Minimalist Winter Wedding at The Joinery Chicago

Leah and Aaron’s wedding at The Joinery Chicago had a really cool, minimalist vibe. It was cozy and so true to their personalities. They wanted their photos to be full of natural moments, the candid reactions, time spent with guests, all of it. All the things that would transport them back to the feeling of the day. (My kind of people!) From the moment we first talked, I knew we’d be a great fit, since that’s how I love to approach photographing weddings. The warmth of brick and wood beams at The Joinery, along with the natural light pouring in through the skylight, set the scene beautifully for one of my favorite winter weddings.  

For another white winter wedding, Kayla and James' wedding spanned from The Walden to portraits at Union Station under the iconic Christmas tree! 

A Cozy Wedding at The Joinery

I had already gotten to know Leah and Aaron during their engagement session in Wicker Park. Their meet-cute was like something out of a rom-com, meeting at a book club, and things just took off from there. They are the kind of people that are easy to be around, and such a joy. That personality was very present on their wedding day at the Joinery.

They kept their wedding party tight with three people on each side. Their design choices were simple and natural. Leah wore a clean, long sleeved gown and carried colorful flowers that stood out against The Joinery’s pale brick. Put together, the design was understated and gorgeous.

The Joinery suited that style really well. The main event space also has a massive skylight and lets in plenty of natural light. I love that the space gives couples room to add in their character and personality with a few key design choices to keep things simple and really timeless. 

If you’re looking for a mix of candid photos and guided portraits when you’re feeling a bit uncertain, read more about my approach to Chicago weddings.

A Ceremony Full of Personality & Reception Full of Family

We started with Leah getting ready upstairs at The Joinery before everyone came together for the ceremony. Aaron entered in full character, wearing his cowboy hat! His western alter ego made an appearance for his walk down the aisle, showing his goofy side that everyone knows and loves.

Leah came down the stairs for her entrance (no cowboy hat), and the two of them read out their personal vows in front of their guests. I love when couples choose to share a moment so intimate with their closest people who are there to witness it.

This is also where documentary photography is the most rewarding. There’s no need to orchestrate or guide every moment of a wedding day. It’s another skill entirely to have the timing and attentiveness to frame and capture not just the shot, but what it really felt like. It means so much to hear my couples say that their ‘images perfectly encapsulated the joy and love of their special day,’ like Leah and Aaron did! The look on their faces as they walked back down the aisle is really the moment to me that most shows that joy and love they were feeling.

By reception time, the room had taken on a completely different mood. The daylight faded, the string lights warmed up the space and everything felt intimate, close knit. A family style dinner of Thai food by Jewell Events Catering made it feel like a big family event. As the dance floor opened, it was parents and grandparents who showed they understood the assignment. They were out there immediately, pulling everyone onto the floor for those wide eyed moments of pure fun that I love photographing. 

This restaurant wedding at Beatnik West Town is one of my favorite examples of a photo-documentary style approach to wedding coverage! 

Why I Love Weddings at The Joinery

One thing I love about The Joinery is how beautifully it looks in different light throughout the day. During the day, the natural light from the skylight and white walls are bright and clean. Perfect for the ceremony, wedding party photos and guests shots. As the sun goes down we transition into a dreamy, romantic soft light for the start of the reception. When it gets dark, it’s perfect for flash photos during the reception and dinner.

The venue is also pretty unique for Chicago, since it has both covered and uncovered patio space. Leah and Aaron stepped outside with me for their couple portraits, which gave us another setting and a different feel for photos without adding travel time into their wedding day timeline. 

Everything for this particular wedding happened at The Joinery, which was super convenient and helped them spend the most time they could with friends and family. Really, that was only possible because of how much visual variety we were able to create from one space. We had the white brick indoors, warmer wood details, the outdoor patio and a completely different feel in the room once the reception kicked off. For more details on both the indoor spaces, the outdoor spaces at the Joinery, as well as the long, very helpful list of all the amenities they include for each wedding, check out the details on their site! 

The Joinery works as a perfect wedding venue for intimate weddings because it has the warmth and character of a smaller space, but it’s not cramped. The brick and wood details in natural light are such a great canvas for simple design elements to really shine. Even being able to get up to 160 guests, you still feel cozy in the space. For Leah and Aaron, the smaller wedding party and natural decor elements made them feel right at home.

For more details and emotional moments of their day, follow along on Instagram! 

Kind Words From Leah + Aaron

“Audrey was an absolute joy to work with on our wedding day. From our very first interaction, Audrey was warm, direct, and upbeat, putting us at ease and helping us feel confident in front of the camera. Her creative vision shone through in the incredible photos she captured. She directed us expertly to look our absolute best, and was always looking to try new and innovative angles and shots. 

The final results were beyond anything we could have imagined, with beautiful, vibrant images that perfectly encapsulated the joy and love of our special day. We are thrilled with the work Audrey did for us and would recommend her to any couple looking for a talented, personable, and truly exceptional wedding photography experience.”

Planning Your Intimate Winter Chicago Wedding?

Leah and Aaron’s wedding at The Joinery was such a good example of why I love photographing couples who care more about being present with their people. I love to provide guidance when needed and I also love stepping back to capture the honest, funny and emotional moments happening around you. If you’re planning your cozy winter wedding in Chicago, I’d love to chat! Reach out to see if we’d be a good fit for your wedding day.

Photography: Audrey Simper Photography // Wedding Coordination: The Final Touch Chicago // Chicago Wedding Venue: The Joinery // Catering: Jewell Events Catering // Content Creator: Ever After Archives // DJ: DJ Tess // Cake: Defloured