Rocio and Katherine were married last August at the Ace Hotel Chicago in the industrial West Loop neighborhood. They started their day at the Ace, and following their first look they went around the city on several photo stops for gorgeous portraits with Gerber Scarpelli Photography, Their day was filled with their fun-loving spirit as a couple, with organic, rich florals from Steve’s Flower Market and an outdoor cocktail hour with Mariachi Ameca. Check out more from their lovely summer wedding below:
A Perfect Fit
Jen met Katherine and Rocio for coffee last spring of last year — she was really excited about it because this couple had been referred to us by an industry partner. Meeting couples this way is always great because the person referring them usually knows that we’d be a great fit. In this case that was absolutely true! Right from the start, there was a sense of familiarity and ease — it didn’t hurt that Rocio and Katherine are incredibly funny, and there’s really nothing Jen appreciates more than a couple with a good sense of humor. (Not to mention that Rocio is as SoulCycle obsessed as Jen!) When they mentioned during the meeting that they were going to have a marachi band, Jen was all but begging them to hire her! By the time their wedding day arrived, Rocio and Katherine felt like longtime friends, and being with them to celebrate their love was an honor.
In Rocio’s Words:
[Jen] is like your cool cousin, meets Oliva Pope. She just HANDLES things. I’ve been a corporate event planner for nearly 10 years in Chicago, and a promotions coordinator for a few years before that. As such, I have a very high bar when it comes to event planning and coordination, and was very worried about handing off the biggest event in my life to a stranger. Jen almost instantly became a friend, and her planning and execution blew my expectations out of the water. When the day came I didn’t worry about a thing! … Jen was always patient, supportive, and more than willing to answer questions three or four times if need be. Jen has the personality, passion, and organization skills every wedding planner should have.” (read more on WeddingWire)
Our Favorite Moments of the Day
- Rocio and Katherine chose incredible photo spots including the Garfield Park Conservatory and murals around the city. Their portraits are stunning!
- Some uncooperative weather meant Jen and her team made the call to move their outdoor ceremony plan indoors, but Rocio and Katherine went with the flow and showed incredible grace with the last-minute change.
- The happy couple was repaid by nature! They enjoyed a gorgeous evening out on the rooftop for a night of dancing under the stars.
- We loved their mariachi band for cocktail hour — live musicians are the best way to get the party atmosphere going before the reception begins!
Vendor Team
Venue: Ace Hotel Chicago // Photographer: Gerber Scarpelli // Music: Mariachi Ameca // Floral + Decor: Steve’s Flower Market // DJ: Dustin Harris // Photo Booth: I Love Photo Booth // Beauty: Pin Me Up + Nickee Aldana
