A Glam, Modern New Year's Eve Wedding at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, Illinois

Jordan (32 and a lawyer) and Bakari (33 and a financial advisor) rang in the start of their marriage with a festive, New Year’s Eve affair. “We made sure that our reception lasted well past midnight,” Jordan says of gifting guests with beads, hats and celebratory noisemakers.

Guests found their seats via escort cards displayed in champagne glasses before joining the newlyweds on the dance floor. “We had a countdown going on a big screen,” Jordan says. “After we all rang in the New Year, we watched the fireworks at Navy Pier, which we could see thanks to the planetarium’s amazing views.”

As a nod to the couple’s alma mater, guests signed Yale pennants and sipped on signature cocktails dubbed the “The Bulldog” and “The Yalie.” Dozens of candles and a ceremony arch draped in string lights illuminated the rooftop space, along with large globe lights that resembled faux fireworks.

Jordan and Bakari passed on a traditional cake in favor of a tiered doughnut display. “We brought in favorites from a local shop that we frequent almost weekly,” Jordan says. At her mom’s insistence that the newlyweds cut into an actual cake, Jordan topped the indulgent tower with a small confection.