ON NEW YEAR’S EVE 2019, Jake Bernstein had a vivid dream that gave him the perfect idea for a proposal. Eighteen days later, he left notes that led girlfriend Nina Rosen on a scavenger hunt across the West Loop, ending on the rooftop of Little Goat Diner, where Jake got down on one knee in the snow.
The couple’s summer wedding was likewise full of uberpersonalized elements—starting with the dress, a custom gown designed by the bride and team at Mira Couture; pussy willow-patterned lace and turquoise buttons on the sleeves paid homage to Nina’s grandmother.
After a Jewish ceremony, the sun set over the skyline as 150 guests moved into a reception tent bedecked in shades of soft pink that beautifully and intentionally contrasted the blue of Lake Michigan. An escort card display was another personalized labor of love: Leading up to the wedding, the couple dug up photos with each guest and printed them as Polaroids. “Each guest’s escort card was an old memory of them with the bride and groom,” Nina says.
Later, as partygoers danced and enjoyed warm skillet cookies, fireworks lit up the sky overhead. “It was such a perfectly clear night; it felt as though the fireworks were raining down on us,” Jake remembers. “It was truly a culmination of the love and excitement at the wedding, and such a momentous way to cap it off.”
The couple’s fourposter chuppah featured arrangements of white and pink roses, lisianthus and ranunculus. Photographed by Connie Marina Photography
Their minimalist invitation suite featured gray print on light beige paper—and “the envelopes were addressed with personalized stamps featuring our dogs in bow ties,” Nina says.Photographed by Connie Marina Photography
Fireworks exploded over Navy Pier—and even matched the wedding’s color palette!—during the reception. Photographed by Connie Marina Photography
Polaroids featuring photos with each guest served as escort cards on a greenery backdrop. Photographed by Connie Marina Photography
Globe lights adorned with greenery hung over the dance floor for the tented reception. Photographed by Connie Marina Photography
Both dance floor and aisle were covered with white latex “to make them really glisten,” says the bride. Photographed by Connie Marina Photography
Venue & Catering Offshore, drinkoffshore.com
Wedding Planner Johnna Van Dien, Great Events Inc., greateventschicago.com
Bride’s Gown & Veil custom, Mira Couture, miracouture.com
Bride’s Hair & Makeup Hair: Megan Michel, instagram.com/megmichelhair; Makeup: Alyssa Cruz, alyssa-cruz.com
Groom’s Tux custom, Knot Standard, knotstandard.com
Florals Flowers for Dreams, flowersfordreams.com
Invitations Stationery Works, stationeryworks.com
Escort Cards FoxPrint, foxprint.com
Linens BBJ Linen, bbjlinen.com
Rentals Hall’s, hallsrental.com
Entertainment New Groove, H.Y.P.E Productions, hypeproductions.com
Tent Partytime-HDO, proem.org
Videography Weddings With Motion, weddingswithmotion.com
Accommodations Sable at Navy Pier, sablehotel.com
Photography by: Photographed by Connie Marina Photography
