1. Real Weddings

A Romantic Urban Wedding at Bridgeport Art Center in Chicago, Illinois

Vibrant summer romance meets rustic urban charm in the stunning Chicago wedding of Brielle Treece (28 and an associate program officer) and Jonathan O

Vibrant summer romance meets rustic urban charm in the stunning Chicago wedding of Brielle Treece (28 and an associate program officer) and Jonathan Osting (29 and a trader). The couple wanted a venue that would pay homage to their hometown and the place they fell in love, Chicago, and the Bridgeport Art Center was the perfect venue for the occasion. “As soon as we walked in, Jonathan and I gave each other the ‘we are definitely getting married here’ look,” says Brielle. “Additionally, Bridgeport is equidistant between our childhood homes, and the location felt symbolic, like we were beginning our married lives together by meeting halfway.” Nicki Eisenstein from BCR Events teamed up with Vince at Kehoe Designs to create the warm, inviting atmosphere with whimsical arrangements of coral and peach flowers with overflowing greens and candelabras. Brielle wore an elegant Ines di Santo sleeveless tulle mermaid wedding dress with lace appliques, styled her hair in a low bun with loose tresses and kept her makeup natural. “Elena (Denning) did a fantastic job creating that ‘bridal glow’ without making me look too gussied up!” says Brielle. For their ceremony, the couple incorporated their families’ religious traditions from their Jewish, Protestant and Catholic backgrounds: They exchanged vows under a huppah repurposed from a 1920s parachute, read both Jewish blessings and Catholic scripture and had a white rose ceremony to honor their mothers. Even though Brielle was very sick the week leading up to her wedding, the support from her vendors, friends and family made the joy she felt on her wedding day unparalleled. “The moment my husband and I had our first look, I knew that this was going to be the best day of my life,” says the bride. “In sum, things may go wrong. You may not feel great, your hair might not look exactly how you imagined, it might rain… But when you are marrying the love of your life, surrounded by the people you love and who love you, it will be a truly magical day.” See the stunning details captured by Beale & Wittig, below.

The bridal bouquet included peach garden roses with a blend of white dahlias, ranunculus, roses and green hydrangea. “I wanted to weave some of the colors from the day in my bouquet, but I also wanted to be sure it remained soft, romantic and bridal,” says Brielle.
One of the groom’s cousins, Margaret Lastick, made the wedding cake. “We showed her pictures of our floral arrangements, and she made the most beautiful cake to match,” says Brielle. The champagne exterior mirrored the table linens, and the sugar blossoms reflected the vibrant summer color palette.
Summer-Inspired Orange and Green Boutonniere
Brielle asked her bridesmaids to wear short, coral chiffon dresses in diverse styles from the Watters line. “I wanted the bridesmaids to embody summer,” says Brielle. “Coral is such a fun color, and there is something very effortless about chiffon.” The groomsmen looked timeless in black Vera Wang tuxedos.
The skyline view and brick and wood surroundings in the Bridgeport Art Center Skyline Loft ceremony location invited guests into the warm, romantic space. Candles and peach, pink and soft green flowers adorned the white linen aisle leading up to a huppah, repurposed from a 1920s parachute.
Mercury Vases and Candelabra Aisle Decor
Brielle and Jonathan incorporated their families’ Jewish, Protestant and Catholic traditions. They got married under a white fabric huppah, read 1 Corinthians and had a white rose ceremony, traditionally done in weddings at the groom’s parish, where the the couple gives white roses to each other’s mothers as thank-yous for raising their child.
Brielle chose a romantic and elegant Ines di Santo sleeveless tulle mermaid-style wedding dress with lace appliques. “I loved that the dress, although ivory, had a blush layer, which gave the color more depth,” says the bride. She wore her hair in a classic bun at the nape of her neck with undone curls framing her face for a timeless look.
Escort Card Table with Warm Summer Flowers
“Our centerpieces brought a distinctly floral and romantic element to the Bridgeport Air Center space,” says Brielle. Tables covered in champagne linens hosted bountiful, vibrant coral and peach flowers and greenery in low vases or tall crystal candelabras, and were covered with candles and tea lights to exude romance.
Brielle and Jonathan wanted a venue that would pay homage to their hometown and city where they fell in love: Chicago. Bridgeport Art Center was the very last venue they visited. “As soon as we walked in, Jonathan and I gave each other the ‘we are definitely getting married here’ look,” says Brielle. “The brick walls, rich wood floors and columns and windows showcasing a skyline view were everything I had hoped for.”
Crystal Candelabra with Coral and Green Flowers
The “table numbers,” made by Magnificent Milestones, were named after famous couples, including Marie and Pierre Curie, Jim and Pam from "The Office," Guinevere and Lancelot and Lucy and Ricky Ricardo. Each card was tented on the corresponding table with a description of the couple.
Brielle and Jonathan chose “Perfect” by Doria Roberts as their first-dance song. Afterward, a 10-piece band, Rendezvous, picked up the pace and got guests out on the dance floor for the rest of the night. “They played a great mix of current hits as well as classics. Our last song of the night was ‘Don’t Stop Believing’ by Journey, and Jonathan and I got on stage and danced our hearts out,” says Brielle.
Cutting DIY Wedding Cake in Chicago
Coral and Pink Summer Floral Centerpieces
Romantic Rustic Head Table with Vibrant Flowers
Ines di Santo Lace Applique Wedding Dress