Sparkly Disco-Themed Wedding Featuring Amazing Dance Party
Dorothy Downstairs is a cool Chicago wedding venue that turns your reception into a 1970s speakeasy. I used direct flash photography to convey the vision and energy at this disco-themed wedding. The nonstop dance party was a perfect celebration of E and J’s love story.
In this blog post:
A Wedding Reception at Dorothy Downstairs
E and J held their disco-themed wedding reception at Dorothy Downstairs in Chicago. Like all of their vendors, Dorothy Downstairs in queer owned. It’s such a fun place to have a vibey, colorful celebration.
I love Dorothy Downstairs for a disco-themed wedding because its decor is so on point. The whole place feels like a 1970s speakeasy with warm oranges, reds, and greens. Plush fabrics cover the furniture and provide inviting spaces for conversations.
Because this Chicago wedding venue is a bar, it’s designed for socializing and dancing. You don’t have to do much in terms of decor to have the disco dance party of your dreams.
Here are some helpful details for planning an event at Dorothy Downstairs.
Venue Type: Indoor
Capacity: 120 guests
Starting Cost: While this isn’t publicly available, comparable venues start around $5,000.
Dorothy Downstairs is located at the edge of the Smith Park and Ukrainian Village neighborhoods. The bar is close to beautiful spots, including Humboldt Park and Garfield Park. If you want some nature in your wedding portraits, it’s easy to find lush spots for rpe-reception photos.
Sparkly Details for E and J’s Disco-Themed Wedding
I was lucky enough to meet E and J before they were even engaged while I was photographing a wedding in Denver. We immediately hit it off. As they shared more of their story, I couldn’t help being drawn in. Here’s what E told me leading up to their wedding:
“[It] sounds cheesy, but I knew I was going to marry her within the first week. As we got to know each other, we learned that we have been passing each other for most of our lives. She is from Denver and went to UCLA for college. While she was in California, I was traveling there every 3-6 months from Illinois to visit family. She eventually graduated and moved to Chicago for work. That same year, I moved to Chicago to attend college and we lived one block away from each other and regularly went to the same bars and gym. We wouldn't end up meeting until 5 years later in the middle of the pandemic. We had both been through a lot in 2020 and learned so much about ourselves. It was as if the lessons were preparing us for each other. We proposed to each other on a magical trip to Europe."
How sweet is that??
Before their reception at Dorothy Downstairs, E and J had an intimate rooftop ceremony. They kept the guest list short for that celebration and expanded it for their reception held later on. The two-part wedding gave them the best of a small wedding and a bigger one.
On the weekend of their reception, E and J rented out the Publishing House Bed and Breakfast. They got ready in a sunny suite, and their friends from out of town were able to stay there. I loved photographing E and J in this space.
Energetic Flash Photography
E and J didn’t have to go all out to decorate for their disco-themed wedding because Dorothy Downstairs was already on theme. They did make sure to wear sparkly, disco-inspired outfits. Guests were encouraged to “wear something you have no reason to wear anywhere else.” It was a recipe for a fashion-filled night.
I wanted to make sure that E and J’s wedding photos preserved their vision and the energy of the night. Their friends showed up ready to party in the coolest outfits. As soon as everyone arrived, they greeted each other with animated conversations. Once the dance floor opened, eager dancers flooded it.
For this disco-themed wedding, I used a lot of direct flash photography. Direct flash is fun because it feels so in the moment. It gives you the sense that you’re in the middle of the party, and it gives the portraits an editorial edge.
I can’t wait to photograph another disco-themed wedding! Are you looking for a Chicago wedding photographer? Inquire with me!
Thank you to the vendors who helped make this disco-themed wedding reception so amazing.
Photography: AJ Abelman Photography
Getting Ready Venue: The Publishing House Bed and Breakfast
Reception Venue: Dorothy Downstairs
Catering: Vilanelle