Jaimie and Daniel’s wedding at Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago

Creative couple, Jaimie and Daniel (she’s a theater producer and he’s a film producer), were married at Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art. Befitting the couple, the celebration planned by Christine Janda provides drama abound. The moody florals and black and metallic reception details were were designed and created by HMR Designs with calligraphy by LBrown Design & Paperie and an artful cake by Alliance Bakery. Studio This Is made great use of all the art and graphic backdropsto create fabulous portraits of the couple and all the details of their day.

Tell us about the gown and where/how you found it!

My grandparents were founding members of the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, so I always knew that was where we would get married. I didn’t want a gown that felt bridal in any way, so looked high and low for something easy, effortless, elegant, timeless, and unique. I fell in love with  the entire Valentini line at a trunk show at Dimitra’s Bridal. It was important to me that I feel like myself, so I had my good friend Azeeza design the most incredible jumpsuit for dancing.

What were some touches added to make the wedding personal? 

I’m a theatre producer and my husband is a film producer, so it was really important to us that we created a different world for each portion of the wedding with a seamless flow. Daniel walked down the aisle to the Top Gun anthem, and I walked down to Janis Joplin’s Piece of my Heart. We wanted the dinner tent to feel like the coolest pop-up fine dining experience in an unexpected way. The chef did an amazing job with a tasting menu to truly make the dinner an experience, not just a meal. Having lived in several different cities, my friends and family are spread far and wide. Walking down the aisle and seeing all of the people I consider my chosen family in one place, and the man I now call my husband waiting for me under the chuppah, provided me with so much warmth and love. There was a certain ease to the entire day which made it that much more enjoyable for all!

Tell us how you met and became engaged.

Daniel’s brother was the chair of the board of a nonprofit I used to work for! We’d been friends for years before we started dating. Daniel plays ice hockey, and I was a competitive figure skater as a child, so we were both really excited to see I, TANYA as soon as it came out. As the lights were going down at the movie theatre, Daniel handed me a Chinese takeout box (a nod to my love for Asian food) filled with dark chocolate covered orange peels (my family’s official favorite candy). Under the first few orange peels was a green ring pop, because Daniel knew I had wanted an emerald engagement ring but am too clumsy to ever wear something that soft. Daniel also knew I wanted a hand in designing the ring from my favorite jeweler, so the ring pop was absolutely the right way to go! Daniel suggested we leave the movie to celebrate, and I insisted we stay, as I was so excited to see it. After the movie we walked home debating and discussing different aspects of the film, as two producers would. We were almost back at the apartment when we realized we should probably get some champagne to celebrate! It all felt so natural and so right.

Photography: Nancy Beale Studio This Is // Planner: Christine Janda // Design + Florals: HMR Designs // Stationery: LBrown Design & Paperie // Venue: Museum of Contemporary Art // Bride’s Gown Designer: Valentini // Bridal Boutique: Dimitra’s Bridal // Bride’s Reception Jumpsuit: Azeeza // Hair: Colleen Mortag-Krejczyk // Makeup: Mireille Hamon // Cake: Alliance Bakery // Lighting: Frost Chicago // Entertainment: Michael Lerich Band