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Industrial Downtown Summer Wedding // Robin + Danny

As a couple, Robin and Danny are not fans of the grueling summer heat. When it came to their wedding day, they were all set for a cool, early-spring day in March. However, their priorities and plans naturally shifted when Danny became sick and needed surgery. Thankfully the first date they suggested a few months later worked for my schedule, and we made their day happen. And, most importantly, Danny felt much better! These two newlyweds said “I Do” at the gorgeous Fairlie, and industrial wedding venue, last July, and their day was fit for a wedding magazine, summer heat be damned!

First Look at Fairlie

Danny and Robin opted to get ready for their big day on separate floors of the Fairlie in downtown Chicago. A huge perk to getting ready at the venue is minimizing commute time to various places. You’ll have more time to relax and enjoy the calm before the real fun begins! Fairlie has a beautiful rooftop space we utilized for an intimate first look. The shots of these two lovebirds with a sprawling cityscape in the background are incredible!

Portraits at The Rookery

When they changed their wedding to July, Danny and Robin knew they would need a plan for portraits on a hot summer day. So, they decided on the Rookery, a drop-dead gorgeous location packed with stunning, dynamic architecture. There are endless photo ops here, and we were able to take some time as a couple and soak up the joy and excitement of their wedding day. The bright natural light and one-of-a-kind spiral staircase made for unreal editorial photos.

The photography permit for The Rookery (among others) only allows the couple and photographer in the building, so we still needed a good spot for wedding party portraits (especially when you have alllllll the friends like these two!). Lucky for us, right out the front door of The Rookery is the iconic Board of Trade Building, which provided the perfect backdrop for a variety of shots with this amazing group! (As a wedding photographer, I’m always on the lookout for unique portrait compositions using nearby architecture, backgrounds, and built-in aesthetics.)

A Heart-Tugging Ceremony

Two fabulous staircases in one wedding? Yes, please! Like The Rookery, Fairlie also has a dramatic staircase Robin and Danny used for their ceremony. This staircase features more of the industrial wedding vibes that come with the venues. The imperial staircase design is so unique and ideal for large-group photos—the two sides join together in the center, and everyone can fit without standing in a straight line.

One of the best parts of their wedding ceremony was the officiant. Instead of booking a local officiant, they asked Danny’s dad. All wedding ceremonies are intimately special, but it doesn’t get more personal than having your parent marry you. Cue the tears!!

Time to Party!

After their heartfelt vows, the whole crew was ready to hit the dancefloor—and what a party it was! They set aside time for speeches at the rehearsal dinner the night before, which left ample time for eating and visiting with their guests at the reception without interruption. Plus, this gave us all the time for candid photos; always a win in my book! When the dance floor opened, it got wild (in the best way!). Everyone was dancing, enjoying the music and having the best time. A celebratory champagne pop for the newlyweds capped the evening—a perfect way to end the most spectacular day!

Trusting the Process

Ultimately, we’re here to give you gorgeous photos you cherish forever while you truly live in the moment (stress-free!). After going over plans and preferences, Robin and Danny trusted my team and me to work our magic and capture all the fantastic moments that unfolded throughout the day. Their trust in our expertise was everything! They were able to relax and enjoy the day, and their photos ended up being some of my all-time favorites. The mix of candid and editorial vibes worked so well with the venues, and their dynamic, poignant images depict how head-over-heels these two are for each other.

Hanna Walkowaik Photography | LA Weddings

From destination weddings and elopements to intimate Los Angeles affairs, I would be honored to document your big day to the fullest. Interesting in industrial wedding venues? Let me know, and I can shoot you a few recommendations!

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