Modern Elegance Wedding Theme at Cafe Brauer Chicago Wedding
Photography by Erin Hoyt PhotographyWhen Robert & Ryan tied the knot, they brought their own unique spin to ‘modern elegance’. With jewel-toned florals, shimmering disco balls, and a room filled with loved ones, their big day was equal parts chic, heartfelt, and unforgettable. But this love story didn’t start under floral chandeliers or with vows that made everyone tear up. No, it all began in 2020 in a pandemic-era gym. Robert & Ryan spent months working out side by side in their respective 10x10 taped-off squares, silently crushing on each other. Fast forward to a gorgeous proposal in Lincoln Park, a whirlwind wedding full of unforgettable moments, and plans for a Mediterranean honeymoon, and it’s clear these two were meant to be.
Modern elegance wedding theme at Cafe Brauer Chicago wedding with disco balls
The biggest favourite detail was being surrounded by all of our family and friends; we could feel the love and support all weekend. Plus, the whole ceremony itself was overwhelming in the best way. We each wrote our own vows, so we heard them for the first time during the ceremony. Ryan's brother and Rob's sister co-officiated, and it made the moment even more special for us. We still watch our ceremony video and cry every time. That moment will forever be ingrained in our memories.
Robert & Ryan
Modern Elegance Wedding Theme
Before the planning began, the couple didn’t have a specific colour palette in mind. However, with the expert guidance of their planner, Michelle Vining from LOLA, a stunning jewel-toned palette of dusty pinks, purples, blues, and yellows came to life. The dazzling decor, envisioned by Mathew Lahey from Kehoe Design, turned their wedding into a visual masterpiece. From towering floral centrepieces to the gold spiral ceremony arch adorned with blooms, every detail was picture-perfect. Suspended floral chandeliers took the decor to the next level, quite literally. Some of the rings were eight feet wide, with flowers cascading downwards. The couple says, “Walking into that space was jaw-dropping.” Also, in a nod to their furry family member, Robert & Ryan personalised their cocktail napkins with a gold-foiled sketch of their dog, Claire, accompanied by the cheeky message, “Drinks on Me! – Claire.” Their signature cocktails were a hit and reflected their personalities. We love those creative touches that add to the festive atmosphere.
Cafe Brauer Chicago Wedding
Robert & Ryan’s venue, Café Brauer, played a significant role in shaping their aesthetic. Nestled in Lincoln Park, the building's traditional Chicago-style architecture inspired the pair to embrace greenery and fresh blooms. While the decor wowed their guests, Robert & Ryan agreed that the real showstopper was the love and joy in the room. From start to finish, the day was a celebration to remember. The couple’s caterers served up a feast that left guests raving. And when it came time to hit the dance floor, their DJ kept the energy high with a playlist that had everyone singing all night long. Closing out the dance floor to their favourite songs with their favourite people was such a highlight for Robert & Ryan. The couple opted to go with custom-fitted suits, custom-fitted shirts, and complimentary ties. Robert & Ryan chose their own fabric, liner, buttons, lapel detailing, shoulder detailing, pant styles, and more! As part of their wedding gifts to each other, they got new watches! They exchanged them while getting ready, and they pulled the outfits together nicely.
A jewel tone colour palette is always going to be a hit with us! It looks so luxurious!
There are a few points of advice we would give to other couples. One is to start venue shopping early. We created a shortlist of venues and decided to start checking them out way in advance before we were even officially engaged. However, once we visited them, we quickly realised how far out they were booked!
Another piece of advice is to hire a planner. Michelle made our planning SO easy and also so fun, and she literally took care of everything. We had heard from other couples how stressful their wedding planning was, and to be honest, the most stressful part of ours was picking out which food we wanted to serve because we liked it all. It was the best money we've ever spent.
Our final piece of advice is to hire a videographer. We originally were not going to get one, but after we knew that our grandma would not be able to attend, we opted to hire one so we could show her the videos. We are so glad we did because we can relive the memories whenever we want. Since the day flies by so fast, we feel we missed certain aspects, and we caught them while watching our footage. We couldn't be happier that we ended up with a videographer.
Robert & Ryan
For couples in the midst of wedding planning, Robert & Ryan have this advice: start early, hire a great planner, and don’t forget to pause and soak it all in. But that’s easier said than done. So here is our 18-month wedding planning checklist to keep you on track for all things wedding planning. Plus, you can also look at our top tips for managing wedding planning stress.
