Chicago Line Cruises Wedding & Gilt Bar Reception

Sarah and Adam’s Chicago Line Cruises wedding happened in the city they loved, and in a way that felt true to them, and their story. It started at The Drake Hotel, continued aboard the Innisfree for their ceremony, and ended downstairs at The Library at Gilt Bar for dinner.

What they were going for was clear. It wasn’t going to feel like a formal wedding day. With good food, good drinks and their favorite people, it was going to feel like a day-long party. 

Getting Ready at The Drake Hotel

The day began at The Drake Hotel, a classic Chicago spot, before everyone moved to the river.

The hotel interiors worked beautifully for getting-ready photos, with gorgeous textures and warm light to play with. The history and character at The Drake made for an elegant start to the day. Sarah and Adam took their time, and eased into the day at a place they loved.

The Drake also made sense logistically. For a wedding moving through multiple Chicago locations, thoughtfully choosing your getting-ready location matters. With an intimate celebration, an intentional timeline can make all the difference in how present you can be throughout the day.

See more from Sarah and Adam’s full wedding day on Instagram.

Chicago Line Cruises Wedding on the River

Their ceremony took place aboard the Innisfree with Chicago Line Cruises. For a more intimate guest count of 58, the boat worked perfectly. It kept everyone close enough to feel part of the ceremony, and the river provided the perfect setting.

There was personal history here, too. The Innisfree was actually docked, just behind Sarah’s apartment for quite some time, so they had passed the very same boat countless times, and had no idea what it would end up meaning to them. 

From my perspective, a ceremony on the Chicago River provides so much opportunity to play with the changing light, constantly moving scenery, and even the movement of the boat itself. The wind in the air as you pass through the Chicago architecture is a stunning perspective to document a wedding from. 

See more of my Chicago wedding work in my portfolio.

Planning a Chicago River Wedding Ceremony

There are a few things I’d recommend couples keep in mind when planning a Chicago Line Cruises wedding or any ceremony on the river.

Build in extra transition time. Boarding, guest movement, weather, and river traffic all affect the pace of the day. A little extra time keeps everything from feeling rushed.

Think about wind. Hair, veils, paper goods, microphones, and florals all behave differently on the water. 

Consider the light. The river can create beautiful opportunities for photos with dramatic lighting changes, but it also changes very quickly as the boat moves between buildings. Make sure you have a photographer who has experience photographing in harsh light. Also allotting some time on the boat for portraits is something I’d highly recommend.

Keep the guest count intentional. Smaller weddings tend to feel especially natural on board. Guests can move around, talk easily, and stay connected.

Plan transportation carefully. A multi-location wedding in Chicago works best when transportation is coordinated well. With loved ones playing a role, Sarah and Adam’s day moved seamlessly from one location to the next.

Dinner at The Library at Gilt Bar

After the ceremony, everyone moved to The Library at Gilt Bar for dinner. From open and bright on the river, to warm and intimate at Gilt Bar, the shift made for a nice balance to their Chicago wedding day. 

The Library has a darker, more intimate vibe, with red tones, warm wood, and low light. It was perfect for a wedding reception that felt like a dinner party. The room has a beautiful atmosphere, which made the evening feel complete.

A wonderful team of vendors, including Coco Schramel Studio, Lus Floral, LaSalle Flowers, and Trumbull Tables all contributed beautifully to the floral and design direction. The decor was tasteful and supported the existing design and character of Gilt Bar.

See more from the Gilt Bar dinner and reception in this Instagram post.

A Gilt Bar Wedding Reception 

The dinner at Gilt Bar felt like the center of the evening. Guests were close, and as Sarah and Adam worked their way around the room, spending time with everyone, it was so clear that the people they invited were their priority.

I think what Sarah said in their feature on Anti-Bride sums it up beautifully.

“We both felt like our wedding day was not actually about us, our love and relationship could not be what it is without the people that moulded and shaped us. This day was a love letter to them…We wanted it to feel less like a wedding and more like a day long party with our favorite people in the world. And the food and drinks had to be top tier (and they were!).”

See more of my favorite moments from the day on Instagram.

What I Loved About This Intimate Chicago Wedding

One of my favorite aspects of Sarah and Adam’s wedding was how different each part of the day felt.

The Drake was quiet, reflective, and peaceful. 

The river aboard the Innisfree had movement, wind, skyline, and light. 

The Library at Gilt Bar brought warmth, intimacy, and beautiful editorial details.

It was an honor to be part of an intimate wedding that was so well coordinated that it felt both relaxed and elevated. It was intentional, it was connected, and there was a gorgeous variety. That’s when an intimate wedding can be so successful. With a smaller guest count, couples can choose locations for the experience, feel and connection. 

See more Chicago intimate wedding inspiration on my Pinterest.

Kind Words From Sarah

“I look over our photos almost every day. He is beyond talented, calm, cool and had a way of capturing our day that was surreal.” 

Documentary Wedding Photography in Chicago

As a Chicago wedding photographer, I’m drawn to wedding days like this. Intimate weddings with connection and elegance. A boat ceremony, a historic hotel, and a low-lit restaurant reception all ask for something different and I love bringing my documentary-style approach to capturing them all. 

For couples planning a Chicago wedding on the river, at a historic city landmark, or anywhere that feels authentic to your story, I’d love to connect. Reach out through my contact page to chat more about what you’re planning. 

Vendors

Photography: Bradley Moss // Planning: Sarah’s Sass & Boss Kruse // Getting Ready Venue: The Drake Hotel // Ceremony Venue: Chicago Line Cruises // Reception Venue, Catering & Beverages: The Library at Gilt Bar // Boat Design & Florals: Trumbull Tables // Personal Florals: LaSalle Flowers // Additional Florals: Coco Schramel Studio & Lus Floral // Hair: Kara Gazzo & Meraki Room Chicago // Makeup: Ronnie Wozniak // Cake: Sweet Syleste // Catering & Beverages: Happy Lobster // Wedding Dress: Sarah Seven // Reception Dress: Georgia Hardinge // Rings: Marrow Fine & Blair Weiner