Room 1520 Wedding Photography

“This is what it’s like getting married in your 40’s” was what Kassandra told me about a dozen times during the planning process of their perfect Room 1520 wedding, but I don’t know anyone in their forties that gets down on the dance floor like these two 💀

K&T hired me through Ben Ramos Photography to photograph their day in 20 freaking 21 so this day has been a long time coming! But even longer for them, as their wedding day also marked TWELVE years of them being together. The pair celebrated in style with an all-star vendor team at Room 1520 in Chicago’s West Loop.

The wedding day.

This was my first wedding back in 2023 and despite feeling like I got hit by a bus the following day, it was an incredible day that was all about Kassy and Trevor. The pair opted not to have a wedding party (“because I’m in my forties” – Kassy) and it made their day a breeze for me as we had no wedding party and no additional locations on the schedule for wedding party photos.

We did their first look at the Marriot Marquis in the South Loop before heading to Room 1520 for family formals and additional wedding portraits prior to their ceremony starting. The pair also had their crazy dog Phife brought to the venue to get a few portraits with him, and while he wasn’t great for those, he walked down the aisle like a very good boy and sweetly sat staring at mom and dad while they tied the knot without a peep. We took additional extended family formals following the ceremony as cocktail hour started in the front half of Room 1520, and had an awesome taco bar catered by Cocina Fusion that ended with a churro bar and cake by ECBG Cake Studio (I wasn’t lying when I said we had an all-star vendor team from top to bottom)

“Arielle is the exact human you want in your corner on your wedding day. She is funny, kind, responsive and the one thing you absolutely need on your wedding day – CALM.” – K & T

I had a few weddings last season in which the couple opted against having a wedding party, and I’ll tell ya what, if it’s your thing, it’s really great. It allows a ton of buffer time in the getting ready process of the day because you’re not waiting to have your hair/makeup done, and it’s a solid to 30-60 minutes of extra time we’ll get to focus on your wedding portraits. But trust me, as someone who is having ten bridesmaids and ten groomsmen at her own wedding next fall, I know this is not for everyone and that is okay lol.

With either route you choose, if you have a solid wedding planner (or a photographer like me who has put together many timelines) helping you create an itinerary for your day, it is very much possible to have a laid back feel from start to finish on your wedding day. It takes some serious planning, time and effort by your vendor team, but when you are surrounded by an experienced team of professionals anything is possible.

Scroll to see some of my favorites from Kass and Trevor’s day!