Erin & Jim at University Club of Chicago | Chicago Film Wedding Photographer

Wedding
Written By Louie Abellera

Erin and Jim thought through every detail of her wedding. Monogrammed espresso martinis. Colored florals in warm jewel tones. Irish dancers. Erin’s father playing trumpet as she walked down the aisle. On a golden November evening at University Club of Chicago, Erin and Jim celebrated with people who mattered to them, in a space as beautiful as their vision.

Credits
Dress — Jenny Yoo / @jennyyoonyc
Shoes — Badgley Mischka / @badgleymischka
Tux — E. Thomas
Florals — EcoWilde / @ecowildeflowerco
Band — Chicago Diamond Trio
Venue — University Club of Chicago / @universityclubofchicago

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Bridal party in mismatched warm-toned gowns, radiating joy and effortless color coordination.
A silver tray of espresso martinis, each one crowned with monogrammed foam art, ready to be passed during cocktail hour at University Club Chicago. The kind of detail guests still talk about — captured on film by a Chicago film wedding photographer.
The bride and groom crossing a downtown Chicago street, shot from behind — his white jacket, her cathedral veil and train gathered gently in his hand, the city alive and moving around them.
Couple walks back down aisle as newlyweds, guests applauding as they beam.
The groom and his groomsmen on the University Club Chicago rooftop terrace in black and white, a dramatic Gothic stone spire rising behind them.
The bride gazes out over the Chicago River from the stone balustrade, cathedral veil cascading down her back as the downtown skyline fills every inch of the frame around her.
Bride and groom laughing face-to-face on the Chicago Riverwalk bridge, the city skyline soft and golden behind them — a purely candid, joyful film portrait.
The bride takes a full, unapologetic bite of an ice cream cone on a busy Chicago sidewalk — veil blowing, bridesmaid scrambling behind her with the bouquet.
A radiant bridal portrait on the Chicago Riverwalk terrace — warm smile, a colorful bouquet of coral, orange, and yellow blooms, the river and city skyline stretching behind her in soft focus. Shot on film by a Chicago film wedding photographer.
An elevated view of Chicago's Grant Park in peak autumn — the Bean glinting among orange-tipped trees and glass towers, the city in full fall color.
The escort card display at University Club Chicago: a lush floral arrangement of yellow, white, and orange blooms in a brass compote, surrounded by neatly arranged handwritten cards and votives glowing on white linen.
The historic stone and terracotta facades of downtown Chicago's landmark buildings, framed against a clear sky — the kind of architectural backdrop that makes every Chicago wedding feel significant.
Rows of pillar candles in glass cylinders arranged across the ceremony fireplace mantle, filling the room with a warm amber glow. A moody, romantic detail from the University Club Chicago ceremony
A hand rests on the dark bar top beside a classic dirty martini, three olives skewered and waiting — moody, intimate, and unmistakably film. The University Club bar at cocktail hour, by a Chicago film wedding photographer.
Two fresh oysters on a gold-rimmed University Club china plate, a small cocktail fork laid across them, a votive candle glowing softly in the background. Effortlessly elegant catering detail — shot on film by a Chicago film wedding photographer.
A loved one lifts the bride's veil in a tender, almost ceremonial gesture inside the University Club Chicago chapel — stained glass windows glowing behind them, the groom watching nearby.
The bride turns to look over her shoulder inside the ornate University Club, bouquet in hand, French doors flooding the room with soft city light behind her. A bridal portrait that feels effortless and editorial
A close-up of the Shannon Rovers Pipe Band bass drum — the vintage 1926 Chicago emblem front and center, mallet poised. A nod to the couple's Irish heritage and one of the most memorable entertainment moments of the night
The groom steadies himself in a quiet getting-ready moment — adjusting the lapel of his white double-breasted dinner jacket, gold ring catching the light. Still, focused, almost meditative — captured by a Chicago film wedding photographer.
