Chicago Athletic Association Wedding — Fireworks & Fake Teeth, Oh my!
Some weddings are elegant. Some weddings are wild. And every once in a while, we get a wedding that is somehow both — beautifully emotional one moment, hilariously unhinged the next, and overflowing with the kind of joy that makes us fall in love with our job all over again.
That was Alec + Kyra’s wedding at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel, right in the heart of downtown Chicago. From a heartfelt rehearsal dinner to surprise dance-floor appearances (featuring kids, conga lines, and yes… fake teeth), this day had everything you dream of capturing as wedding videographers.
We’re Whole Heart Video, and this is the story of an unforgettable Chicago wedding weekend.
The Rehearsal Dinner: A Warm and Delicious Start
One of our favorite parts of this wedding actually started the night before. Alec + Kyra invited us to film their rehearsal dinner at their favorite restaurant in South Chicago. And let me tell you — the food was ridiculously good. We’re talking beautifully plated dishes, warm lighting, and a staff so kind you felt like family the second you walked in.
(Confession: we can’t remember the name of the restaurant. If you’re reading this and you were there — PLEASE email us and let us know! We need to give them the shoutout they deserve.)
Rehearsal dinner coverage is one of those optional add-ons that we wish every couple did. The energy is different — intimate, laid-back, sentimental. Parents give toasts they’re too nervous to repeat on the wedding day. Friends share stories that only come out before the formality of the big moment. And the couple gets time to breathe and really enjoy their people.
For Kyra + Alec, this night was a perfect warm-up: laughter, hugs, incredible food, and a room full of people completely ready to celebrate them.
Wedding Morning at the Chicago Athletic Association
The next day we arrived at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel, one of the coolest and most historic wedding venues in the city. The building has that perfect blend of downtown Chicago grandeur mixed with warm, old-world charm — wood paneling, vintage floors, stunning windows overlooking Millennium Park. It’s a dream location for any Chicago wedding videographer.
Inside the bridal suite, Kyra’s space was full of that wedding-morning buzz we all love: bridesmaids in matching outfits, last sips of coffee, music playing, hair spray in the air, and the gentle chaos that means the day is finally here.
But then something unexpected happened…
The dancing started.
Emotional First Looks: Bridesmaids + Dad
Kyra decided to do two separate first looks — one with her bridesmaids and one with her dad. And both moments were powerful in totally different ways.
The Bridesmaids’ First Look
These girls were fully prepared to cry, cheer, scream, collapse, or all of the above. And honestly? They did. When Kyra stepped into the room in her gown, the reaction was instant — hands over mouths, teary eyes, collective gasps. As filmmakers, these reactions are gold: pure, unscripted, explosive joy.
The Father–Daughter First Look
Then came one of the most emotional parts of the entire day. Kyra’s dad waited quietly, hands clasped, looking both nervous and excited. When he turned around and saw his daughter… whew. You could feel the weight of that moment — the love, the pride, the years leading up to that second. It was gentle, heartfelt, and one of our favorite father-daughter first looks to date.
These are the moments that become anchors in a wedding film — the ones families replay long after the wedding is over.
Alec’s Morning: Nerves, Laughter, and the Calm Before the Ceremony
Alec got ready in another suite with his groomsmen. It was a classic groom’s room: suits on hangers, ties being adjusted, friends cracking jokes to lighten the nerves. Alec was excited — you could see it in the way he kept straightening his jacket and pacing a little.
He and Kyra chose a traditional approach and decided not to do a first look. So this man had been waiting all morning to see his bride for the first time as she walked down the aisle, and that anticipation added a beautiful tension to everything that followed.
The Ceremony: Aisle-Moment Magic + Traditional Beauty
The ceremony took place at the Chicago Athletic Association, surrounded by gorgeous architecture and warm lighting. As guests settled into their seats, you could feel the weight of the moment building.
Then the music began.
The kids walked down first — a flower girl and ring bearer who immediately stole the spotlight with their tiny steps and oversized confidence. They were adorable, and the crowd absolutely melted.
And then it was Kyra’s turn.
As she appeared at the end of the aisle, Alec’s face changed instantly — eyes widening, shoulders softening, breath catching. This was the moment he’d been waiting for, and it did not disappoint. She looked stunning, and the entire room seemed to glow.
