A bride and groom kiss one another while on a walkway next to the Chicago River before their wedding at the Voco Hotel

Classy Wedding at Voco Hotel in Chicago | Kaila and Frank

A wedding day flatlay consisting of wedding invites, rings photographs, shoes, and other décor.

Kaila and Frank’s October wedding is the perfect example of what a classy and fun wedding day in downtown Chicago can look like! I had the pleasure of photographing their engagement session, and from that point on I had been looking forward to their wedding day. Safe to say that their wedding festivities at Voco Hotel in downtown Chicago did NOT disappoint! I can’t wait to share the highlights of their day with you all, and believe me there’s a LOT of highlights!

Detail photo of wedding rings resting atop one another on a piece of fabric next to some pearls

Starting Their Wedding Day

Both Kaila and Frank started off their downtown Chicago wedding day by getting ready with the help and company of their friends and family in their hotel rooms. These two made sure to surround themselves with those they care about most before the start of their day which is THE perfect way to kick off your wedding day! Once ready both Kaila and Frank made their way out to the Riverwalk for their first look. Having their first look on the Chicago Riverwalk was incredible and felt like a full circle moment as part of their engagement session also took place here! The two could not have had more perfect weather for their day as we had some gorgeous sunshine to work with while taking their portraits. After a few couples portraits we headed to the iconic Union Station for portraits with their wedding parties.

A bride sits on a couch surrounded by her 8 bridesmaids as they all smile before getting ready for the wedding
A bride sits on a couch surrounded by her 8 bridesmaids, the bride has a bottle of champagne and each bridesmaid has a glass
A bride stands and reads a letter before getting ready for her wedding day
A bride sits on a couch next to her mother as the two laugh while sipping champagne before getting ready for the wedding
A bride stands in front of a window and looks over her shoulder as her mother buttons up the back of her dress for her
A bride smiles over her shoulder while looking down at her dress as she stands in front of a window
A bride stands in front of a window and smiles at the camera while in her wedding dress
A groom smiles as he buttons up the sleeves of his shirt while in his hotel room
A groom smiles while looking down as he buttons up his shirt sleeve in his hotel room
A mother looks over her son who is dressed for his wedding day and standing in his hotel room
A photo of the iconic Chicago river and the skyscrapers that surround it
A groom stands outside the Voco Hotel in Chicago and leans against a pillar while waiting for the bride for their first look on their wedding day
A groom smiles as he sees the bride in her wedding dress for the first time while the two stand next to the Chicago River outside the Voco Hotel
A bride and groom kiss one another while on a walkway next to the Chicago River before their wedding at the Voco Hotel
A bride smiles at the camera while the groom goes in to kiss her cheek while they stand next to the Chicago River
A bride smiles as the groom kisses her on the head while they stand on a walkway next to the Chicago River
A bride smiles as she looks down at her bouquet while the groom kisses her cheek while the two stand next to the Chicago River
Black and white photo of a bride and groom walking hand in hand along the Chicago Riverwalk and smiling at one another
A bride and groom dance together while standing on the Chicago Riverwalk outside the Voco Hotel
A groom wraps his arm around the bride as the two look over a railing at the Chicago River while outside their wedding venue, the Voco Hotel

Portraits and a Ceremony

Kaila and Frank made it a priority to have their wedding party portraits and newlywed portraits done prior to their reception. This was so that they could maximize their time at their cocktail hour, enjoying themselves with their guests, and I am SO here for it! The ever gorgeous Union Station in Chicago was the perfect spot for their portraits. Both inside and out, Union Station has such a historic and elegant style to it that fit the feel of Kaila and Frank’s wedding day to a T! After portraits were done it was time to head to St Michael Church which kept with the theme of historic elegance. Kaila and Frank chose to have a traditional wedding ceremony at St Michael’s, after which it was time for a bubble exit, and for us to make our way to Voco Hotel in downtown Chicago for their cocktail hour and reception!

