Rainy Spring Wedding at Newberry Library

At the Newberry Library, Annie and Matt filled their Spring wedding day with personal details and endless joy. Despite rain in the forecast, this wedding day was as elegant and timeless as their historical Chicago venue.

The Newberry Library

The Newberry Library is a stunning research library located in the heart of downtown Chicago, just south of Chicago’s Gold Coast and across from the beautiful Washington Square Park. Open to the public since 1887, the research library is named for Philanthropist Walter Loomis Newberry and home to many archives in the humanities . The façade of this stunning building, is perfectly symmetrical, blending Renaissance and Romanesque styles and makes for a stunning backdrop.

Located across from Washington Square Park, the Newberry Library is walkable from many stunning local hotels. The streets in the spring time are lined with flowering tress and endless blooms. It makes for a gorgeous stroll on your wedding day, which Annie and Matt enjoyed as they walked from their first look to their wedding venue. These tree-lined, quiet streets are rare in downtown Chicago.

Intimate Wedding Photos In CHICAGO

After meeting as teenagers since in their High School choir, Annie and Matt reconnected years later and were thrilled to find they both still shared their love of music (and each other). Their wedding party was comprised of their closest friends with whom they have many, many years of shared history.

Both only children, it was important for Annie and Matt to share as many moments with their parents and loved ones as possible on their wedding day. Their hand selected details and laid back timeline made for a day that was so perfectly them! Even when it began to rain during their family photos in Washington Square Park, Annie and Matt beamed with joy being surrounded by their favorite people on this sweet Spring wedding day.

I feel so lucky that Matt and Annie found me through a referral from another couple whose wedding I would photography later the same year. When I photograph multiple couples in a group, I call it a “daisy chain”! It’s so special to see past and future clients celebrating in the same room. This wedding day was full of beautiful hand-selected music, thoughtful details, and loving friends who were thrilled to attend this celebration of this beloved couple at the historic Newberry Library.

Before Annie and Matt’s wedding ceremony, we took wedding photos at Washington Square Park, as well as in front of the venue’s famously beautiful facade. The Sofitel, where the couple got ready, was so close that we were able to walk there. I loved the ability to explore the nearby streets, and the way Annie + Matt’s classic wedding black and white outfits made their bright, spring floral color palette pop against the Newberry Library’s granite.

Annie and Matt’s Newberry Library Ceremony

Annie + Matt’s day was full of intimate moments and personal touches. Married by a family friend, their tearful ceremony was rounded out by touching readings by loved ones, a preview of the many thoughtful, funny, and personal toasts and speeches that would make their wedding day so special. After the ceremony we ducked outside for a few “just married” photos as the cocktail hour began inside.

One of my favorite images from this Spring wedding is of Annie and Matt during cocktail hour. While their guests celebrate inside, we took a few moments for the couple to bask in the joy of their newly sealed marriage. There’s something so lovely about this image of Annie and Matt sharing a quiet kiss outside as everyone celebrates just behind them, through those double doors.

The reception decor was a perfect fit for the library setting! Favorite books were selected in cover colors to match the greenery, which gave the cozy space an intimate and thoughtful feel, while candle light and overflowing floral arrangements rounded it out beautifully.

Of course, no wedding reception for music lovers is complete without a packed dance floor. Annie and Matt’s guests joined them for the live band’s many amazing covers and danced the night away. It was the perfect ending to this sweet, emotional, and personal Spring wedding day.

Getting married at the Newberry Library? I’d love to hear more about your day. Reach out, and let’s get the conversation started!

Thank you to the vendors who made Annie and Matt’s wedding possible:

Florist: Amy Crum Designs

Hair and Makeup: Pin Me Up Chicago

Cake: Sweet Mandy B’s

Catering: Cocina Fusion

Band: Bluewater Kings Band

Officiant: Mary Kay Tobin

Annie’s outfit: BHLDN

Matt’s outfit: Black Tux

Wedding Party Outfit Designers: Kennedy Blue, Black Tux

Videographer: GlamTie Media

Invitations: Paper Culture

Coordination: Kelsey Oberlin of Sweet Chic