Carson & Alex’s City Cruises Wedding on the Water
Carson and Alex’s story started the modern way: a match on Hinge while Carson was in grad school in Ohio. Five years later, they stood under the iconic Peoples Gas Pavilion honeycomb structure at Lincoln Park Zoo, exchanging vows in the city where Carson grew up.
The couple added personal touches to the ceremony with handmade redwood pillars, crafted by the bride’s father from wood salvaged from her childhood home and dressed with arrangements of florals in summer shades of pink, orange and yellow. With Chicago’s skyline rising behind them, it was the kind of backdrop that speaks for itself.
From there, guests moved downtown to board City Cruises’ The Odyssey for the reception. Entering the glass-encased vessel, they were greeted with champagne and sweeping views of the city. Tables were styled with bud vases of colorful blooms and clay table number holders the bride made by hand. Each table followed the “when we were” age trend, with photos of the Carson and Alex at the age reflected on the table number.
The couple also invited guests to write notes for them to open on future anniversaries. It’s the kind of detail that makes sense when you know them: Carson describes Alex as someone who thinks ahead and plans carefully. “It’s really impressive to me that he takes the lead,” she says, “especially when we’ve been planning a wedding together.” Alex, for his part, credits humor as the foundation of their relationship. “It’s good to laugh together after a stressful day.”
Lively speeches, a city sunset and dancing on the bow under the Chicago skyline made for a memorable evening on the water — a celebration as warm and joyful as the relationship at the center of it.
Vendors
PHOTOGRAPHER Audrey Simper Photography
CEREMONY VENUE Peoples Gas Pavilion at Lincoln Park Zoo
RECEPTION VENUE City Cruises, The Odyssey Chicago River
FLORAL Poppy Flowers
PLANNER Redwood Weddings
HAIR & MAKEUP Anomalie Beauty Agency
BRIDE’S ATTIRE NEWHITE from Lovely Bride New York
GROOM’S ATTIRE Suitsupply
STATIONERY Minted
CATERING & CAKE City Cruises, The Odyssey Chicago River
ENTERTAINMENT City Cruises Live
TRANSPORTATION Chicago Cloud9 Limousine
