Venue: Chicago Winery
Photographer: Kate Scott Photography

A Forest-Inspired, Greenery-Filled Celebration in Chicago

Katia and Olivia’s September wedding at Chicago Winery was a beautiful blend of urban sophistication and organic beauty. Set within one of Chicago’s most distinctive event spaces, Chicago Winery, their celebration embraced the venue’s industrial architecture while softening it with layers of living greenery, climbing vines, and forest-inspired floral design.

Rather than focusing on a traditional floral-heavy palette, the couple leaned into texture, foliage, and movement. Fresh greens, olive branches, wildflower accents, and carefully placed statement blooms transformed the winery into an indoor forest—one that felt modern, romantic, and connected to nature.

The result was a wedding that felt simultaneously contemporary and timeless, bringing the feeling of a lush greenhouse into the heart of the city.

Botanical Bridal Flowers and Hair Florals

Katia's floral styling extended beyond her soft green and white bouquet and into her hair, creating a cohesive botanical look from every angle.

A collection of individual wired blooms and greenery was woven throughout her hairstyle, accompanied by a coordinating floral hair comb featuring flowers and foliage pulled directly from the wedding palette. The effect felt natural and effortless, as though the flowers had grown into place.

For Olivia, longer olive branches were incorporated into her hair styling, creating a subtle laurel-inspired look that felt elegant, symbolic, and beautifully suited to the wedding’s foresty aesthetic.

A Forest-Inspired Ceremony Arch and Ceiling Installation

The ceremony design focused on creating a feeling of being surrounded by nature. Two tall floral arches framed Katia and Oliva’s ceremony space, echoing the architecture of Chicago Winery’s existing archways while introducing movement and softness through draping greenery, climbing vines, and layered foliage.

Designed to be approximately seventy percent greenery, the “broken arch” relied on texture and form rather than dense floral coverage. Strategic clusters of hydrangea, delphinium, dahlias, and other large-headed blooms created focal moments throughout the design while allowing the lush greenery and winding branches to remain the star of the show.

Draping vines and layered greenery transformed the ceiling into a living canopy, helping blur the lines between indoors and outdoors. Guests sitting and dining beneath the installation felt surrounded by nature, creating an atmosphere that was intimate and incredibly memorable.

The hanging greenery softened the venue’s industrial features while highlighting its soaring ceilings and contemporary design. The result of both the arch and the hanging greenery felt immersive and architectural—a modern interpretation of a forest ceremony inside an industrial venue.

A Reception Rooted in Natural Textures and Warmth

For the reception, the botanical story continued through layered tablescapes that felt collected, natural, and inviting. Each place setting featured a miniature potted succulent waiting for guests at their seats. These living favors added texture and personality to the tables while reinforcing the overall forest theme.

Mercury glass votives scattered throughout the tablescape provided a warm glow as evening settled in, creating a beautiful contrast against the greenery and natural materials. The combination of candlelight, foliage, and living plants made the reception feel warm and intimate despite the large scale of the space.

A Contemporary LGBTQ+ Wedding Inspired by Nature

Katia and Olivia’s wedding was a beautiful example of how greenery can be every bit as impactful as flowers. Through thoughtful design, layered textures, and a strong botanical vision, they transformed Chicago Winery into an urban forest filled with warmth, movement, and life.

From the living ceremony installations to the hanging greenery overhead and the succulents waiting at every place setting, every detail reflected their shared love of natural beauty and contemporary design.

Saville Flowers was honored to bring this vision to life, creating a wedding that felt organic, modern, and uniquely their own.