THE COUPLE Aasha Holmes and Carlton McLendon’s first date was classic: They went to the movies. Five years later, they returned to Hyde Park’s Harper Theater, where the marquee read “Will you marry me?” Aasha remembers. “After I exclaimed ‘yes!’ we went into the very theater where we’d sat for the first time, and on screen was a video montage of our time together.”
THE DETAILS Their love for the cinema inspired a black-and-white color palette, down to the attire of their 380 guests, who were asked to wear formal black attire to contrast the couple’s ivory. “We then changed into red during our reception,” Aasha says. “No one was expecting it, and it was awesome to be dressed in color in a sea of black attire.”
THE PARTY It was not your typical dinner-and-dancing affair. The event featured a mentalist at cocktail hour, a 360-degree video booth, a live portrait artist creating watercolors of guests and more. The couple performed their fraternity and sorority sweetheart dances, indulged in a luxe dessert bar that included diamond-crusted doughnuts, and partied until 2 a.m.
Aasha and Carlton looked idyllic in ivory for the ceremony, then changed into red for the reception
Aasha tossed her bouquet to guests, who were asked to wear all black to contrast the bride and groom’s attire.
The newlyweds cut into a five-tier cake.
The black-and-white invitation suite
A live artist created fashion paintings of guests on site.
THE LIST
Wedding Planner Halle Neeley Events, instagram.com/halleneeleyevents
Bride’s Gowns Ceremony: Sareh Nouri, Kleinfeld, kleinfeldbridal.com; Reception: Elda De la Rosa, facebook.com/eldadelarosacouture
Bride’s Veil Olivia Bottega, oliviabottega.com
Hair & Makeup Hair: Brittany York, Windward Hair Salon, instagram.com/brittany_york; Bride’s Makeup: Dominique Spillman, Valencia’s World of Beauty, valenciasworldofbeauty.com; Bridesmaids’ Makeup: Glam Atelier, glamatelier.com
Groom’s Tuxes Jackets: Jojayden, jojayden.com; Pants & Shirt: SuitShop, suitshop.com
Rings Ethan Lord Jewelers, ethanlord.com
Bridesmaids’ Dresses Hayley Paige Occasions, Bella Bridesmaids, bellabridesmaids.com
Florals & Decor Kehoe Designs, kehoedesigns.com
Invitations& Place Cards Texture & Tequila, textureandtequila.com
Linens BBJ La Tavola, bbjlatavola.com
Rentals Tablescapes, tablescapes.com
Guest Book After the Tone, afterthetone.co
Entertainment Ceremony: DJ Joe Global, facebook.com/joeglobalentertainment; Cocktail Hour: Corey Barksdale, instagram.com/coreybarksdale; Windy Indie, windyindie.com; Reception: DJ Sean Mac, instagram.com/sean_mac_; Magician: Mark Toland, marktoland.com
Live Painter Ruth Oneya Illustrations, ruthoneyaillustrations.com
Portrait Artist Alyssa Love, alyssasurabian.com
Photo Booths Snapbooth Chicago, snapboothchicago.com; Pixster, pixsterchicago.com
Transportation M&M Limousine Services, mmlimo.com
Videographer Wholehearted Films, wearewholehearted.com
Photography by: Studio This Is
