A Modern Loft Wedding at Ravenswood Event Center in Chicago, Illinois

Lance Wahl (41 and in sales and marketing) and Joel Maloof (31 and a chiropractor) met through common friends, dated for four years and got engaged on Christmas Eve. Lance planned the proposal, envisioning that Bailey, the couple’s dog, would carry the ring on a string around his neck. Like most good proposals, the plan didn’t go exactly as expected when Joel saw the string hanging out of Lance’s pocket, tugged it (thinking it was trash) and out tumbled the ring. “The surprise was slightly ruined but very special nonetheless,” Lance says. Six months later the couple got married at Ravenswood Event Center, a loft space in Chicago, Illinois. “We liked the look and feel. It was industrial yet comfortable, and that’s what we wanted,” Joel says. A string quartet played as the couple exchanged heartfelt vows in the top-floor atrium, followed by cocktails and dinner on the second floor, then back to the top floor for dancing. Based on the suit, shirt and tie combinations Lance and Joel chose, the design lent itself to deep orange, navy and gray, a color combo carried into the reception through creative floral displays. Later that night, guests enjoyed pie and gelato followed by a fun dance party by one of the funkiest DJs in town: Daniel Moose, who provided music and sound at the White House in 2013. —Chrissy Sorenson