A guest in a stunning black-and-gold gown holds up her phone to capture the father-daughter dance, while the bride and her father share a tender moment on the candlelit dance floor.
The bride and her four bridesmaids on the University Club Chicago rooftop terrace, all smiling and laughing, Gothic stone spires rising dramatically behind them against an open sky.
The groom, beer in hand, raises a 35mm camera to photograph his own bride during the reception — a meta, candid moment that captures who they are perfectly. Shot on film by a Chicago film wedding photographer.
A low centerpiece of yellow, orange, and white blooms beside a gold-framed table number twelve, votives glowing around it on white linen. Warm, intimate reception table styling at University Club Chicago — by a Chicago film wedding photographer.
The University Club Chicago entrance at dusk — the gold revolving door glowing beneath a stone Gothic archway, lanterns casting warm light over the "76" address. A venue exterior detail that says everything about the evening ahead
An end-of-night reception table tells its own story — half-empty wine glasses, espresso martini coupes, dessert plates, all the evidence of a truly great celebration at University Club Chicago. Shot on film by a Chicago film wedding photographer.
An illustrated, hand-drawn menu card nestled in a folded napkin atop monogrammed University Club china — playful stationery design meeting formal table setting in perfect balance.
The first look ring exchange — the groom slides the band onto her finger and she breaks into a full, genuine laugh, French doors glowing warmly behind them. A moment of pure, unguarded joy
The bride stands in front of a gold-detailed Chicago building entrance — gown slit open, cathedral veil trailing, bouquet in hand and a smile that commands the whole frame.
A close-up from the ceremony: the bride's hands clasped with the groom's, a pearl bracelet at her wrist, a wide, uncontainable smile spreading across her face.
The bride and her bridesmaids raise their champagne flutes in a getting-ready toast — sparkle, smiles, and the kind of anticipation you can feel through the frame. Shot on film by a Chicago film wedding photographer.
A guest in a vibrant pink-to-orange dress laughs in the middle of a conversation during cocktail hour, champagne glass raised, the room buzzing with energy behind her.
A full-length bridal portrait on the Chicago Riverwalk terrace — cathedral veil, off-shoulder column gown, colorful bouquet, and the entire downtown skyline stretching behind her.
The first dance in the University Club Chicago grand ballroom: the bride flings her arms wide as the groom leads her across the floor, chandeliers glowing overhead, every guest watching. A moment made for this room
Bride and groom holding hands outside the ornate gold entrance of a historic Chicago building — relaxed, confident, and completely at ease in front of the camera. The bride's gown slit and low heels give the whole thing a downtown-cool feel
Three bridesmaids in rust, camel, and mustard gowns sharing a genuine laugh in the University Club Chicago's wood-paneled hallway, bouquets in hand. The autumn color palette feels completely at home in this historic space
An older guest absolutely owns the University Club Chicago dance floor — dipping his partner in a deep red gown with effortless flair, the whole room dancing behind them. One of those candid film frames that makes a gallery
The couple shares a quiet kiss at their sweetheart table, the University Club Chicago's stone fireplace behind them and a lush greenery-and-floral installation cascading above, candles glowing on all sides.
An ornate candelabra chandelier glows against the dark carved-wood ceiling of the University Club Chicago — moody, dramatic, and completely atmospheric. The kind of architectural detail that makes this venue impossible to replicate
A woman in black disappears through the University Club Chicago's glowing gold revolving door at night — a moody, street-level exterior shot that feels more like a film still than a wedding photo. Shot on film by a Chicago film wedding photographer.
The couple crosses a downtown Chicago intersection hand-in-hand, the bride glancing back over her shoulder with a knowing smile — the city in motion all around them.
The groom stands at the altar inside the University Club Chicago chapel — hands folded, stained glass windows glowing warmly behind him, the quiet before everything begins.
The groom holds a monogrammed espresso martini at the sweetheart table, the lush greenery-and-floral installation above the fireplace softly framing him behind.