A bride and groom stand with their wedding party members on a staircase inside of Chicago's Union Station for a group portrait
A bride stands with her 8 bridesmaids in front of a staircase inside Chicago's Union Station as the bridesmaids all smile towards the bride
A groom stands with his 8 groomsmen inside of Chicago's Union Station for a group portrait in front of a staircase
A bride and groom stand on a staircase in Chicago' Union Station for a portrait photo as they smile at the camera
A bride smiles at the camera while the groom kisses her head while the two stand on a staircase inside of Chicago's Union Station
A bride smiles and laughs while the groom tells her a joke while the two are inside Chicago's Union Station
A bride and groom kiss one another while inside of Chicago's Union Station
A bride smiles at the camera while the groom hugs her from behind and kisses her head while the two are inside of Chicago's Union Station
Black and white photo of a bride being hugged from behind by the groom, the focal point of the photo is the couple's hands intertwined
A bride and groom stand facing one another and smile while standing inside of Chicago's Union Station
A bride smiles at the camera while the groom hugs her and kisses her cheek as the two stand inside Chicago's Union Station
A bride and groom kiss one another while the groom hugs the bride inside of Chicago's Union Station
A bride and groom smile at the camera while the groom hugs the bride from behind while inside of Chicago's Union Station
A bride and groom smile at one another while standing side by side inside of Chicago's Union Station
A bride and groom smile at one another and lean in for a kiss while looking out over a balcony inside of Chicago's Union Station
Black and white photo of a bride and groom embracing one another while on a staircase inside of Chicago's Union Station
A bride and groom stand on a staircase inside of Chicago's Union Station as the groom leans in for a kiss
A groom stands with his 8 groomsmen for a portrait photo outside the front entrance of Chicago's Union Station
A bride stands with her 8 bridesmaids on either side of her for a portrait photo outside the entrance of Chicago's Union Station
A bride looks down while holding her bouquet towards the camera as she stands in front of the entrance of Chicago's Union Station
A bride smiles as she walks towards the camera while playing with her dress outside of Chicago's Union Station
A bride and groom smile at one another while they embrace outside of Chicago's Union Station
A bride smiles over her shoulder at the camera as the groom holds her and kisses her cheek outside of Chicago's Union Station
A bride smiles at the camera while the groom stands behind her and kisses her cheek as the two stand outside of Chicago's Union Station
A bride smiles at the groom as he stands behind her and goes in for a kiss while the two are outside of Chicago's Union Station
A bride and groom walk with their wedding parties towards St Michael Church in Chicago for the wedding ceremony
A groom walks down the aisle of St Michael Church in Chicago with his parents for the start of his wedding ceremony
A groom smiles as he stands inside of St Michael Church in Chicago as the bride is walked down the aisle
A bride smiles as her father begins to walk her down the aisle for her wedding ceremony at St Michael Church in Chicago
A bride and her father walk down the aisle of St Michael Church in Chicago during the bride's wedding ceremony
A bride and groom stand side by side at the altar of St Michael Church in Chicago as the pastor speaks for their wedding ceremony
A bride smiles as her father walks her down the aisle of St Michael Church in Chicago for her wedding ceremony
A bride and groom stand next to one another and hold hands while at the altar of St Michael Church in Chicago as the pastor stands in front of them
A groom hugs the mother of the bride while inside of St Michael Church in Chicago after their wedding ceremony
A bride smiles as the mother of the groom congratulates her after the two's wedding ceremony inside of St Michael Church in Chicago
A bride and groom hold hands and face one another while the pastor speaks to them during their wedding ceremony at St Michael Church in Chicago
A bride and groom kiss as guests stand and clap during their wedding ceremony in St Michael's Church of Chicago
A bride and groom kiss one another during their wedding ceremony inside of St Michael Church in Chicago
A bride and groom lift their hands in the air as guests around them clap while they walk down the aisle together after their wedding ceremony at St Michael Church in Chicago
A bride and groom exclaim in excitement as they exit St Michael Church in Chicago after their wedding ceremony, guests around them blow bubbles in the air
A bride and groom kiss one another while outside of St Michael Church in Chicago as guests around them watch
A bride and groom kiss one another while outside of St Michael Church in Chicago as guests blow bubbles around them

Wedding Reception at Voco Hotel in Downtown Chicago

Voco Hotel in downtown Chicago was a dream wedding venue for Kaila and Frank’s day for a number of reasons. The first being that the ballroom space looks out over the Chicago river and skyline giving you the perfect setting to work with for your festivities. That combined with a large open dancefloor, which would come in handy later, and the freedom they allow for your wedding decor made for the wedding celebration that Kaila and Frank both envisioned for their day. The two kept the classy and elegant theme rolling with their reception decor looking as though it came straight from one of Gatsby’s parties! Their evening was filled with amazing speeches, moments with their friends and family, and of course a LOT of dancing!

