Audrey & Andrew: Classy Hilton Chicago Oak Brook Hills Resort Wedding
About the Couple
Audrey and Andrew met in October 2020 at the wedding of some mutual friends, and from there, they would describe their love story as the result of a “Hallmark movie meeting.” Their friends did their very best to set them up at the wedding reception, and after the dancing ended that night, Andrew realized he forgot to ask Audrey for her phone number!
Luckily they were able to connect online, and what followed was a brilliant long distance romance with Andrew returning to his hometown of Dallas, and Audrey to her native Chicago. The pair quickly bonded over their mutual appreciate of Disney and Lego. Their first date was a phone date that last more than six hours (Wow!) from about 9 am until 3 pm.
And…as all good Hallmark movies tell us, the rest was history.
All about the venue at Chicago Hilton Oak Brook Hills Resort
As part of the Chicago Hilton portfolio of properties, the Oak Brook Hills Resort rests on a beautifully-landscaped 150+ acre estate. Weddings at the Oak Brook Hills Resort are crafted around you and your vision for the wedding day: With two outdoor patios for garden style ceremonies, a four-season event pavilion, and an elegantly-appointed Grand Ballroom, there’s a space to fit every wedding vision.
The resort is equipped to host weddings of almost any size, with capacity for a seated wedding dinner reception for as few as 40 or as many as 850 guests, and onsite accommodations. This suburban Chicago wedding venue provides liability insurance, dressing areas for the bride and groom, as well as options for catered appetizers, bar and drinks, and dinner with specializations for a variety of ethnic traditions and dietary needs. Additional amenities include onsite wireless internet and in-house service staff along with a dedicated event Manager.
My favorite feature of the Oak Brook Hills Resort wedding venue is by far the estate grounds — just steps away from each of the four ceremony locations is a beautiful tableau of scenery for your formal wedding portraits, including tree-lined trails, reflecting pools, gardens with seasonal flowers, and a scenic bridge.
My Favorite Moments
Audrey chose to get ready in the Wheaton, IL home where she spent her childhood years. With sunlight streaming through her family’s front door and into the vaulted entryway, I photographed Audrey’s gown, jewelry, and personal details as I listened to the sounds of joy and excitement in the next room over — her mom, Sophia, was hard at work making sure everyone had plenty to eat and drink as Audrey’s bridal party of twelve ladies rotated through the makeup chairs.
But my morning at Audrey’s house was filled with more than just laughter and fun. Our time together together was interspersed with heartfelt moments as Audrey stepped aside to open a special gift delivered by Andrew. To commemorate their wedding day, Andrew lovingly prepared a scrapbook of their relationship up until this point, with photos, notes, and mementos of their courtship.
Meanwhile, my associate photographer, Stacy, spent time hanging out with Andrew and his groomsmen as they got ready at the Oak Brook Hills Resort. Andrew chose to blend his wedding day details with equal parts Audrey and Star Wars (now a Disney property — thanks, George Lucas!), laying out his book of handwritten vows alongside his favorite lightsaber.
When the three of us met on Zoom to plan their wedding photography timeline, Audrey and Andrew independently expressed to me two core values of their wedding day: the joining of their two families, and the importance of keeping God at the center of everything. Audrey’s youth pastor officiated their ceremony overlooking the beautiful grounds of the Oak Brook Hills resort. Before the pair exchanged their vows, they shared in a time of praise and worship with their friends and family, accompanied by cello, harp and vocals.
Audrey and Andrew’s parents took time during the ceremony to pray over the new couple, sharing their best wishes for the new marriage ahead. This was a special moment for Stacy and I to photograph — I don’t think there was a dry eye anywhere!
The Oak Brook Hills Resort wedding reception was a reflection of Audrey and Andrew’s values as their family and bridal party members shared toasts and best wishes for the happy couple, we truly felt as if we were attending a large family reunion! Audrey and Andrew even integrated their love of Disney into the reception details with a custom “To Infinity and Beyond” cake topper!
Thank you, Audrey and Andrew for including us in your wedding celebration, and may God bless your partnership together for years to come!
Chicago Hilton Oak Brook Hills Resort Wedding Ceremony
Chicago Hilton Oak Brook Hills Resort Wedding Reception
Are you engaged and planning a wedding at the Chicago Hilton Oak Brook Hills resort?
If you’re recently engaged and planning a Chicago Hilton Oak Brook Hills Resort wedding, I would love to serve you on your special day! My availability for 2022 is extremely limited so please contact me as soon as possible to secure your date.