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
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!
HILTON CHICAGO
Ballroom: Grand Ballroom
Planner: Reva Nathan
Decor: Yanni Design Studio
Photographer: Yanni 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.
THE RITZ-CARLTON CHICAGO
Ballroom: Grand Ballroom
Planner: Linda Alpert
Decor: Kehoe 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.
INTERCONTINENTAL CHICAGO MAGNIFICENT MILE
Ballroom: King Arthur Court Ballroom
Planner: Jan Ehrenberg
Decor: HMR Designs
Photographer: Nakai 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.
WALDORF ASTORIA CHICAGO HOTEL
Ballroom: Sinclair Ballroom
Planner: Dillon Nauert (Small Wonders Event Production & Design)
Decor: Yanni 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.
TRUMP INTERNATIONAL HOTEL & TOWERS CHICAGO
Ballroom: Grand Ballroom
Planner: SQN Events
Decor: Kehoe Designs
Photographer: Nakai 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.
KNICKERBOCKER HOTEL
Ballroom: Crystal Ballroom
Decor: Yanni 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
Ballroom: Gold Coast Ballroom
Planner: LOLA 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.
PALMER HOUSE HILTON
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.