The University Club Chicago reception room fully set for dinner — tall floral centerpieces anchoring each table, candlelight glowing across white linens, stained glass windows presiding in the background.
The wedding cake: an oval white cake topped with a mountain of fresh blackberries dusted in powdered sugar, a vintage ceramic bride-and-groom topper nestled at its base. Classic meets unexpected — captured by a Chicago film wedding photographer.
Bride and groom cut their wedding cake together in the University Club Chicago ballroom, candles glowing all around and guests smiling in the background. A warm, candlelit cake-cutting moment — by a Chicago film wedding photographer.
The full wedding party posed in front of Chicago's gold-gilded 400 South Michigan entrance — earth-tone bridesmaids and black-tuxedoed groomsmen flanking the couple in a crisp, architectural group portrait.
A quiet getting-ready moment: careful hands fastening the back of the bride's off-shoulder gown, soft window light grazing the fabric. The kind of detail you miss in the rush of the day — preserved on film by a Chicago film wedding photographer.
The groom kisses his bride's temple on the University Club Chicago's Gothic rooftop terrace, a stone spire rising behind them and the city stretching into the horizon. Tender and sweeping all at once — by a Chicago film wedding photographer.
Guests deep in conversation at their candlelit tables, a tall floral centerpiece presiding over the scene, the warm ornate interior of University Club Chicago glowing all around.
Two cocktail coupes and the bride's lush, green-forward bouquet resting side-by-side on a small table — a still life of the in-between moments. Warm light and film grain make this detail feel like a painting
Four bridesmaids in rust, gold, pink, and olive gowns react with delight as the bride walks in — their faces say everything about how she looks. A getting-ready moment full of genuine emotion — captured by a Chicago film wedding photographer.
a bartender in a suit jacket strains a cocktail shaker over a full grid of espresso martini glasses, the signature drink in full production mode. A glimpse into the University Club Chicago service — by a Chicago film wedding photographer.
A tuxedoed musician playing a trumpet solo in front of the University Club Chicago's glowing stained glass windows — an unexpected, elegant moment of live entertainment during the reception.
A close-up getting-ready detail: the groom's hands buttoning his white double-breasted dinner jacket, gold signet ring on his finger, bow tie already in place. Film grain gives this quiet moment its texture — by a Chicago film wedding photographer.
The bridal bouquet in close-up: coral ranunculus, orange dahlias, white orchids, and yellow billy balls held against the crisp off-shoulder gown — a burst of saturated color against clean white. Shot on film by a Chicago film wedding photographer.
The groom adjusts his suspenders in front of a framed display of vintage shotgun shells — a character-filled getting-ready detail that tells you something real about who he is. Shot on film by a Chicago film wedding photographer.
A slice of wedding cake on monogrammed University Club china — berry and cream filling, the illustrated menu card still tucked beside the plate. An end-of-dinner detail that feels quietly perfect — by a Chicago film wedding photographer.
The ring exchange: the bride laughing as she slides the band onto the groom's finger, the officiant looking on behind them, a full floral canopy of greenery and white blooms arching overhead.
Five women on the Chicago Riverwalk bridge, sun blazing behind them — the bride in white at center, bridesmaids in their earth-tone gowns, each holding a burst of colorful blooms. Backlit, golden, and completely cinematic
The wedding invitation suite flat lay — Erin & James's illustrated, hand-lettered invite with playful champagne, trumpet, and ring motifs, the University Club Chicago address printed boldly at center, surrounded by yellow ranunculus.
A moody, cinematic shot of the University Club Chicago's candelabra-style chandelier glowing against the dark room, ornate carved ceiling barely visible above. Pure atmosphere — the kind of frame that sets the tone for the whole gallery.
The University Club Chicago ballroom in full reception mode — the couple kissing at their sweetheart table in the center, guests gathered at candlelit round tables, the floral arch blooming above the fireplace behind them.
Louie Abellera
Lifestyle and wedding photographer
www.louie-abellera.com
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