Garfield Park Conservatory is one of the most unique wedding venues in Chicago. There are few cities that have spaces this massive entirely devoted to indoor gardens. Dan and Carolyn had hired me after corresponding with Stacey and Steve, another bride and groom who held there wedding at the Garfield Park Conservatory. Stacey and Steve had wonderful things to say about the wedding photography I did. After Dan and Carolyn hired me, I met up with them at the campus of University of Chicago and got to see where they met while going to school. I had visited the university before since I had shot at Rockefeller Memorial Chapel as well as Bond Chapel, but it is always neat to tour different areas of the campus. In the weeks leading up to their wedding, I learned about what the couple had in the plans for their wedding day. Carolyn’s bouquet was going to contain sweet peas since her grandparents call her “Sweet Pea.” In addition to designing his bride’s diamond engagement ring himself, the groom was going to be making chocolate truffles to be used as wedding favors. The bride’s family made wine that was used during the ceremony, and the groom’s grandfather’s tallit (prayer shawl) was hanging in the chuppah. A lot of thought went into personalizing the wedding. I even noticed the design on the wedding stationery resembled that of the engagement ring.
On the day of the wedding, Dan and his groomsmen got hot shaves at a barbershop.
Avi, the best man, glances at himself in the mirror.
Carolyn and her bridesmaids got prettied up at a beautiful home in Hyde Park right near the campus.
Because of the rain, the couple met for a first look indoors in one of the buildings at the University of Chicago.
The rain luckily stopped so we were able to grab a few photos on the campus grounds.
Here is Carolyn’s white and purple bridal bouquet with the sweet pea accents designed by Color & Company.
These purple Anthropologie dresses work perfect with the sweet peas.
The storm clouds returned so we hurried up to stay dry and get back to Garfield Park Conservatory.
In the Palm Room at Garfield Park Conservatory, Rabbi Abe Friedman officiated over the ketubah signing.
After the ketubah signing, the wedding ceremony was under the chuppah in Horticultural Hall. Rain or shine, this room is perfect because it still feels like you are outdoors with the amount of plants surrounding you.
Horticultural Hall at Garfield Park Conservatory is loaded with natural light and lush greens.
The Jeff Sandler Orchestra was the band Carolyn and Dan hired for to play their Garfield Park Conservatory reception.
Here is a list of the Chicago Wedding Vendors that Dan and Carolyn used:
Ceremony Venue: Horticultural Hall at Garfield Park Conservatory
Reception Venue: Horticultural Hall at Garfield Park Conservatory
Officiant: Rabbi Abe Friedman
Wedding Band: Jeff Sandler Orchestra
Wedding Photographer: Heather Parker Photography
Florist: Color & Company
Caterer: Jewell Events Catering
Cake: Austrian Bakery
Dress make: Gavin Michaels for 2be
Bridesmaid dresses: Anthropologie
Bridal boutique: A L’Amour in Barrington
Tux: Versini
Makeup artist: Lee Orlian
Hairstylist: Katie Bales
Favors: Homemade chocolate truffles
Ketubah: Design is “Song of Summer” by Marion Zimmer. Text written by the Groom
You can read Daniel and Carolyn’s Garfield Park Conservatory wedding photography review here. If you would like to see another Garfield Park Conservatory wedding photography from another couple, click here.
Before the state of Illinois recognized civil unions between same sex couples, I was selected to photograph Megan and Emilia’s wedding celebration of love. To see a room packed full of those who supported their love and an unstoppable dance party celebrating their union was quite an amazing feeling.
