took place on June 1, 2017, at the unique Lacuna Artists Lofts in Chicago, Illinois. The special day was captured beautifully by Erin Hoyt Photography. Joining the couple as their partner were Jennifer and Peter.
Our offbeat wedding at a glance:
Our special day was a joyous celebration that brought together our loved ones for an unforgettable experience. As a couple who share a passion for creativity, adventure, and love, we curated an event that reflected our unique personalities. The highlight of the day was our rooftop ceremony at Lacuna Artists Lofts in Pilsen, where the vibrant graffiti and industrial-chic atmosphere created a stunning backdrop for our vows.
To make it even more memorable, we surprised our 100 guests with a unique art class experience at Lillstreet Art Center, complete with snacks and hands-on creativity. The afternoon was filled with laughter and inspiration as everyone explored their artistic side.
As the sun set, we boarded buses once again and headed back to Pilsen for an evening of feasting, dancing, and merriment amidst the city’s urban art landscape, with bars crafted from shipping containers adding to the festive atmosphere.
Tell us about the ceremony:
Tell us about your reception:
We decided to forego traditional wedding favors and instead give our 100 guests a unique gift – the opportunity to learn a new skill. To achieve this, we chartered buses and took them to Lillstreet Art Center after the ceremony. We hired four artists from the center, along with assistants, supplies, and rooms, allowing our guests to choose from a variety of classes.
The options included creating a triptych painting for our Chicago home, making clay tiles that we later picked up after they were fired, and even attempting cold metal work like hammered copper key chain-making. I was particularly excited about the torch glass bead making experience, where each guest had the chance to make their own glass bead while sitting at a propane torch.
To provide a comfortable atmosphere for our guests, we set up a central room with painting and ceramics stations, along with snacks for those who wanted to mingle. We also took advantage of the studio’s rooftop access, where we got to visit the bee hives (we keep bees at home) – although Peter did get stung! After crafternoon, we boarded the buses once again, returned to the artist lofts, and enjoyed a night of eating, drinking, and dancing.
One of the highlights was our first dance as a married couple, where we waltzed to Kermit singing ‘Rainbow Connection’.
What was your most important lesson learned?
Before diving into the planning process, my partner and I took the time to reflect on what truly mattered to us and what takeaways we hoped guests would leave with months in advance. This exercise helped us better understand each other’s desires and avoid making assumptions. By doing so, we set the tone for a more intentional and harmonious planning experience.
Furthermore, I’d emphasize that we entrusted professionals to handle various aspects of our celebration.
While we appreciate the value of DIY projects and self-sufficiency, we also believe that when someone has dedicated their career to a particular craft or skillset, it’s essential to trust in their expertise. Our willingness to invest in professional services ultimately allowed us to relax and enjoy the experience, rather than stressing over every detail.
Vendors
When it comes to event planning, we’re all about creating an experience that’s truly one-of-a-kind. That’s why we were thrilled to collaborate with an incredible team of vendors who helped bring our unique vision to life.
Behind the lens was Erin Hoyt Photography, capturing every special moment in stunning detail. We also want to give a huge shout-out to Sebastian Orr, whose engagement photography skills are truly top-notch.
The perfect setting for our celebration was Lacuna Artists Lofts, with its unique blend of industrial chic and artistic flair. And when it came time to fuel our festivities, we turned to the talented team at Venue & Catering to craft a menu that was both delicious and memorable.
But it’s not just about the big picture – it’s also about the little details that make an event truly special.
That’s why we brought in Lillstreet Art Center to help us create a series of fun and creative activities, from crafts to games, that kept our guests entertained all day long.
Of course, no celebration would be complete without the perfect attire – which is why we turned to Mignonette Bridal for a custom dress that was both stunning and uniquely ours.
And when it came time to get the party started, Cage and Aquarium brought their A-game with an infectious energy that had everyone dancing the night away.
For those special moments in between, we relied on We Only Do Pretty to help us look our absolute best. And for a little extra glamour, Kat Dejesus worked her makeup magic to make sure we looked like royalty all day long.
Finally, no celebration would be complete without the perfect flowers – which is why we entrusted Flowers for Dreams with creating not just one, but multiple gorgeous arrangements that added an extra touch of elegance and sophistication to our big day.
