Modern Love: Lanita & Lenard

Lauren Brocato Lauren Brocato | June 13, 2022 |

“After seeing The Langham, it was a no-brainer that was the venue I had to have,” Lanita says. They held both ceremony and reception in the Devonshire Ballroom.

This Chicago couple leaves no box unchecked in celebration of their much-anticipated big day.

Photographed by Imagery by Jules Photography

AT THEIR 14-YEAR anniversary celebration at Floating World Gallery, Lenard Coleman had a surprise in store for Lanita Braggs. “We were having an intimate dinner with close family and friends,” she remembers. “As the evening dwindled, I began thanking our guests for celebrating our special day; I assumed the night was coming to an end. Wrong!” Instead, Lenard led her into an adjoining room, where marquee letters spelled out “Marry Me.”

Nine months later, she did just that at The Langham, Chicago. At the ceremony, the duo jumped the broom. “It’s a tradition in African groups in the Americas, used to strengthen marriages during slavery among their communities,” Lanita says. Lenard’s goddaughter served as flower girl and the couple’s youngest son, Cade, was ring bearer, making the occasion a true family affair. “Although this may sound cliche, my favorite part was seeing my husband’s expression as I walked down the aisle,” the bride remembers.

For the reception, the hotel’s Devonshire Ballroom was draped and carpeted in all white for a look that oozed modern elegance with a nod to the winter season. Blush and neutral flowers and tall candelabras created a romantic atmosphere, and The Hiplet Ballerinas Company performed during dinner.

Guests were surprised and delighted at every turn—and there was even one surprise for the bride. “Our planner and Lenard arranged meetings to surprise me with a new BMW X7 the day of the wedding,” she says. “It was the most unexpected surprise ever.”

Centerpieces starred blush- and neutral-hued flowers and tall candelabras, and an incredible white floral installation hung over the dance floor.