weddings

Elegant Chicago Wedding Photography at Room 1520: Kassandra and Trevor

04/04/2023

a couple holding hands during their wedding in chicago, il

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“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!

room 1520 wedding photos after a couples first look
room 1520 wedding portraits after the couples first look
room 1520 wedding first look with dad
room 1520 wedding family photos
room 1520 wedding portrait outside of the venue in front of street art
room 1520 wedding portraits in fulton market, chicago
room 1520 wedding portraits outside of the venue in fulton market, chicago
room 1520 wedding portrait of the couples dog
room 1520 wedding ceremony inside the venue
room 1520 wedding design by bou k bridal
room 1520 wedding florals by bou k bridal
room 1520 wedding cake by ecbg studio
room 1520 wedding portrait
Trevor is a DJ so their florist, who also happens to be my wedding florist :’) built this massive cassette tape escort wall and each name card was a cassette tape with a QR code on it that linked to a spotify wedding playlist. The coolest thing.
room 1520 wedding portrait
room 1520 wedding portrait
room 1520 wedding portrait
room 1520 wedding portrait
room 1520 wedding entrance
room 1520 wedding toast
room 1520 wedding toasts
room 1520 wedding father daughter dance photos
room 1520 wedding first dance photos
room 1520 wedding reception photos

All photos taken for Ben Ramos Photos.

Vendor Team:

Photography: Arielle Gallione, Ben Ramos Photography

Video: Joseph Lotz

Venue: Room 1520

Catering: Cocina Fusion

Florals and Decor: Bou-K Bridal

Planning: Nicole Fauls, Urban Allure Events

Hair and Makeup: Lueur Beauti

Dress: Gilded Rose Altelier, Karen Willis Holmes Bridal

DJ: Cage + Aquarium

Paper Goods: Minted

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Artist's statement

hi, i'm Arielle.

I am an empathic lover girl. Gift giving is my love language. I love deeply, and am unwaveringly passionate about caring for others. Years of experience combined with an empathetic heart have allowed me to anticipate moments that truly capture the essence of your wedding day. I strive to create photos that feel perfectly, yet effortlessly, you. 

Your wedding photos should become apart of your legacy. They deserve to be family heirlooms. You should be able to look at them and remember exactly how you felt in those fleeting moments. 

I specialize in blending documentary photo journalism with fine art, creative portraiture. I aim to capture every moment with intention and care - from event design and perfectly curated details to the unedited joy of you on the dance floor with your best friends. From intimate, single night events to multi-day destination productions, I strive to tell stories within your photo galleries that are a perfect reflection of you. 

It is an honor to be the person behind the lens on your wedding day, and it is one that I will never take for granted.

xo,

Arielle

 

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Arielle has photographed over 250 weddings across 12 states, 6 countries, and 3 continents. While her heart beats for coastal and countryside Italian weddings, she is willing to travel anywhere and everywhere to document your day.

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