The Wedding Story of Kelsi & Tyler Schwede

Photos ByJoshua 24.15 Photography

Written By

Date

October 17, 2018

The architecture of romance: An Industrial Venue Meets Urban Design

Kelsi and Tyler met in college as architectural students but, unfortunately, Tyler moved to Chicago after his senior year. However, their story would not end there as they reconnected and started dating when Kelsi started graduate school. Later, they celebrated her graduation by taking a trip to the Grand Canyon where Tyler popped the question. Kelsi says, “It was the biggest surprise of my life! I actually thought he was kidding at first. It was private, intimate and romantic. Everything I could’ve asked for.”

The Planning

As a goal-oriented woman, Kelsi knew just what she wanted for her wedding. Kelsi says, “We started the planning process by sitting down and outlining each of our top two priorities. For me, it was photography and the décor. For Tyler, it was the venue and the open bar.” With their priorities set, the couple went off to create the industrial, chic wedding of their dreams.

The Dress

Kelsi did a lot of searching to find the perfect dress. The work was well worth it though, resulting in her ideal Stella York dress. She says, “I felt like the best version of myself and could see myself getting married in it. After being frustrated while shopping, once I tried this one on, it was an easy choice.”

The Venue

The type of venue Kelsi and Tyler wanted was an obvious choice. They wanted one that would speak to their roots as designers. Kelsi says, “We were looking for a space with significant and beautiful architecture. That’s how we chose the Arts United Center. The building is actually a theater that was the last building designed by one of our favorite architects, Louis Kahn. It is a beautiful space that has exposed brick, concrete and the most beautiful lighting.”

The DÉcor

As architectural designers and creatives, Kelsi and Tyler made many of the décor pieces themselves. They designed their “K&T” marquee letters, candle holders, donut wall and light fixture for the head table. The couple opted for more subtle, neutral tones in their décor that would balance with the natural textures of the building such as the brick walls.

Special Touches

Kelsi and Tyler knew they had to incorporate tons of fun into their reception. So, the savvy couple collected some silly props for guests to rock out with on the dance floor. “This included horse heads, feather boas, funny hats, huge sunglasses and silly wigs,” says Kelsi. “Guests will remember how much fun these were and that the dance floor was always packed! The pictures are priceless! From the beginning, it was our goal to have an amazing party with our favorite people.”

What We Love

A wedding is truly a family celebration. Kelsi and Tyler bonded with their family by working with them to create items for the wedding. Kelsi admits, “You can’t do it all on your own. Allow the people that love you to help you.” This couple was able to create some once-in-a-lifetime memories by working closely with their loved ones before the wedding even took place.