This past weekend was the Gay Pride Parade in Chicago, a world-famous celebration along Halsted Avenue. The colorful celebration means so much to so many. Their website denotes the 45th Annual event’s history as:

The annual Pride Celebration commemorates the rebellion of LGBT patrons of the Stonewall Inn in New York City’s Greenwich Village in response to a routine police raid on June 27, 1969. The following year, a “Gay-In” that took place on June 27, 1970 that was the early progenitor of the current Pride Celebration. Since 1972, the event has been held every year, Since its modest beginnings, Chicago Pride has grown to be one the largest and most well-known Pride events in the world. Pride has come to symbolize several things: the long history of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer dignity, the freedom of all people to meaningfully and proudly express their sexual and gender identities, and the commitment of LGBT people to combating oppression. 

At Art of Imagination, we are especially proud to celebrate with the LGBTQ community this year in particular. This year marks the first where everyone, no matter gender, race, or any other quality that makes us all unique, is able to get married and enjoy the celebration of love to their chosen partner. Love is Love… and it should be celebrated no matter what!!!

Belinda & Phyllis’ civil union at Centered Chef was unique in so many ways. The Buddhist ceremony included florals from Fab Floral that were all living, never cut.  To celebrate life, each guest took home the centerpieces with notecards describing how to care for their succulent and how to nurture the life to bloom. The couple invited their guests to be an integral part of the day. Multiple friends and family members were invited to speak during their ceremony. Guests also participated in interactive cooking demonstrations, from mocktails to crepes.

The simple and elegant design of the space added to the couple’s simplicity. Our designers used soft ivory fabric with amber lighting to create a focal area for the ceremony. The light emoting from the structure created the spiritual energy that the ladies were looking for. These fabulous photos were taken and provided by Liesl Diesel Photo.

Our work at the Rookery Building was recently part of a civil union that was historic in a small way – it was the first such union performed at the 130+ year-old Chicago landmark. Kevin & Patrick were such a sweet couple – the way they showed affection during the ceremony touched everyone in the audience.

The two had a Scottish -inspired Jewish ceremony complete with a chuppah that brought both their cultures in a unique way. For their event we draped both the lower and upper levels with our standard ivory linen fabric, along with a dramatic entryway display of light and fabric – scroll down for the images.

Visit Kevin Weinstein‘s website to view his portfolio. Toast and Jam kept the party moving all night – visit their website. Catering by George Jewell. Chuppah & florals by Anthony Gowder.