Classic Wedding fit for a Disney Princess at the Empress In Chicago

Elegant bride and groom embrace at a beautiful wedding photo

Your wedding day vibe should reflect your everyday style, and our next couple lived up to that mantra. Katie and Sean, a Chicago couple with classic style, wanted to create a day that was timeless, elegant, and romantic. They had a clear and precise vision for their day - twinkling candles, blooming florals, and a lot of sparkles. A day fit for a Disney Princess. Sean and Katie are both self- proclaimed huge Disney Fans. Although there weren't any mouse ears, I have to admit the reception does look like something out of a Disney movie. You'll have to scroll down to see, or jump straight to the gallery and peruse all their wedding photos captured by Jessica Blex Photography.

Please keep reading! Katie, the bride, shares more detail about their Chicago wedding, including all the ways she honored her late Father at their wedding. It was really touching!

Elegant wedding invitation suite with rings and details

Elegant bridal jewelry set with wedding rings and shoes Elegant sparkly Jimmy Choo wedding shoes with flower petals around

Happy bride and bridesmaids pose in matching attire

Bride surrounded by bridesmaids, laughing and holding hands Bride wearing a white robe with monogram, showing her ring

Beautiful bride in a white wedding dress smiles happily

Bride with bridesmaids in black dresses and white bouquets

Black Bridesmaid Dresses

The Jenny Yoo bridesmaids dresses that we chose looked great one everyone. We had 2 styles that the girls could choose from, and chose black because of its elegance. Katie also had back faux fur stoles for her bridesmaids, you can see them below. We took pictures at the Board of Trade in Chicago, and at Milton Lee Olive Park. It was a warmer day for November in Chicago- about 45 degrees! Windy, and cold, but sunny.

I love pink peonies and always dreamed of having them part of our wedding, which I didn't know if it would be possible in a November wedding- but it was! The peonies were in my bouquet, and our cake. I wanted my bouquet to be more of a blush tone, and fluffy and symmetrical. This paired nicely with the bridesmaids white rose bouquet wrapped in a blush ribbon.

Bride and bridesmaid smiling together at wedding with bouquets Bride and bridesmaids in black dresses with city backdrop

Bride holding pink and white roses bouquet on her wedding day

Father helps groom with tie, wedding preparation, loving moment

Pale pink flower in a vintage silver tray on a neutral background Black formal shoes, socks, and cologne, stylish groom

Groomsmen in stylish tuxedos pose for a wedding photo outdoors

I Loving Memory of Her Father

Honoring her father at their wedding -I lost my dad 7 years ago, and wanted to incorporate him into our day as much as possible. A charm was placed on my bouquet of him so he could also walk me down the aisle with my mom. You an also see the wedding programs below that have a in loving memory portion at the top. As you scroll down Katie shares all the ways she honors her late Father on her special day.

Bride holding a beautiful bouquet of pink and white roses at wedding

wedding programs with In loving Memory on the back

Wedding Film

Be sure to watch their wedding film by Mirar Weddings. It is so sweet!

flower girls in peach flower girl bridesmaid dresses Bride and mother walk down the aisle together at wedding ceremony

Smiling groom and bride holding hands at a wedding ceremony Newlyweds share a kiss as guests cheer with ribbons at wedding

Wedding couple kissing in front of Chicago building

Elegant bride and groom pose on their wedding day with city backdrop Groom adjusts bow tie, smiling in formal black tuxedo for wedding day

Bride in a white wedding dress with skyscrapers in the background

THE DRESS

I got my Pnina Tornai dress from Kleinfeld in NYC, I wanted something elegant, and satin, with some dramatic flare (the back!) it was the dress of my dreams, and I knew the second I tried it on it was mine. The veil was a perfect pairing, it was cathedral length, and had enough detail that matched my dress.

Wedding party celebrates with city skyline in background

Happy wedding couple walking with their wedding party in city background Newlyweds share a tender kiss during their outdoor wedding ceremony

Newlyweds hold hands walking down a path, city background, wedding

The Venue

We met at work and I am from the Northside of Chicago, and my husband is from the Southside. The Empress was a good halfway point for our families, and between the delicious food, beautiful space, and huge dance floor we knew it was the place for us. Everyone raved about the appetizers, main course and incredible dessert table. The space was transformed into a fairytale! We loved the clear Chiavari Chairs that added to the ambiance.

Elegant wedding card box for the Murphys, est 2019, on a table

Elegant wedding place cards arranged on a white table
Elegant pink rose centerpiece for a romantic table setting

Elegant wedding table with floral centerpiece and candles

CLASSIC AND ELEGANT WEDDING RECEPTION

We worked with Northern Greenhouses to portray that in our florals. They had these amazing real branches that they created floral arrangements in, and hung tea lights from the branches.

The room took our breath away and made us cry at the sight of it. The sparking candles, paired with the warm blush tones, and chandeliers was everything we could have ever dreamed of. Our color palette was blush, white, and silver with a bit of black mixed in the dresses and tuxedos and that came through in the reception decor.

Elegant wedding reception table decorated with flowers and clear chairs Elegant wedding table centerpiece with flowers and candles

Elegant wedding table setup with candles and floral centerpieces

Candle Ring Centerpieces

The candle ring centerpieces had just enough sparkle and height that it was stunning to walk into the room and see.

Elegant wedding table setting with candles and flowers

Elegant wedding table setting with floral centerpiece Elegant wedding place setting with menu and gold trim

Elegant wedding table centerpiece with flowers and candles

Wedding photos on display, a celebration of love and marriage over time

Elegant wedding reception hall with crystal chandelier and monogram

Her Favorite Part of The Day

Honoring her father at their wedding - My new father in law, gave a very touching speech in honor of my dad, and had my mom help him write it. It was one of my most favorite moments of the day, and I know my dad was looking down so proud. Not a dry eye in the house!

We had a decal made of our last initial on the dance floor that was a hit with everyone! Our head table florals were some of my favorites. So lush and romantic in front of us.

Bride and groom smiling at each other with beautiful floral decor Elegant wedding place cards for Sean Murphy and Katie Murphy

Elegant floral centerpiece and dessert table at a wedding

Delicious tiered dessert tray with mini treats and strawberries Delicious assortment of miniature pastries and strawberry tarts on display

Delicious mini desserts with fresh berries on a mirrored tray

Elegant wedding cake with cascading roses and candles

Wedding Cake

Our cake was one of my favorite aspects of the day. The cascading florals through the five layers was beautiful created by The Baking Institute.

Newlyweds cutting the cake at their elegant wedding reception

Bride and groom eating burgers at their wedding reception

Changed Dresses & Ate cheeseburgers

I changed into a second dress so I could get down on the dance floor with all of my loved ones! I slid on some new sneakers, put on a shorter dress and danced the night away!

Honoring her father at their wedding -I danced with my uncles and my mom at the reception which was an extremely special moment for us. You can see Katie dancing with her uncle here. His favorite food was cheeseburgers, and his favorite artist was Jimmy Buffett. To honor him, we had cheeseburgers brought out on trays while playing "cheeseburger in paradise".

Bride and groom enjoying their wedding reception on the dance floor