post-298-2021-11-05T16:17:10-05:00
Best of list

Incredible Ballroom Transformations

We are constantly astounded by the amazing ballroom transformations we see in Chicago’s top hotels. The city’s best decor pros and planners can take a ballroom and transform it into something magical. Herewith, a few of our favorite transformations.

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL CHICAGO

Best ballroom transformations - FOUR SEASONS HOTEL CHICAGO
Photo by KingenSmith

Ballroom: Grand Ballroom

Planner: Hope Weis Consulting

Photographer: KingenSmith

Transformation Tale: The romantic couple wanted their wedding to look like a forest at night. As you can see, they definitely succeeded!

View more photos

HILTON CHICAGO

Best Chicago ballrooms - HILTON CHICAGO
Photo by Yanni Design Studio

Ballroom: Grand Ballroom

Planner: Reva Nathan

DecorYanni Design Studio

PhotographerYanni Design Studio

Transformation Tale: The wedding featured an elaborate caviar and vodka bar (“the largest I have ever seen in my 40 years in this industry,” said one employee) and magnificent florals everywhere. The place card table literally appeared to float on thousands of blooms of flowers and hundreds of candles all suspended in Lucite framing that reflected like mirrors.

View more photos

THE RITZ-CARLTON CHICAGO

Best Chicago ballrooms - THE RITZ-CARLTON CHICAGO
Photo by Kehoe Designs

Ballroom: Grand Ballroom

Planner: Linda Alpert

DecorKehoe Designs

Photography: Kehoe Designs

Transformation Tale: The inspiration for the wedding came from the bride, Jaclyn Abrams, because of her line of work in the fashion design and development industry. Her vision was to have something classic, but with a twist. The combination of baby’s breath and vintage mirror tables in various sizes and shapes is what gave the room its unique appeal.

View more photos

INTERCONTINENTAL CHICAGO MAGNIFICENT MILE

Best Chicago ballrooms - INTERCONTINENTAL CHICAGO MAGNIFICENT MILE
Photo by Nakai Photography

Ballroom: King Arthur Court Ballroom

Planner: Jan Ehrenberg

DecorHMR Designs

PhotographerNakai Photography

Transformation Tale: For grooms Matt and John, it was about doing something different. They didn’t want the traditional sit-down affair and decided to incorporate passed courses instead of a traditional sit-down dinner. The room was decorated with a variety of lounge areas (with couches, tables and comfortable chairs), giving a more modern twist to the classic Tudor styling of the space.

View more photos

WALDORF ASTORIA CHICAGO HOTEL

Best ballroom transformations - WALDORF ASTORIA CHICAGO HOTEL
Photo by Andre LaCour

Ballroom: Sinclair Ballroom

Planner: Dillon Nauert (Small Wonders Event Production & Design)

DecorYanni Design Studio

Photographer: Andre LaCour Photography

Transformation Tale: At the initial consult, the bride’s vision was “understated elegance” for her overall design. She requested a natural, organic feel with the use of ferns, wispy branches and birch accents. Her wish was to create an outdoor ceremony in an indoor space. The total transformation between ceremony and reception took only one hour. To accommodate the complicated room turn the hotel staff preset all dining tables and placed them behind the air wall.

View more photos

TRUMP INTERNATIONAL HOTEL & TOWERS CHICAGO

Best Chicago ballrooms - TRUMP INTERNATIONAL HOTEL & TOWERS CHICAGO
Photo by Nakai Photography

Ballroom: Grand Ballroom

PlannerSQN Events

DecorKehoe Designs

PhotographerNakai Photography

Transformation Tale: For this New Year’s Eve wedding, the ballroom was transformed into a glamorous and sparkling show-stopper! The tall arrangements with large splays of floral mimicked fireworks, while the custom round dance floor winked at the couple’s logo of a clock set to midnight projected above the head table. Other arrangements featured globes of crystals as a nod to the iconic ball drop in Time’s Square. Disco balls over the dance floor completed the look by adding moving, glistening starlight all around the room.

View more photos

KNICKERBOCKER HOTEL

Best Chicago ballrooms - KNICKERBOCKER HOTEL
Photo by Edward Fox Photography

Ballroom: Crystal Ballroom

DecorYanni Design Studio

Photographer: Edward Fox Photography

Transformation Tale: Shimmering, varied heights of crystal globes with alternating manzanita trees, fresh floral accents and lots of warm candlelight glow set the tone for this magnificent winter wonderland wedding.

THE DRAKE HOTEL

Best Chicago ballrooms - THE DRAKE HOTEL
Photo by Kevin Weinstein Photography

Ballroom: Gold Coast Ballroom

PlannerLOLA Event Productions

Decor: Event Creative

Photographer: Kevin Weinstein Photography

Transformation Tale: Featured behind the mandap was a backdrop that featured a custom designed Ganesh—the same custom graphic featured on the invitation and throughout the wedding. Placed under the mandap were a pair of low, white leather chairs, as well as a white leather pillow with an oversized gold tassel for the priest.

View more photos

PALMER HOUSE HILTON

Best Chicago ballrooms - PALMER HOUSE HILTON
Photo by Claudiu Voichin

Ballroom: Grand and State Ballroom

Planner: Larissa Goldenberg

Decor pro: Yanni Design Studio

Photographer: Claudiu Voichin

Transformation Tale: Complemented by the existing ornate detail on the ballroom, linens of understated gold and crisp white (accented by large red-budded floral topiary candelabras) created an inviting welcome to guests. From arranging the first tables and chairs to setting the first course, total set-up time took approximately seven hours.