They exchanged heartfelt vows, held hands tightly the entire time, and sealed their promises with a kiss that had everyone cheering. It was sweet, elegant, and full of classic Chicago charm.
Downtown Fireworks — The Perfect Wedding Day Bonus
One thing about getting married on a Saturday in downtown Chicago? If you’re lucky, you get fireworks over the lake as part of your wedding day.
And guess what?
Alec + Kyra got lucky.
Right after the ceremony and portraits, as we were outside capturing some iconic Chicago night shots, the sky lit up. Bursts of color reflected off the skyscrapers and cast a magical glow around the couple. It felt cinematic — the kind of moment you couldn’t plan if you tried.
That’s the gift of downtown weddings: the city becomes part of your love story.
Portraits Around Downtown Chicago + Millennium Park
Because they didn’t do a first look, we had that classic newlywed excitement during portrait time. Guests were cheering as they walked by, horns honked, people clapped — it added this fun, celebratory energy to everything.
We ventured over to Millennium Park, capturing wide shots with the skyline, sweet newlywed close-ups, some playful spins, and the kind of in-between laughter that always ends up being a couple’s favorite footage.
Downtown Chicago was alive and buzzing — exactly the backdrop Alec + Kyra wanted.
The Reception: Fake Teeth, Conga Lines, Kids Everywhere… and Pure Joy
Now, let’s talk about their reception…
Because I swear, this was one of the most entertaining parties we’ve filmed all year.
The Chicago Athletic Association’s reception space was stunning: moody lighting, elegant florals from Hedonia Flowers, and an atmosphere full of warm wood tones and timeless Chicago style.
But then the fun started.
Fake Teeth
Yep. Someone pulled out fake teeth — the big, goofy, oversized kind. And somehow half the room ended up wearing them by the end of the night. Nothing breaks the ice like guests suddenly revealing cartoonish buck teeth mid-conversation.
Kids Taking Over the Dance Floor
There were a lot of kids at this wedding — and they were not shy. They danced. They raced. They spun in circles. They invented their own choreography. They dominated the limelight and made some of the funniest, most adorable footage we got all night.
Conga Lines
At one point the DJ from Okyné Media Lab kicked off a beat that turned into a full-room conga line. Parents, grandparents, friends, kids — everyone joined in. It snaked across the ballroom, out into a hallway, and back in again. We captured the whole thing and it’s glorious.
Dancing, Drinks, and Downtown Nightlife
Chicago weddings always hit a little harder on the dance floor. Something about that city skyline energy makes people let loose — and this group really leaned into it.
Vendor Dream Team
A wedding this fun doesn’t happen without a skilled vendor team working behind the scenes. Huge shoutout to the professionals who helped make the day beyond perfect:
Planning: Amelia Cole Events — https://ameliacoleevent.com/
Photography: Katie Kett Photography — https://katiekettphotography.com/
DJ: Okyné Media Lab — https://www.okynemedialab.com/
Florals: Hedonia Flowers — https://hedoniaflowers.com/
This team worked seamlessly to pull off a timeline that felt effortless, joyful, and beautifully paced from beginning to end.
Why We Loved Filming This Wedding
Every wedding is unique, but some weddings stick with us because of how they made us feel. Alec + Kyra’s weekend had that spark.
It had:
❤️ Emotional moments with real depth
😂 Unfiltered joy and hilarious surprises
💃 The most energetic dance floor imaginable
🌆 Stunning downtown Chicago views
✨ Fireworks lighting up the sky
📣 Vendors who worked together like magic
👨👩👧 A room full of families who really loved being there
As filmmakers, we crave authenticity, movement, laughter, and emotion — and this day had all of it. Their story unfolded naturally, beautifully, and with a level of fun that made the edit process almost as entertaining as the wedding itself.
Thinking About a Chicago Athletic Association Wedding?
If you're planning a wedding at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel, we can’t recommend it enough. The architecture, the location next to Millennium Park, the views, the historic charm — it’s a dream venue for both photography and videography.
And if you want a wedding film that feels emotional, energetic, and uniquely you, we’d love to capture it.
We’re Whole Heart Video, and we create cinematic wedding films full of personality, story, and vibrant Chicago energy.
📩 Reach out at: https://www.whvid.com/contact
🎥 Let’s make something unforgettable together.