From the venue down to the most subtle details, Mark and Jeff’s wedding at Adler Planetarium was unmistakably theirs. With a bold, out-of-the-box design and meaningful cultural touches honoring Mark’s Filipino heritage, every element felt intentional. Instantly recognizable from a single photo, this was the kind of design-forward wedding we’ll still remember decades from now. We were fortunate to be involved from the very beginning, working alongside Mark and Jeff for over ten months to bring their vision to life.

Mark and Jeff’s seven-year love story began online while Mark was preparing to move to Chicago. From the start, they brought one of our favorite combinations to the planning process: decisiveness and great taste. They came to us having already secured their venue, so our work together focused on refining their ideas into a cohesive, elevated design direction that truly reflected who they are.

Flatlay of a blue and gold Art Deco wedding invitation with purple flowers

Groom getting ready for his wedding at Adler Planetarium

Adler Planetarium: A Chicago Wedding Venue with Iconic Views

Chosen for its breathtaking skyline views and lakefront setting, Adler Planetarium was a perfect fit for Mark and Jeff’s wedding. With many guests traveling from out of town, the couple wanted to offer a quintessential Chicago experience—and Adler delivered in every way. As their planning team, we were thrilled with the venue choice. We love working at Adler, and this wedding also meant collaborating once again with Diana Streit of Food for Thought. Her role as catering consultant, manager, and venue liaison makes her an invaluable partner on wedding days like this.

Wedding party portraits in Downtown Chicago

Wedding party portraits in front of the Chicago skyline

Wedding portraits in front of the Chicago skyline

Storytelling Through Design at Adler Planetarium

The venue served as a natural foundation for the design, which we developed in close partnership with Atmosphere Events Group. Every visual detail—from florals and linens to signage and lighting—was curated with intention. The overall aesthetic leaned moody and atmospheric, inspired by space nebulae and layered with moments of whimsy. Rich jewel tones were accented with gold, while Art Deco–inspired signage tied everything together, creating a unified look and feel throughout the space.

The true showstopper of the evening was a custom-built lighting installation affectionately known as “the cloud.” Introduced by Mark during our very first design meeting, the concept was described as an “amorphous nebula structure,” reminiscent of storm clouds at night. Suspended above the dance floor and programmed to alter throughout the evening, it became a defining design moment—one that was unique to Mark and Jeff’s wedding.

Wedding flowers by Atmosphere Events Group

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Fall wedding cake decorated with purple and burgundy flowers

Event Shoppe Chicago - Chicago Wedding Planner

Honoring Filipino Heritage Through Food, Fashion & Dance

While design played a major role, honoring Mark’s Filipino heritage was equally important. Born in Manila and deeply connected to his culture, Mark was intentional about weaving Filipino traditions throughout the celebration.

The experience began with food. A whole suckling pig was displayed during cocktail hour before being plated as one of the dinner entrée options: Lechon Kawali. Filipino influences also appeared in the appetizers, dessert bites, and late-night snacks. These touches offered Mark’s family members—many of whom traveled long distances—a meaningful taste of home.

After dinner, Mark and Jeff changed out of their tuxes and into custom-made barongs. The garments were not only beautiful and culturally significant, but also far more comfortable for a night of dancing. The dance floor opened unforgettably when FIA Cultural, a Filipino student dance troupe, surprised guests with traditional performances during dinner. A money dance followed, officially kicking off the party.

Grooms kissing during dinner at their wedding reception

Wedding desserts by Bittersweet Pastry Shop

A Rainy-Day Pivot, Seamlessly Executed

While our memories of the day are sunny, the weather itself had other plans—rain forced the ceremony to move indoors. Although the decision was made early, it created an extremely tight timeline for both the design team and The Andrew Blake Band. Thanks to strong collaboration and quick thinking, the transition was seamless. In the end, Mark and Jeff were surprised to find they loved the indoor ceremony! It created an intimacy that felt perfectly aligned with their day.

By Whole Heart Video

Mark and Jeff were dream clients—but more importantly, they are exceptional humans. Kind and generous individually, they are even greater together. Their love for one another and for their community was evident in every decision they made. It was truly an honor to be part of their journey and to help bring such a meaningful celebration to life at Adler Planetarium.

If you’re dreaming of a Chicago wedding that’s an honest reflection of your story, we’d love to help. Whether through Full Service Planning, Partial Planning, or Wedding Management, our team is here to guide you every step of the way. Reach out to connect with us, or schedule a discovery call—we can’t wait to hear about your vision!