DL LOFT LOVE: TARA + DAN

Updated: Jun 27, 2018

Tara is a favorite bride, and a favorite friend, and a favorite Chicago photographer. Her beyond beautiful wedding inside DL Loft is our every frenchy chic fantasy come true: Marie Antoinette meets enchanting.

Tara and Dan filled DL Loft with meaningful touches inspired by their UK heritage and European travels.

First came a vintage tea party with family, followed by cocktails and dancing with friends. The one person missing from the celebrations was Tara’s dad, who was in Hospice at the time (and has since passed away.) Tara chose to honor him with butterflies throughout the decor - so absolutely beautiful.

DIY tip:

Tara invested months of pre wedding planning to collect heirloom items from loved ones, many of whom have passed, to use in the decor. Since our reception was in a space that replicates a Paris pied-a-terre, it made more sense to have items you might find in someone’s home (framed photos, family china, little trinkets, etc.) to dress the space than rentals. I felt a strong sense of connection to our day doing this, both in collecting the items and then seeing them displayed in the space. Plus, this saved us a ton of money that we were able to invest in other things.

Guests enjoyed a seafood station, charcuterie, pulled pork cigars, wagyu beef sliders and lobster bisque while sipping on signature cocktails, wine and champagne.

Trend Alert:

His and Hers custom cocktails are thoughtful, personal, and delicious. Serve up your favorites for the cocktail hour to kick off the reception in style.

Drawing inspiration from Marie Antoinette, Tara envisioned towers of sweets as the focal point of dessert bar. Macarons (her all time favorite, no matter how trendy they may be), meringues, and a croquembouche, all in white with golden butterflies, plus cookies with dried flowers, lemon blue berry tarts, mini eclairs (her Dad’s favorite dessert) and Cinderella blue petit fours with a fondant wax seal to match the wedding invitation.