Hey, I'm Chelsea.

I'm a Chicago wedding photographer and videographer who's on a mission to take the stress out of wedding planning, one anecdote, gif, and movie
quote at a time.

As self-proclaimed exposed brick lovers, Lauren + Matt knew Fairlie would set the perfect stage for their “moody industrial chic” wedding.

While they originally hoped for a fall wedding, they couldn’t make it work with their schedules. So they mixed things up and used fall tones for their May celebration. From the dusty blue bridesmaids dresses to the earth-toned florals, it was the perfect color palette for their venue.

Don’t believe me? Check it out for yourself:

A Fairlie Chicago Wedding

Getting Ready at Fairlie

While Matt and the guys got ready at their condo, Lauren and the girls got ready in Fairlie’s bridal suite. By the time I’d arrived, they’d made the place feel like home with Taylor Swift music blaring and their names donning the wall-sized Scrabble board.

A First Look with a Swifie Surprise

After a tear-filled first look in Fairlie’s loft space, Lauren and Matt swapped gifts. Lauren’s gift to Matt was a family heirloom pocket watch. And Matt’s gift to Lauren—a huge Swiftie—was a love letter using only Taylor Swift Lyrics.

A Jewish Ceremony Featuring their Fur Baby

It was important to them to incorporate their dog, George into as much of the day as possible—including making him the ring bearer. He trotted down the aisle rocking an adorable personalized ring bearer box on his collar.

A Moody Reception Filled with Intentional Touches

Lauren and Matt didn’t skimp on any details when it came to making their wedding feel like them. The tone was set at cocktail hour when guests used napkins featuring George while playing a “Sip and Solve” crossword puzzle. It carried on into the first dance set of the night, where Lauren and Matt shared their first dance (after a signature handshake). All the while, Lauren’s father was honored—whether it was Matt’s cufflinks, a shoutout in a toast, or the special family dance in leu of a father-daughter dance. It was a magical night where memories were swapped, baseball caps were brought out, and the night ended with a food truck from Lauren’s hometown. Truly no moment went without any thought.

If you’re considering making your wedding day feel one-of-a-kind, look no further than Lauren and Matt’s wedding for inspiration.

Kind Words from the Couple

“Chelsea was a pleasure to work with leading up to our wedding and ensured our wedding day ran smoothly – from keeping us on schedule to helping bustle my dress, she truly overdelivered and was a blast to hang out with too! Her videos captured our day in such a classy, intimate way and we can’t wait to watch them for years to come. Thank you for everything Chelsea!!”

The Wedding Vendors

Venue: Mirrored Events
Photographer: Peter Wynn Thompson
Videography: White Quill Creative
Hair & Makeup: Beauty by Ann Krause
Florist: BouK Bridal
Band: Blue Water Kings
Catering: Michaels Catering
Cake: Bittersweet Bakery
Bridal Dress: Rita Vineris from Bella Bianca Bridal
Bridesmaid Dresses: Revelry
Suits: The Black Tux

Still in the market for a wedding videographer?

Let’s chat! Whether you’re getting married at Fairlie or another Chicago venue, I’d love to hear more about your one-of-a-kind wedding plans.