Drake Hotel Gold Coast Room Wedding | Ashley and Mike Part 2

May 29, 2019 Michelle Poteet

If you haven’t seen Part One of Ashley and Mike’s wedding day, which highlights their bridal details, getting ready, first look, and portraits, go check that out first. Then come back here for Part 2 of their amazing wedding day to see their elegant, classic, floral-filled wedding ceremony at the Gold Coast Room at the Drake Hotel and their second ceremony, a traditional Korean Pyebaek wedding ceremony in the French room.

I love every single wedding that I have the opportunity to photograph. Each one is SO special to me, and it is the biggest honor of my life to be such a huge part of so many different wedding days. I view it as one of the most important careers in the world. But I can honestly say that Ashley and Mike’s wedding day was one of my all-time favorites! One of the main reasons I loved it so much was their two different wedding ceremonies, which were so special and unique.

Check out both Mike and Ashley’s reaction to seeing each other as Ashley walked down the long aisle to Mike. This sweet couple did a first look, and spent the day together, but I love that they were still so emotional during their wedding ceremony, knowing they were about to become husband and wife.

The Drake Hotel is the perfect Chicago wedding venue for a classic, elegant wedding. It went so well with Ashley and Mike’s color palette of light pink, white, gold, and greenery and Ashely’s beautiful lace ballgown. Their first ceremony took place in the Gold Coast Room. It was such a touching, emotional Christian, Military ceremony. This was my first time photographing a Military ceremony. The saber exit for these two, conducted by the groomsmen who are also in the military, was so cool!

Then, while a majority of the guests were at the cocktail hour, there was a second ceremony, which was a traditional Korean wedding ceremony, called a Pyebaek ceremony, which took place in the French Room, another beautiful room for a wedding at the Drake Hotel. I love that Ashley and Mike incorporated their heritage and pieces of their story that were so special to them into their wedding day.

Ashley and Mike, enjoy your touching ceremony sneak peaks! Part 3 of the sneak peaks from your stunning wedding reception is coming soon!

A HUGE thank you to Ashley and Mike’s vendor dream team:

Chicago Wedding Photographer: Rakoteet Photography

Venue: The Drake Hotel

Florist: Juliet Tan Floral Design

Cake and Other Desserts: Joanne Buege - Sweet Food Chicago

DJ: DJ Dan - Precision Sound

Hair: Tony - Exsalonce

Catering: Shaun Rajah & Katerina Opalko

Bridal Gown: Alice in Ivory

Bridesmaid Dresses: Kennedy in Blue

Shoes: David’s Bridal