Sam and Josh’s Cafe Brauer wedding took place on the Fourth of July this year, and the holiday’s summery, festive atmosphere was present all day long — from skyline photos on a crystal-clear day through a rocking dance floor from Rod Tuffcurls and the Bench Press, it was a perfect Chicago summer wedding. (Truly, when you know there’s only a few Saturdays a year this beautiful, it makes you appreciate them even more!). As Jen got very close with not just the couple, but also their families over the postponement process, we had the best time revisiting the day through Rebecca Marie Photography‘s beautiful captures, and are so excited to share them here!
An extra year made the day extra special!
Sam’s mom, Beth, reached out to Jen in the beginning of 2020 to have her step in to assist for what we thought would be the final months of wedding planning. Meeting for coffee, it was quickly very obvious that this was a connection that was meant to be. Through the additional year of planning together, Jen was able to share in the happenings in the lives of Sam, Josh and their families — they connected often, even when the planning was on hold, just to be sure all was well!
The morning of the wedding, Beth and Jen were talking about how to help make sure Beth wouldn’t cry before walking her daughter down the aisle. She asked Jen to look at her and say, “Think of New York City garbage!” As Jen was prepping Beth and Michael to walk their daughter down the aisle, it was Jen who started to cry — Beth looked at her, smiled, and said “New York City garbage”.
Lovely Words from the Bride
“Jen was absolutely incredible!! We hired her in February 2020 to do day of/month of planning for our July wedding, but when we had to postpone, she was there for us. She helped us move all of our vendors, rebook a few new ones, and was there as we changed our plans based on state and local COVID rules multiple times…Jen had the whole day planned down to the minute – she’s so organized. She was well connected with our other vendors and it was clear the whole day that she was in charge… I would recommend Jen to anyone! She was a joy to work with.” (Read Sam’s full review and more on Google!)
Five Reasons We Loved This Wedding
- Jen walked home from the wedding! We love that incredible spaces like these are right in our collective backyard.
- The ketubah signing was an incredibly magical moment, where the rabbi was sure to express the importance of Sam and Josh’s relationship with each other — there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
- Guests really enjoyed the Dipsy Dessert cart all night. On a hot July evening, ice cream was the perfect touch!
- Six words: Rod Tuffcurls and the Bench Press. From a record-breaking hora to all kinds of singalong jams, the concert-caliber music kept the dance floor going strong all night!
Sam and Josh, we loved working with you and your families on your amazing day!
Vendor Team
Venue: Café Brauer // Photography: Rebecca Marie // Videography: Old North Film Co. // Catering: Blue Plate // Band: Rod Tuffcurls and the Bench Press // Ceremony Music: Yazz Jazz // Floral: Kloeckner Preferred Flowers // Hair + Makeup: Bianca Sansosti Artistry // Dessert: Dipsy Dessert // Trolley: Second City Trolley // Transportation: Signature // Getting-Ready Hotel: Milennium Knickerbocker