A table inside of the Voco Hotel in Chicago set up for a wedding reception
A table inside of the Voco Hotel in Chicago set up for a wedding reception
A display inside of the wedding reception space at the Voco Hotel in Chicago reads "Best Day Ever" in neon
A bride and groom enter their wedding reception at the Voco Hotel in Chicago and walk towards their cake while smiling at each other
A bride and groom laugh while standing next to one another and their wedding cake at the start of their wedding reception inside the Voco Hotel in Chicago
A bride and groom kiss one another while standing next to their wedding cake during their reception at the Voco Hotel in Chicago
A bride and groom feed each other a piece of their wedding cake during their reception inside the Voco Hotel
A bride and groom share their first dance together as guests watch during their reception inside the Voco Hotel in Chicago
A groom smiles and laughs while dancing with the bride during their reception inside the Voco Hotel in Chicago
A bride and groom smile at one another while dancing during their reception inside the Voco Hotel in Chicago
A bride and groom laugh while sharing their first dance together during their wedding reception at the Voco Hotel in Chicago
A bride and groom kiss one another during their first dance at their reception inside the Voco Hotel in Chicago
A bride and groom sit at their sweetheart table together for their wedding reception at the Voco Hotel in Chicago
The father of the bride gives a speech into the microphone during a wedding reception inside of the Voco Hotel in Chicago
A bride and groom raise their glasses during a speech for their wedding reception inside of the Voco Hotel in Chicago
Guests of a wedding reception at the Voco Hotel in Chicago sit and raise their glasses for a toast during a speech
A bride and groom laugh while listening to one of the bridesmaids give a speech during their reception at the Voco Hotel in Chicago
A bride smiles while dancing with her father as guests watch during her wedding reception at the Voco Hotel in Chicago
A groom and his mother dance together during a reception at the Voco Hotel in Chicago
A groom and his mother burst into laughter while they dance during the reception inside the Voco Hotel in Chicago
A bride and groom kiss one another while dancing alongside the guests of their wedding reception at the Voco Hotel in Chicago
Bridesmaids dance together while surrounded by other guests during a wedding reception at the Voco Hotel in Chicago
Bridesmaids and other guests of a wedding all dance together during a reception at the Voco Hotel in Chicago
A flower girl dances during the reception at the Voco Hotel in Chicago
Guests of a wedding dance together inside the Voco Hotel for the indoor reception
A young girl makes a funny face at the camera while dancing with other guests during an indoor wedding reception at the Voco Hotel in Chicago
Guests of an indoor wedding reception at the Voco Hotel in Chicago dance and celebrate together
The mother of the groom smiles at the camera while dancing with her husband and other guests during a wedding reception at the Voco Hotel in Chicago
A groom smiles at the bride while they dance alongside their friends during their wedding reception at the Voco Hotel in Chicago
Guests of a wedding reception dance together while inside the Voco Hotel
A young boy dances with his father alongside other guests of a wedding reception at the Voco Hotel

Capturing and documenting Kaila and Frank’s downtown Chicago wedding at the Voco Hotel and St Michael Church was a literal dream come true! These two are so full of love and joy, and so it comes as no surprise that their wedding day shared these same features throughout! Check out some of my other favorite love stories on my blog, and if you’re ready to book me to document your day send me an inquiry to reserve your wedding date.

Guests of a wedding reception inside of the Voco Hotel in Chicago point at the camera while dancing alongside other guests

Vendors

Venue: Voco Hotel in Downtown Chicago

Planner: Nouvelle Events

HMU: Elle Artistry

Video: Katie Doyle Films

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About Jayde 

Docu-torial Photographer

I'm a Chicago wedding photographer with a passion for people, candid moments, authenticity, and golden hour. I document weddings with a ferocity for the real moments that matter on a wedding day: the moments you lived with the people you love. With 200+ weddings under my belt, I use my expertise to guide my clients to feel comfortable and confident so their images feel like them. 

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