Non-Traditional Ballroom Wedding
A ballroom may typically fall into the category of a “traditional” wedding, but with a black gown, no suit jackets, purple hair, succulent-accented florals, and a “Til Death” theme, this wedding day was anything but. Casey & Taylor had been together for more than a decade before their Tinley Park Convention Center wedding, and celebrating their non-traditional style in this classic space was nothing short of badass, just like them.
A black wedding dress
The black gown Taylor wore was the centerpiece of her bridal style, and she rocked it beautifully. With black heels whose sparkle matched the subtle details of her wedding dress, it was the perfect palette with her colorful tattoos and dynamic purple mane. I loved the way she highlighted her own personal style in her wedding day look, shirking tradition and going her own way.
The getting ready spaces for Taylor and Casey had such a casual vibe, just like they do in their everyday life. So much of the focus was on a chill, laid back feel with loved ones hanging out as they got dressed and ready.
Tinley Park convention center
The Tinley Park Convention Center itself is a massive campus, located just 30 miles from Chicago in the heart of the midwest and home to a massive meeting and convention space. However, it also holds over 200 hotel rooms and tons of easily convertible ballroom and meeting spaces, making it a great blank canvas for weddings.
Exploring the area
A great way to make your wedding day unique from other weddings in the same space is by exploring what’s nearby for your portraits! After a first look at the hotel, we headed over to a nearby forest preserve for photos of Taylor and Casey, their wedding party and their families. Bringing gorgeous greenery and some variety to their photos really made these photos pop, and it was the perfect space to show off Taylor’s custom jacket.
I opted for more black and white images in this galley than usual as it fit Taylor and Casey’s non-traditional style so perfectly. For their wedding party images we drew inspiration from band album images, before spending some time featuring some of their favorite people: the kiddos in their lives!
I love this image of Taylor looking like a punk rock Disney princess!
Taylor and Casey requested solo portraits of their parents during family portraits, and it was so special. Both are close to their families and look to their folks as an example of partnership, and these photos are some of my favorites from this wedding day.
A simple space
This outdoor space overlooking the Tinley Park Convention Center’s sprawling campus was a simple and classic host for their ceremony. Everyone was in tears watching these two marry after so many years together, and Taylor’s vows about how Casey is “supremely underrated” were so sweet, romantic, and perfectly them. I loved this window into their relationship (and the silly kiddo activities happening off to the side, too).
Non-Traditional wedding decor
From the black table cloths to the purple and blue uplighting to the “Til Death” neon, this reception space was completely transformed from basic ballroom bland to full on non-traditional and cool. It was such a statement and really spoke to Taylor and Casey’s personal rock and roll style. Using your wedding decor to reflect your non-traditional style transports your guests to a world all your own.
The perfect Photo Booth accessory for a couple obsessed with their cats? These custom pet cutouts!
Planning a non-traditional wedding in a traditional wedding space? I’d love to hear more about your plans. Reach out, and let’s get the conversation started!
Thank you to the vendors who made Taylor & Casey’s wedding day possible:
Florist: Betty’s Flowers
Hair: Tina Sobol
Makeup: Lueur Beauti
Cake: Creative Cakes
DJ: Groove is In the Heart
On Taylor: Cocomelody
On Casey: JC Penney