Modern, Timeless, Fall Wedding at Rockwell on the River in Chicago, IL Wedding Feature: Emma and Frank
Emma and Frank’s wedding day was so full of emotion and love and we truly can’t get enough. The ceremony and reception were both at Rockwell on the River in Chicago and we provided day-of coordination so they could actually enjoy their wedding day.
For a mid-October wedding, the weather only a little chilly but still tolerable for photos to happen outside. Emma and Frank both were hyper focused on their guests’ experience and wanted to make sure it was a seamless day for themselves but also for their loved ones. Frank also wanted to make sure the guests had an unforgettable experience with things like their string quartet, his culture emulated with their food and ceremony traditions, and generally having the focus being on their guests.
With it being the same weekend as the Chicago marathon, they decided to start their day at a Hyatt Regency in Rosemont, IL instead of directly in the city because of the constraints and pricing of the hotels in the city. After they got ready, Emma had a first look with her bridesmaids, dad, and her brother. They were all such sweet, precious moments of the day and they were off to the venue for their photos to get started.
Frank and Emma wanted to do their first look on the walkway in between the buildings which was great for the privacy and the lighting. They also brought their vows with them to privately read them with their backs facing each other before their turned around and saw each other for the first time that morning. It was such a sweet, emotional moment for just the two of them.
They got started with their photos all around Rockwell on the River - one of the many nice things about this venue for a wedding are just how many beautiful locations there are for photos. Once they wrapped up their photos with each other, they did all of their wedding party photos and family photos before the ceremony so that they could take a moment to themselves first and then spend as much time as possible with their family and friends at cocktail hour. Phil did an AMAZING job on their photos - he was incredible to work with and we are so grateful for being able to share his work!!
The string quartet did a lovely job for both their ceremony and their cocktail hour. Thankfully they didn’t have to move very far to get into position! We also adored the programs that Emma and Frank made - we loved the modern elegance and the unique shape being a square instead of a typical rectangle! They didn’t change it up too drastically, but it’s still a detail that makes something simple stand out.
When the ceremony got started the microphone wasn’t on, but we were able to make sure it happened so everyone was able to hear their family friend officiate for them.
Frank had a reserved seat with a bouquet for his late mother, which is always a touching thing to see. It’s one of the sweetest ways to honor your family members that are no longer with us as well as the memory table in the cocktail hour space. Frank also wanted to have a lasso ceremony during the ceremony to honor his culture which we love. The ceremony itself was lovely and quick, and then the guests were ushered back to the cocktail hour space.
The ceremony space was flipped and the chairs were moved to the reception space. The cocktail hour was half inside and half outside on Rockwell’s beautiful outdoor patio. We absolutely loved being able to utilize it as it is so stunning!
The welcome sign that Emma had made flipped around to be added into the seating chart as a photo from their engagement shoot - this DIY seating chart was SO cool with the design being split but still cohesive! We of course moved the welcome sign during the ceremony so that guests already had it ready when it was time for the cocktail hour to begin.
The reception itself was something out of a dream - the wood, black and white checkered dance floor, chandeliers, and candles were all so romantic, elegant, timeless, and classic. Emma and Frank did a casual room reveal to see everything before mingling with their friends and family and their reaction to the space was SO sweet! They were so happy, and we were so glad to have been a part in pulling everything together. Of course, our florist, production, and catering teams did an amazing job bringing this space to life!
There were the traditional elements of the day, like the speeches, grand entrance, cake cutting, that everyone seemed to enjoy.
Dinner was amazing - Cocina Fusion is absolutely incredible at their service and the food alike. The guests seemed to love it too! We thought it was fun to hear in Emma’s brother’s speech that it just so happened that he had broken his arm and the man helping him with it was Frank, who had happened to be the same guy Emma had messaged recently! Emma and Frank had their first dance, Emma and her dad had a slow dance that turned into something fun, and then Frank danced with his godmother that really was emotional for everyone. Emma and Frank were definitely a sweet pairing, and hearing the speeches and seeing the dances really made us emotional too.
After the formal dances, the dance floor opened and it was FULL the whole night! There were so many fun songs that the DJ played that were able to get everyone on the dance floor! The churro station was definitely loved by all for dessert with cake and the tacos for the late night snack were also something that all the guests loved.
Overall, Emma and Frank were able to enjoy their time with all of their favorite people and we are so thankful to have been a part of it. The emotions that they had truly showed us how deep their love was not only for each other, but all of their family and friends. We really loved being able to help them all celebrate with each other without having to worry about any details or logistics. We can’t express enough how enjoyable it was to work with such a sweet, lovely couple like them and we just are so grateful for the opportunity to be involved in weddings like these.
A lovely email we received from Emma after the wedding day:
“We have just returned from our honeymoon, and our feet have touched the ground. We've been absolutely FLOATING since our wedding day. What a dream!
We cannot begin to thank you enough for everything you and your team did to make our day so seamless. You were dependable, thoughtful, organized, and so experienced! Every moment of the day was lovely, and I know you played such a huge role in that. Thank you to you and Phoebe both for arranging everything we brought with such care, and for coordinating with the many vendors throughout the event. It was a pleasure working with you, and we will most definitely leave reviews and spread the word!
We are so very grateful. Thank you for everything!”
Firmly Rooted Events
If you’re looking to have a wedding where you can focus on the fun and not on the details too, reach out to us at our contact page and we would be happy to help you have a great time on your wedding day!
Vendor Credits:
Venue: Rockwell on the River - @rockwellontheriver
Photo/Video: Native Among You Photography & Videography - @nativeamongyou
Coordination: Firmly Rooted Events - @firmlyrootedevents
Hair: Hair by Juan José - @hairbyjuanjose
Makeup: Tilly Looks - @tillylooks
Florist: Two Sisters Event Floral - @twosistersevents
Ceremony Musicians: Innocenti Strings - @innocentistrings
DJ: Spinnin’ Discs - @spinnindiscs
Catering: Cocina Fusion Catering - @cocinafusioncatering
Transport/Valet: VIP Valet Services - @vipvaletservices
Rentals: Art of Imagination - @art_imagination
Hotel: Hyatt Regency O’Hare Chicago - @hyattohare
