A Romantic Gray, Peach, and Coral Wedding at an Art Museum in Chicago

November 26, 2012

1 of 28

Credit: Olivia Leigh Photographie

Although Virginia and Matt first met in a college engineering class, it was art that ultimately brought them together. Six years into their relationship, on June 16, 2012, they tied the knot at The Art Institute of Chicago, surrounded by 165 loved ones and spectacular masterpieces.

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 28

The Location

Credit: Olivia Leigh Photographie

With its lakefront views and downtown location, The Art Institute of Chicago provided a striking setting for the couple’s nuptials. Inside the venue, famous artwork and neutral walls helped all of their special details really come to life.

3 of 28

A Large Keepsake

Credit: Olivia Leigh Photographie

The father-of-the-bride framed a poster-sized version of the couple's save-the-date and displayed it at the wedding. The vintage-style announcement was created by Alexander & Company.

Advertisement

4 of 28

The Fashions

Credit: Olivia Leigh Photographie

The bride wore Monique Lhuillier's "Candy" dress, a Twigs and Honey veil, and BHLDN shoes and jewelry. The groom donned a Brooks Brothers "Fitzgerald" suit accented by silver envelope cufflinks with a small letter from Virginia inside, engraved "I love you."

5 of 28

A Special Accessory

Credit: Olivia Leigh Photographie

Virginia found a dazzling clutch at London's Portobello Market and stitched in a custom label made by NameMaker. The bespoke tags were also sewn inside Matt's suit, her gown, on the back of the groomsmen’s ties, and in the flowergirls' tutus.

6 of 28

The Bridal Party

Credit: Olivia Leigh Photographie

The bridesmaids picked out their own peach and coral dresses and accessorized them with aqua earrings from Anthropologie.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 28

Pretty Posies

Credit: Olivia Leigh Photographie

The five bridesmaids carried smaller variations of the bridal bouquet that consisted of roses, ranunculus, scabiosa, dusty miller, seeded eucalyptus, and brunia berries.

8 of 28

The Rings

Credit: Olivia Leigh Photographie

An aluminum box bought on a pre-wedding trip to Turkey housed a small pillow covered with a vintage handkerchief.

9 of 28

All in the Family

Credit: Olivia Leigh Photographie

The bride's young cousins acted as flower girls and ring bearers. Here, the little ladies show off their tutus by TutusChicBoutique and Forever21 headbands.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 28

The Grand Entrance

Credit: Olivia Leigh Photographie

A pair of flower girls, holding nosegays, led the bride and her parents down the staircase to the ceremony.

11 of 28

The Ceremony

Credit: Olivia Leigh Photographie

The service took place on the Women's Board Grand Staircase with the bridal party and immediate family witnessing from the landings and guests from the balcony. Because the venue was quite grand, decor was kept minimal -- just two large floral arrangements. The bride's uncle (in his favorite kilt) officiated the secular ceremony, which included self-penned vows, a reading from The Velveteen Rabbit, and a performance of "Till There Was You" sung by the sister-of-the-bride.

12 of 28

Pictures Around Town

Credit: Olivia Leigh Photographie

The couple and their photographer, Olivia Leigh, traveled around the city for portraits. One of the stops included the industrial West Loop neighborhood, where they posed by railroad tracks, bridge underpasses, and this ivy-covered wall.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 28

Works of Art

Credit: Olivia Leigh Photographie

Virginia and Matt also posed inside the museum. Here they are in front of Georges Seurat's "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte".

14 of 28

The Specialty Cocktail

Credit: Olivia Leigh Photographie
See More Signature Cocktails from Real Weddings

Basil gin martinis were made even more festive with "Eat, Drink, Marry" straw flags.

15 of 28

The Escort Cards

Credit: Olivia Leigh Photographie

Virginia's mother created large watercolor paintings that were cut into tags and calligraphed by Angelique Ink. Each was hung with baker's twine from a stenciled screen the couple brought from their apartment.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 28

The Reception

Credit: Olivia Leigh Photographie

Guests moved outside for the al fresco dinner in the venue's McKinlock Court. A fountain in the middle, along with a replica of Carl Milles's Triton Fountain, made a great centerpiece.

17 of 28

The Reception Decor

Credit: Olivia Leigh Photographie

Flowers were showcased in mercury glass vessels and glittery paper numbers handcrafted by the bride marked each table.

18 of 28

The Menu

Credit: Olivia Leigh Photographie
See More Menus by Style

Bon Appetit prepared the dinner that included a beet and goat cheese salad, pomegranate sorbet, lamb tagliata with polenta, halibut poached in lobster oil with seasonal vegetables, and paneer.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 28

The Favors

Credit: Olivia Leigh Photographie
See More Favor Ideas

Green Jordan almonds were packaged in white sliding boxes then wrapped with marble paper leftover from the invitation envelope liners. A sparkly velvet ribbon finished them off.

20 of 28

A Personal Touch

Credit: Olivia Leigh Photographie
See More Chair Decor

Virginia framed silhouettes of herself and the groom to mark their seats.

21 of 28

Camera Ready

Credit: Olivia Leigh Photographie

During the reception, guests popped into the Magbooth photo booth, and hung their picture strips on a string nearby for all to see.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 28

The Guest Book

Credit: Olivia Leigh Photographie
See More Guest Book Ideas

The bride personalized the opening page of their Velvet Raptor album and set it out for guests' well-wishes. Tape was also handy for affixing photo booth strips into the keepsake book.

23 of 28

The First Dance

Credit: Olivia Leigh Photographie
See More First Dance Songs

The newlyweds chose "You Are the Best Thing" by Ray LaMontagne for their dancing debut.

24 of 28

A Musical Moment

Credit: Olivia Leigh Photographie

Matt and his mother danced to "You Are the Sunshine Of My Life" by Stevie Wonder.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 28

The Sweets

Credit: Olivia Leigh Photographie

A trio of cakes featured five different flavors: lemon with sour cherry filling, chocolate with hazelnut ganache, chocolate with apricot ganache, red velvet with sweet cream filling, and banana with butterscotch ganache. The buttercream and fresh flower-covered confections were created by Flour Cake and Pastry and, like the other delicacies on the table, were displayed on vintage serving ware sourced on Ebay and Etsy. Guests also enjoyed Champagne marshmallows, Mexican hot chocolate marshmallows, and assorted truffles from Truffle Truffle; and macarons by Vanille Patisserie.

26 of 28

A Sweet Saying

Credit: Olivia Leigh Photographie

A sign read "First comes love, then comes dessert."

27 of 28

The Dessert Signs

Credit: Olivia Leigh Photographie

Virginia printed out labels, bordered them with a scalloped trim, and then affixed them to cardstock.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 28

Sources

Credit: Olivia Leigh Photographie

Photography: Olivia Leigh Photograhie

Location and catering: The Art Institute of Chicago

Wedding planning: Hilary Schwartz of Estera Events

Music: Dolce Strings

Flowers: Fleur

Cakes: Flour Cake and Pastry

Stationery: Paisley Quill

Rentals: Private Label Linens; Modern Event Rental; Precision Sound and Lighting

Calligraphy: Angelique Ink

Photobooth: Magbooth

Hair and makeup: Bride Style Beauty

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next

`