University Club Chicago Wedding | Kelsey & Grant's Romantic Winter Wedding

Wedding couple posing on staircase at University Club Chicago wedding

As the leading wedding planners in Chicago, one of the things we LOVE about our job is meeting couples where you can instantly see & feel the true love they share, and that they are genuinely BEST friends! This was how The Simply Elegant Group’s Planner Ashley C. felt as soon as she met Kelsey and Grant for the first time & every time they met leading up to the big day!

How Planning Turned into Perfection at This University Club Chicago Wedding

Wedding invitations for University Club Chicago wedding and details

Bride and groom on University Club Chicago wedding

Kelsey and Grant were A LOT of fun to work with, were SO incredibly sweet & organized, and worked together equally with the planning process & decision making! Ashley C could not have had a better experience with these two, and between the hard work of the client, our planner, and their incredible vendors, their February 16th Winter Wedding at University Club Chicago was SEAMLESS!

If we could come up with a better word than perfection to describe their day we would, but perfection is what it was!

Special Details That Made This University Club Chicago Wedding Unforgettable

The day came together exactly how we had planned it due to a few things:

1) With Kelsey & Grant’s kindness, came along vendors wanting to go above & beyond for this lovely couple – and they did!

2) The couple’s Bridal Party & family members were there the entire day to make sure the couple was happy, had everything they needed, and always put a smile on their faces.

3) The couple truly took in & enjoyed every single second of their day and just trusted those they hired to ensure everything ran smoothly… and it really did!

Wedding party gathering before wedding ceremony

A Picture-Perfect First Look on the Rooftop of University Club of Chicago

First kiss in the Parliment Room at University Club Chicago

The Bride & Groom’s first look was one that our Chicago Wedding Planner Ashley C will always remember (she even shed some tears)! The couple chose to have their first look in The Parliament room on the top floor of The University Club of Chicago. This unique space offers unparalleled city skyline views as well as floor-to-ceiling Gothic windows

When the Groom turned around to see his beautiful bride in a a gorgeous off-the-shoulder Pronovias dress, his face made everyone’s hearts melt! Their embrace & reactions were so genuine & you could feel their true love for one another!

Winter Windy City Wedding Portraits on University Club Chicago Rooftop

After their first look on the 12th floor of the University Club of Chicago, they went out on the outdoor terrace with views of Millennium Park. As you can see from the stunning images of the GORGEOUS couple below, we highly recommend getting these shots at this iconic Chicago landmark!

Bridal Party Portraits with Historic Downtown Chicago Charm

The Bridal Party joined them shortly after for photos around the hotel (temperatures were WAY too cold to go outside for very long), which created some timeless photos that we are so excited to share!

Romantic Fireside Wedding Ceremony in the Michigan Room

Wedding ceremony fireside in Michigan Room at University Club Chicago

Kelsey and Grant chose the Michigan Room for their ceremony, drawn to its mahogany walls, stone fireplace, grand stained glass windows, and hand-painted ceiling that created a warm, romantic backdrop for their vows.

The Ceremony held in-front of the venue’s magnificent fireplace was also just so personal with having their officiant be the Groom’s Sister-in-Law Allison! Allison spoke so beautifully about the couple, their relationship, and stories that perfectly showed the true love these two share. We don’t think there was a dry eye in the entire room!

Following the Ceremony, the guests enjoyed a very classy Cocktail Hour right down the hall that had delicious appetizers & drinks, with a pianist playing in the background from the band!

An Elegant Fairytale Reception in Cathedral Hall at University Club Chicago Wedding

After Cocktail Hour, guests were directed up the elevators for their reception. Kelsey and Grant chose the famous Cathedral Hall, the opulent heart of the Club, featuring breathtaking Neo-Gothic stained glass windows and the perfect setting for their fairytale wedding.Our planners always say it replicates the beauty of being inside a castle (most say it reminds them of the castle in Harry Potter)!

Elegant wedding reception in Cathedral Hall at the University Club Chicago

Fun Fact: The couple thought they were not going to be able to have their reception up in Cathedral Hall and they were going to do a room flip of their ceremony space, but luck was on their side, and with a cancelation, they were able to utilize this grand space for dinner, dancing & drinks!

The speeches in between the delicious dinner courses by the Bride’s Parents, the Bride’s Maid-of-Honor, and the Groom’s Best Man were all so personal, hilarious, & meaningful, and again we saw a lot of people using their napkins to dry their happy tears!

The VERY fun, talented, & energetic band then opened up the dance floor & this was consistently packed the ENTIRE time – seriously not one square foot was open from start to finish! Everyone had a blast!

We are so incredibly honored to be a part of Kelsey + Grant’s Winter Wedding at University Club Chicago, and we wish the couple a lifetime of love, laughter, & pure happiness together as Husband & Wife! xoxo

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