Some wedding days feel like a celebration. Others feel like stepping directly into the world a couple has imagined for themselves.
Elizabeth and Richard’s wedding at The Drake Hotel in Chicago was filled with rich color, vintage details, candlelit romance, and the kind of intimate moments that made the grandeur of one of Chicago’s most iconic hotels feel completely personal.
With a palette of deep burgundy and emerald, dramatic floral arrangements, books and mirrors woven throughout the reception design, their wedding carried a dark, moody, almost literary feel. It was elegant without feeling overly polished, dramatic without losing its warmth, and completely true to them.
A Love Story Nine Years in the Making
Elizabeth and Richard first met at a college party nine years ago, but their relationship didn’t begin with an instant whirlwind romance.
It started slowly.
They became friends first, giving their relationship the space to grow naturally. Over time, friendship became something deeper.
For Elizabeth, it was the respect and kindness they showed each other, and the way Richard treated the people they loved, that stood out. More than anything, they made each other feel safe.
That foundation carried them through nearly a decade together and eventually brought them to their wedding day in Chicago.
A Chicago Proposal Elizabeth Almost Didn’t Believe
Richard knew how to make the proposal a complete surprise.
He told Elizabeth they were heading to a work party at the Adler Planetarium. When they supposedly arrived “too early,” he convinced her they should take a lap outside.
Except Richard had already planned everything.
He positioned Elizabeth with the Chicago skyline behind her, while a hidden photographer waited nearby to capture what was about to happen.
Then Richard got down on one knee.
There was only one problem.
Elizabeth didn’t believe him.
After years of Richard pretending he wasn’t ready to propose, she was convinced he was pranking her. She didn’t realize it was real until she saw him pull out the ring box.
The best part? The photographer captured her reaction, including the moment she actually rolled her eyes at him.
It became the perfect beginning to the next chapter of their story.
Why They Chose The Drake Hotel for Their Chicago Wedding
For Elizabeth and Richard, choosing The Drake Hotel came down to two things, the people and the feeling of the space.
They loved the kindness they experienced from the team, but they were equally drawn to the hotel’s history and vintage character.
That atmosphere became the perfect backdrop for the wedding Elizabeth envisioned.
Instead of light pastels or an airy design, they leaned into a darker, moodier aesthetic. Burgundy and emerald anchored the color palette, while lush florals brought depth and drama into the room.
Books and mirrors were incorporated into the centerpieces, adding to the vintage, bookish feeling of the reception.
Against the historic architecture and timeless interiors of The Drake, every element felt like it belonged there.
The result was exactly what Elizabeth had imagined.
Moody Wedding Photography at The Drake Hotel
From a photography perspective, The Drake lends itself beautifully to imagery with depth.
Rather than fighting the darker interiors, we embraced them.
The rich colors, vintage architecture, reflective surfaces, florals, and evening atmosphere created opportunities for photographs that felt dramatic while still keeping Elizabeth and Richard at the center of every frame.
That balance matters to me when photographing a luxury Chicago wedding.
The venue can be incredible. The florals can be incredible. The design can be incredible.
But years from now, the photographs that matter most will still be the ones that bring you back to how the day felt.
And there were two moments Elizabeth knew she would remember most, their vows and their first dance.
The Moments That Made Everything Else Disappear
Elizabeth had been especially nervous about their first dance.
Would she remember the steps? Would something go wrong? Would she fall?
Once they were actually on the dance floor, those worries disappeared.
They didn’t execute every single step perfectly, and it didn’t matter.
They laughed. They danced. They stayed present with each other.
For those few minutes, Elizabeth said it felt like they were the only two people in the room.
The same was true during their vows. Surrounded by everyone they loved, the moment still felt intimate.
Those are often the moments I watch for most closely as a wedding photographer. The point where the timeline, the guests, the details, and the nerves fade into the background, and you can see two people fully realize, we’re actually married.
Elizabeth’s Advice to Future Couples
After experiencing how quickly her own wedding day passed, Elizabeth’s biggest piece of advice is simple: enjoy it.
The day moves incredibly fast.
You don’t need to spend every second worrying about whether you have spoken to every guest or whether every detail happened exactly as planned.
There will be time to talk with the people you love.
What you cannot get back is the feeling of being there, on your wedding day, with the person you chose.
Elizabeth’s advice is to focus on each other, release some of the pressure, and actually experience the day you spent so much time planning.
Her first dance was proof of that. The steps weren’t perfect.
The moment was.
From Chicago to Europe
After the wedding, Elizabeth and Richard traded Chicago for an incredible European honeymoon.
They began in London, traveled to Amsterdam, then spent the majority of their trip exploring Greece, including Athens, Santorini, and Mykonos.
After years of stress and the whirlwind of planning a wedding, the trip gave them exactly what they needed, time to slow down, relax, and enjoy being newly married.
As for married life itself, Elizabeth admits it may not look dramatically different at first.
They have already owned a home together for years. They had already built a life and considered themselves a family long before saying their vows.
But now they get to call each other husband and wife.
And eventually, they hope to grow that family.
There is also one particularly important post-honeymoon promise Richard may be held to.
A new puppy.
For Elizabeth, who is very ready to welcome dog number three, that promise definitely counts. 😊
Elizabeth & Richard’s Drake Hotel Chicago Wedding
Elizabeth and Richard’s wedding was a beautiful reminder that the most memorable celebrations don’t come from chasing perfection.
They come from creating a day that feels like you.
For these two, that meant vintage Chicago architecture, deep burgundy and emerald tones, dramatic florals, books, mirrors, heartfelt vows, a first dance that didn’t need perfect choreography, and the people they loved filling the room around them.
After nine years together, they finally got to say husband and wife.
And that was always the most important part.
Planning a wedding at The Drake Hotel or another iconic Chicago venue? Lauren Ashley Studios photographs luxury weddings throughout Chicago and destinations around the world, creating imagery that feels emotional, editorial, and true to the people in front of the camera.
We Would Love to be Your Wedding Photographer
It would be an honor to become a part of your wedding team. We create that timeless keepsake of your big day you’ll love forever. Myself and my team of wedding photographers at videographers at Lauren Ashley Studios will go above and beyond to capture the atmosphere of your special occasion, and share it with passion and authenticity.
